Robert M. MOORE, who for thirteen years has been successfully engaged in the hardware business at Columbus City, is a native son of Louisa county and one of its highly esteemed citizens. He was born on a farm in Columbus City township, July 31, 1848, a son of Mitchell and Margaret (ORR) MOORE, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. They were married in their native state and came to Iowa in 1842, settling in Columbus City township. Here Mr. MOORE entered two hundred acres of land and engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. There were nine children in the family, namely: F. J., who served as county supervisor for six years and is not deceased; D. W., who resides in Des Moines; Jane, who is now the wife of John ROSSENBERGER, of Oklahoma; John S., deceased; Joseph M., who served as a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Ebenezer, who died at the age of three years; Anna J., who became the wife of J. H. RICHIE, of Allerton, Iowa; Robert M.; and Margaret, who became the wife of L. L. BAIRD, of Ringgold county, Iowa, and is now deceased.

In the common schools Robert M. MOORE received his preliminary education and on his father's farm he became acquainted with all classes of work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. After reaching maturity he ran a ditching machine for three years and then rended one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated to good advantage. He bought eighty acres, upon which he lived for ten years, and then disposed of it in order to enter the hardware business in Columbus City, where he has made his home since 1898. He has applied himself closely to mercantile pursuits and has built up a lucrative patronage, being also the owner of his home in Columbus City.

On the 12th of September, 1872, Mr. MOORE was married to Miss Lizzie J. BAIRD, a daughter of John and Mary (ATCHESON) BAIRD. There were nine children in the BAIRD family, namely: J. Calvin, deceased; Lizzie J.; Euphemia, who is the wife of W. W. ORR of Albia, Monroe county, Iowa; Thomas L., of Ringgold county; Nettie, who married J. J. MOORE, of Louisa county; and Ella, Lina, Emma and Sherman, all of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. MOORE four children were born: Mary, who is engaged in teaching school at Columbus Junction; Maggie and Lilly, both of whom are deceased; and J. Fred, who is filling the position of principal of schools at Columbus City.

Mr. MOORE is a stanch friend of education and is known as one of the enterprising and progressive men of Columbus City, who is always willing to contribute his share toward the development of the best interests of the community. he has made a conscientious study of political and social questions and as a result gives his support to the prohibition party, believing that the saloon is one of the greatest evils with which the country is afflicted. He is a man of high character and worthy ideals, and as he is always strightforward in business he has earned the confidence and esteem of the people irrespective of religion of political bias.

SOURCE:
SPRINGER, Arthur. History of Louisa County, Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1912 Vol. II. Pp. 523-24. S. J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1911

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009