Thomas L. Moore
Thomas L. Moore, who was born near Mooretown, in Ross Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, January 6, 1851, has spent his entire life in this county and is a representative of one of the old and leading families of this section. Mr. Moore owns a one-half interest in 678 acres of land lying in sections 21, 22 and 23, Ross Township. His father was Cyrus and his grandfather was Mordecai Moore.
Mordecai Moore was born near Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. When he came to Ross Township, Jefferson County, he possessed so little of this world's goods that, in the light of future events, the following story is very interesting. The workmen on the salt well near Mooretown were his boarders and through some misfortune or delay about delivering his suplilies, the honest Quaker awoke to the fact one day that he had no meal with which to feed the hungry men in his kitchen. In this emergency he applied to the miller at Mooretown for the loan of a bushel of meal, but Miller Coe declined to trust him and from there he went to a neighbor named Henry Crabb, who, against the advice of his wife, loaned the bag of meal. Within one year, Mordecai Moore had acquired enough capital through his industry and prudence, to buy the mill of Mr. Coe and about the same time purchased the salt well, it then not being a paying proposition. Mr. Moore was a shrewd business man; he saw methods that would improve the output of the well and he believed that by substituting coal for wood hie could reduce cost of production. After acquiring the salt works he operated them profitably. He hauled the salt over the mountains and at first secured $14 a barrel in the eastern markets. On one occasion he lost his entire load when fording Yellow Creek. He became a man of wealth, at one time owning 2,000 acres of land in Jefferson County, and no man ever accused him of obtaining one foot of it dishonestly. He was held in the highest esteem and lived the upright life of the religious body to which he belonged. He served one term as county surveyor of Jefferson County, and served also as a county commissioner. In association with his son. Abner, he owned and operated a woolen factory at New Lisbon, O., for several years. Cyrus Moore, a brother of Mordecai, was of Carroll County and he was the first man to bring sheep into Eastern Ohio and both brothers became important in the sheep industry. Mordecai Moore died at the age of sixty-nine years and was buried in the Pravo Cemetery at Mooretown. He was universally mourned for he was so universally respected. Although he was far richer than his neighbors the fact was recognized by them that he had better judgment than they and that his wealth was all acquired through legitimate channels. "He never would hold a lease or mortage on his neighbors' farms and, although strict in business matters, he never was more strict with others than with himself. He married Mary Lauglilin and they had nine children, two of whom died in infancy.
Cyrus Moore, father of Thomas L. and son of Mordecai Moore, was born near Mooretown and there grew to manhood. When old enough he joined his father in his various enterprises and paid particular attention to dealing in cattle and sheep and made many trips over the mountains with his flocks and herds. He married Jane {atterson, who was born near Zion Church in Ross Township, and they had eight children born to them, four of whom survive. An interesting story is told of Mary Armstrong, who was the mother of Mrs. Cyrus Moore. She was born in Ireland and accompanied her father to America. He entered the Patriot army and was made a captain of artillery and when the British stormed Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, his wife baked bread and made coffee for the soldiers, and it was little Mary who carried the food and sustaining drink to the artillerymen.
Thomas L. Moore resides on land that was a part of his grandfather's farm and his father's homestead. A sister, Margaret Moore, resides with a brother, Cyrus C, who is an eminent physician in Philadelphia. Another sister, Mary (Dallas), lives about four miles south of Smithfield. Mr. Moore married Miss Eliza Cogsil, a daughter of Oliver Cogsil, of Carroll County, Ohio, and they have four children: John C, William P., Eugene G. and Elizabeth. Mr. Moore was reared in the United Presbyterian Church.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910