John H. Moores facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John H. Moores
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| Member of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1870–1874 |
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| Constituency | Marion County |
| Mayor of Salem, Oregon | |
| In office 1864, 1866-1868 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 26, 1821 Huntsville, Alabama |
| Died | December 16, 1880 (aged 59) Salem, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Virginia Lafayette Lamon |
John Henry Moores (born June 26, 1821 – died December 16, 1880) was an important businessman and politician in Oregon. He was born in Alabama. In 1852, he moved to the Oregon Territory. There, he became a state senator and also served as the mayor of Salem.
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John Moores' Early Life
John Henry Moores was born on June 26, 1821, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was the oldest child of Isaac R. Moores and Jane Alexander. John grew up in Danville, Illinois. Later, he moved to Benton, Missouri, where he started working. On May 11, 1847, Moores married Virginia Lafayette Lamon.
Moving to Oregon
In 1851, John Moores returned to Danville, Illinois. The next year, in March 1852, he began a long journey west. He traveled over the famous Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory. John joined his family on this trip. They all arrived in Portland in November 1852. In March 1853, he moved to Salem.
Business Ventures in Salem
In 1856, John Moores started a business with his younger brother, Isaac R. Moores, Jr.. They ran a general store in Salem until 1865. A general store sells many different kinds of goods. They also built a brick building in the city, which was called the Moores block. Today, the Pioneer Trust Building stands on that spot.
Serving the Public
John Moores was very active in public service. In 1858, he briefly served as the mayor of Salem. This was before the city's rules were officially approved by the state government. He had also been on Salem's very first city council.
He returned to the mayor's job in 1864. Then, he served three more times in a row, from 1866 to 1869. In 1870, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate. This is part of the state's government that makes laws. He represented Marion County for four years as a member of the Republican party.
John Moores also helped manage money for Marion County as its treasurer. He was on the board of trustees for Willamette University. This means he helped guide the university. He also served on the school board for Salem and the Oregon State Agricultural Society.
Later Business and Public Works
Moores bought the South Salem Flour and Lumber Mills. In the 1870s, he sold part of it. He combined the lumber part of the business with the Capital Lumbering Company. From June 1876 until he died, he worked as a manager and secretary for this company.
He was also part of a special group with George H. Atkinson. They chose the locations for the Oregon State Insane Asylum (now called Oregon State Hospital) and the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Later Life and Family
John’s wife, Virginia, helped start Salem’s Children's Aid Society in 1865. This group helped children in need. John and Virginia had several children: Charles B., Albert, Gertrude, Bertha, Carrie, and Althea. Their son, Charles, later became a representative in the Oregon House of Representatives. He was even the Speaker of the House in 1895.
John and Virginia were also members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Salem. John Henry Moores passed away on December 16, 1880. He was 59 years old. He was buried at Salem Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, where many of his family members are also buried.
