Isaac R. Moores, Jr.

Infobox Politician
name = Isaac R. Moores, Jr.


imagesize =
caption =
office = Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
termstart = 1864
termend = 1865
constituency =
nominator =
appointer =
predecessor = Joel Palmer
successor = F. A. Chenoweth
office2 = Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
constituency2 = Marion County
termstart2 = 1862
termend2 = 1865
nominator2 =
appointer2 =
predecessor2 =
successor2 =
birthdate = February 14 1831
birthplace = Danville, Illinois
deathdate = death date and age|1884|7|25|1831|2|14
deathplace = Portland, Oregon
party = Republican
spouse = Ellen R. Lamon

Isaac Ross Moores, Jr. (February 14 1831–July 25 1884) was an American businessman and politician in the state of Oregon. The son of Isaac R. Moores, he was born in Illinois and moved to the Oregon Territory in 1852. In Oregon, he would serve in the Oregon House of Representatives, including as Speaker of that body.

Early life

Isaac Moores, Jr. was born in Danville, Illinois, on February 14 1831.Corning, Howard M. (1989). "Dictionary of Oregon History". Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 169.] His parents were Isaac senior and the former Jane Alexander. [http://www.open.org/pioneerc/pg31.html Burial Details.] Salem Pioneer Cemetery. Retrieved on March 24 2008.] Siblings included John H. (June 26 1821-December 16 1880), Martha A. (February 1 1824-March 23 1847), Mary Matilda (January 21 1826-April 20 1864), and Charles W. (November 2 1828-June 10 1864). Isaac junior was educated in the local schools of Illinois before leaving for the gold fields of California in 1850.Hodgkin, F. E., & Galvin, J. J. (1882). Pen pictures of representative men of Oregon. Portland, Or: Farmer and dairyman Pub. House. pp. 153-154.] He returned to Illinois in 1852 after failing to gain a fortune.

Oregon

In 1852, the Moores family traveled the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory, arriving in Portland in November. Isaac settled in Yamhill County where he worked as a surveyor. In October 1854, he moved to capitol, Salem. In Salem, he worked as a clerk for J. N. McDonald’s mercantile store before buying it out in 1856 with his brother John. Moores was appointed as postmaster for Salem on April 14 1855, and held the position until October 1858. [Bell, Sue. [http://www.salemhistory.net/people/postmasters.htm Salem Online History: Salem's Postmasters.] Salem Public Library. Retrieved on March 24 2008.] On September 2 1856, he married Ellen R. Lamon and they would have seven children including Charles B. Moores. In 1861, with the outbreak of the American Civil War he joined the Oregon Volunteer Militia. Moores was selected as colonel of the second regiment, but the militia remained in Oregon and never saw action.

In 1862, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. [http://www.sos.state.or.us/archives/legislative/histleg/statehood/1862reg.HTM Oregon Legislative Assembly (2nd) 1862 Regular Session.] Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on March 24 2008.] Moores served as a Republican representing Marion County. At the next session of the legislature in 1864 he served again, and was elected as Speaker of the House. [ [http://www.sos.state.or.us/archives/legislative/histleg/statehood/1864reg.HTM Oregon Legislative Assembly (3rd) 1864 Regular Session.] Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on March 24 2008.] He also served as Speaker during the 1865 special session of the legislature. [ [http://www.sos.state.or.us/archives/legislative/histleg/statehood/1865spec.HTM Oregon Legislative Assembly (3rd) 1865 Special Session.] Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on March 24 2008.] His brother John would later serve in the Oregon State Senate and as mayor of Salem.

Later life

In 1866, he sold out his mercantile business and was appointed by Governor George Lemuel Woods as clerk to the State Board of Land Commissioners. The following year he was one of the incorporators of the Oregon Central Railroad, and served as president of the railroad for a time. Moores left the State Board in 1870 and was appointed as land commissioner to the Oregon & California Railroad, remaining in that position until his death. He was a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and on the Common Council of Salem. Isaac Ross Moores died of apoplexy in Portland on July 25 1884, at the age of 53. He was buried at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery where his father was buried.

References