John C. Moore (Denver mayor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John C. Moore
1st Mayor of Denver
In office 1859–1861
Preceded by	none
Succeeded by	Charles A. Cook
Personal details
Born	Early 1830s Pulaski, Tennessee
Died	October 27, 1915 Excelsior Springs, Missouri

John C. Moore (born in the early 1830s – died October 27, 1915) was an important American politician. He became the very first official mayor of Denver, Colorado. He served in this role from 1859 to 1861.

John C. Moore was one of the first people to settle in Denver. This was when the area was still a United States territory. Besides being a mayor, he was also a newspaper journalist and publisher. He worked on newspapers in several cities, including Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Pueblo, Colorado. During the American Civil War, he held important military ranks. He was a judge adjutant general and a colonel in the Confederate States Army.

Early Life and Education

Where John C. Moore Grew Up

John Courtney Moore was born sometime between 1830 and 1834. His birthplace was Pulaski, Tennessee. When he was a small boy, around 1840, his family moved to St. Louis. He grew up there.

His father, John S. Moore, was a doctor. He helped start the first medical college west of the Mississippi River.

Moore's College Years

John C. Moore received a good education. He studied at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He also attended Yale College. After finishing his studies, he worked as a lawyer in St. Louis.

Life in Colorado

Arriving During the Gold Rush

This picture shows what Denver looked like in 1859. You can see settlers in Auraria and Cherry Creek village. These places were near where the South Platte River and Cherry Creek meet. There were only a few small cabins back then.

John C. Moore came to Colorado during the exciting Pike's Peak Gold Rush. He arrived on June 27, 1859. When he first got to the area that is now Denver, there were only a few cabins. These cabins were in places called Cherry Creek village (which became Denver) and Auraria. The town of Highland was also starting up.

People traveled by wagon train to reach this new area. But within just one year, these small settlements grew a lot. Soon, overland coaches regularly brought people and mail from the Missouri River area.

Becoming Denver's First Mayor

This image shows Larimer Street in Denver in the autumn of 1860. A large steam boiler is being pulled by five pairs of oxen, all the way from the Missouri River.

In 1859, John C. Moore was chosen as a Territory Representative. He represented the 1st District. On December 19, 1859, he was elected mayor of Denver. At this time, Denver was part of the Jefferson Territory.

In January 1860, he started working with the City Council. Their goal was to create a proper city government. This government was part of the Jefferson Territory's provisional (temporary) government. It followed the laws of the Kansas Territory. The three towns of Auraria, Denver, and Highland joined together. They officially became the city of Denver in March 1860.

Moore also started a daily newspaper called the Denver Mountaineer. This newspaper supported Southern viewpoints. He was also a member of the Colorado Pioneers' Society.

Civil War Service

Joining the Confederate Army

When the Civil War began, Moore went back to Missouri. He first served with the Missouri State Guards. He was under the command of Sterling Price. Moore fought in the Battle of Pea Ridge. He was part of a group of soldiers from St. Louis.

During the Battle of Prairie Grove, he helped Colonel Robert G. Shaver.

This is a Hardee Pattern Flag. It belonged to the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment, also known as the 18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Marmaduke's).

Later, he became an officer in the Confederate States Army. He was a friend and schoolmate of General John S. Marmaduke. Moore became Marmaduke's chief of staff. He also helped Marmaduke in a duel with another Confederate General, Lucius M. Walker.

Moore served with General Marmaduke until the Battle of Mine Creek. At that battle, the general was captured. Moore then became a judge adjutant general for Arkansas for six months. He also earned the rank of colonel while serving under General Joseph O. Shelby. He was known for serving with great skill.

After the War Ended

After the Civil War finished, Moore and Shelby did not want to surrender their forces. They went to Mexico and served with the French under Maximilian.

Moore also wrote the "Missouri" section for a book called Confederate Military History.

Life After the Wars

Newspaper Work

After the wars, Moore returned to St. Louis. He worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. Then, he moved to Kansas City. There, he started his own newspaper, the Kansas City Times.

He later came back to Colorado and lived in Pueblo. In Pueblo, he started two more newspapers: the Pueblo Democrat and the Pueblo Press. After that, he returned to Kansas City.

Personal Life

Family and Final Years

John C. Moore married Pauline Harris. Pauline was the daughter of Alexander L. Harris. Her father was the mayor of Kansas City.

John and Pauline Moore had four children. Their names were Harris, Courtney, and Sidney. They also had a daughter who married a man named Charles Cole. John C. Moore passed away on October 27, 1915. He died at the home of his son, Harris L. Moore, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.