Pat Moore



Pat and Mary E. (O’Brien) Moore

Pat Moore, one of the progressive and successful farmers of Allamakee county, owning three hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 28 and 27, Iowa township, was born in New York state in 1855, and is a son of Martin and Julia Moore. The parents, who were natives of Ireland, came to America in the late ‘40s, making the journey before their marriage, the father settling in Canada and the mother in New York. In the latter state their marriage occurred and they made their home there for a short period, coming in 1855 to Iowa and settling in Iowa township, Allamakee county. Martin Moore preempted here one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he later added from time to time, finally accumulating a valuable property, which he operated and developed until his death in 1912. He had survived his wife one year. To their union were born eight children, of whom the subject of this review is the second in order of birth.

Pat Moore acquired a limited education in the public schools of Allamakee county, laying aside his books at the age of sixteen in order to begin his independent career. For a number of years thereafter he worked as a farm laborer, but when he was twenty-three years of age purchased land in Lansing township, upon which he resided for twenty-three years, becoming well known in the community as an upright and honorable business man and a successful farmer. At the end of that time he sold his holdings to his sons and purchased in Iowa township three hundred and thirty-seven acres, which he now operates. Two hundred and seventy acres are under cultivation, and upon this land he has steadily carried forward the work of development, owning today one of the finest farms in this vicinity as a result of his careful labor and practical methods.

Mr. Moore married, in 1879, Miss Mary E. O’Brien, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Hogan) O’Brien. The eldest of three children, Mrs. Moore acquired her education in Allamakee county, and after completing it taught for seven years in the schools of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have six children: John G., who was born in 1880, and who is now residing on the homestead; Cornelius E., also on the homestead in Lansing township; M. W., Celia T. And Catherine, all of whom live at home; and Leonard F., a graduate of the grammar school. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.

Mr. Moore gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but is independent in his views. He has served as township trustee and in other local offices and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, although never an office seeker. Having resided in Allamakee county since his childhood, he is interested in all that pertains to the substantial improvement and development of the community and is generally regarded as a worthy and loyal citizen and a progressive and practical farmer.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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