General S. MOORE, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 10, 1830. His father, Riley MOORE, was a native of Virginia, of Irish parentage, and died in 1847, while in the service during the Mexican war. His grandfather, Riley MOORE, was a soldier of the Revolution, and died in 1844, aged 101 years. His mother, Mary Ann (DYER) MOORE, was a native of Virginia. His parents had a family of eight children – Isaac W., Owen, Elizabeth, Andrew Jackson, General S., Sarah, John and Nancy.

Mr. MOORE resided in his native county until twelve years of age, then came to Moultrie County, Illinois, thence to Champaign County, where he lived about fifteen years. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools and at home.

He was married April 17, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth JOHNSON, a native of Indiana, daughter of James and Juriah JOHNSON. In September, 1855, Mr. Moore, with wife and one child, came to Iowa, locating in Monroe County, until April, 1856, when he came to Ringgold County, and settled in Lott’s Creek Township, on section 5. He improved the land and resided upon it until August, 1862.

August 10, 1862, [at the age of 33 years] he enlisted [from Mount Ayr, Iowa] in Company G, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry. While in the service he received a wound which fractured a knee joint, an injury from which he has never recovered. He was honorably discharged May 31, 1865, at Memphis, Tennessee [and mustered out of service on June 4, 1865], and returned to his home.

A short time after his return he engaged in the mercantile trade at Caledonia, starting with a capital of $450, which he conducted in such a successful manner that in a few years the annual sales of the establishment were over $20,000. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster and served until 1882, when he resigned. In 1884 he closed out his business. He was elected county supervisor and took his seat January 1, 1882. He was one of the board that purchased the poor farm and erected the court-house. He has served in several township offices. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the most liberal supporters.

Mr. and Mrs. MOORE are the parents of six children – Mary Helen, Brewer, Owen F., Isaac W., Florence and Cordelia. James H. and Frederick A. are deceased.

Mr. MOORE has a valuable residence in town, a one-and-a-half-story building, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and well furnished. He owns 144 acres of land adjoining the town, and twenty-seven town lots. He has given his children a good education, and they are well fitted to take part in the active duties of life. He commenced life without means; but by industry and good management he has acquired a fine property. Politically he is a Republican.

NOTE: General S. MOORE died January 19, 1914. Elizabeth A. (JOHNSON) MOORE died at the age of 68 years 8 months and 20 days on June 13, 1901. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

James R. JOHNSON was born in North Carolina on June 11, 1810, the eldest son of Robert W. JOHNSON (ca. 1792-1837) and Anna "Bess" (CHAMBERS) JOHNSON (1789-1875). Brothers James and Abraham JOHNSON married sisters Juriah and Lucinda WOOD, daughters of John and Kitty (McFARLAND) WOOD. According to family legend, Kitty died when Lucinda was 10 months old and the girls were raised by their older sister Margaret. James and Juriah were married in Putnam County, Indiana, on August 21st, 1831, and they eventually moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, settling in Lotts Creek Township. Juriah (WOOD) JOHNSON was born in March of 1812, near Bullet, Kentucky, and died at the age of 90 years on August 2, 1902, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. James R. JOHNSON died February 24, 1863, Caledonia, Ringgold County, Iowa. James and Juriah were interred at Caledonia Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. James and Juriah were the parents of seven children, Elizabeth (JOHNSON) MOORE being their first-born child.

Frederick A. MOORE was born in 1869, and died July 12, 1871, with interment at Caledonia Cemetery, Caledonia, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
"Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County," p. 394, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z