Charles Henry Moore, biography c. 1926
[New Encyclopedia of Texas]
 
 
 
 
  Source: Davis, Ellis A. and Edwin H. Grobe, eds. New Encyclopedia of Texas. Dallas, Tex.: Texas Development Bureau, 1926. Vol. II, p. 1134.
 
     
     
 

CHARLES HENRY MOORE — In the history of the lumber industry of Texas, the name of Charles Henry Moore occupies a prominent and important place as a man who pioneered and blazed the way for those who are today leaders in this great industry. When he entered this field of activity, methods were crude, and with a progressive spirit he adopted modern ways of manufacturing and marketing the products of the forest. In 1870, when he entered this business in Texas, the virgin pine forests of Texas and Louisiana were so extensive that there appeared to be enough lumber in them to furnish the entire world throughout the ages to come. He witnessed a complete revolution in which the business was handled from the cutting of the timber by a few people in a small mill and hauling was done by ox teams. He saw the immense tramways built to the forests and the iron horse of commerce in the form of railroads enter the vast saw mill districts and carry the finished products to every portion of the globe. Mr. Moore was always one of the most progressive and publicspirited citizens of the Island City, and after his retirement from business he served in an official capacity with some of the largest and most important institutions of the city until his death on February 3, 1926. He served as president of the Edgewood Land and Logging Company, MillerVidor Lumber Company, vice president of the LockMoore Company, Texas Bank and Trust Company, Texas and Gulf Steam Ship Company, American Indemnity Company, and was a director in the First National Bank of Galveston and the Doe Estates Company of San Francisco.

Mr. Moore began very young as a school teacher in his native State, and in 1862 he went to California and became associated with his uncle in the sash, door and blind business, where he learned every branch of this industry, and remained in this line of endeavor in California until he came to Galveston in 1867 and engaged in this line of business for himself. He later engaged in the lumber business, both manufacturing and retail, and under the name of C. H. Moore and Company, established the first factory for making interior woodwork that was established in this portion of the State. In 1876 he engaged in the general lumber business with W. F. Stewart and Company, and continued in this branch until 1880, when he sold his interests with this firm and joined A. J. Perkins of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and continued with this firm as a member until the death of Mr. Perkins in 1893. The firm then became known as Moore and Goodman, and is now conducted by Mr. Moore's two sons and Mr. H. B. Goodman under this name, and is one of the largest companies of its kind in the city.

Mr. Moore was born at Freeport, Cumberland County, Maine, on August 10th, 1842. His father, Ira Moore, was a pioneer school teacher in the State of Maine, and was also engaged in farming. His mother was Miss Martha Doe, a member of a well known Maine family. His education was obtained in his native State, in York County, where through close application he finished school at a very early age, and engaged for a short time in teaching.

Mr. Moore was married in California in 1871 to Miss Ida Kilburn, a daughter of Wells Kilburn of Napa, California, who was well known in the business circles of the Golden State. They had two children, Kilburn and Bartlett D. Moore. Mr. Moore was a member of the Hoo-Hoos and B. P. O. E., and always took an active interest in the affairs, both civic and political, of Galveston, and served for one term as alderman. Mr. Moore never failed to take a keen interest in everything pertaining to modern life, and believed that all the changes which have taken place in the business and social world were for the betterment of this generation and those to come. Out of the spirit of the pioneers of yesterday, men of loyal devotion, energy and progressiveness, has emerged the Lone Star State of today with its immense activities. To these builders of yesterday, who laid foundations, is due much of the success of the present and future eras. In the list of pioneers in the lumber industry of the State, no name stands out with greater prominence and noae is more worthy of honorable mention, not simply as one of the makers of the greatest industry this State has ever known, but as a leading spirit of the Southwest than is the name of Charles Henry Moore.

 
     
     
     
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Text and images were digitized and proofread from the original source documents by Murry Hammond. Contact Murry for all corrections and contributions of new material.