Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Feb 2010: History - John M. Moorre Sr., Fort Bend County Rancher and Politician

In 1852, Dr. Matthew Moore and his wife, Henrietta, moved to Texas from Alabama. They would come to settle in Fort Bend County on property along Jones Creek on the Brazos River opposite Richmond. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Moore became a cotton planter and livestock raiser. During the Civil War, Dr. Moore was surgeon for Terry ’s Texas Rangers. Moore returned from the war in the summer of 1862 weakened by illness. However, he and Henrietta did add a son, John M., in November of that year to their family of four daughters. Unfortunately, Dr. Moore died three years later in 1865 leaving his family with little but the farm after debts were paid by his estate.

Clem Bassett and August Myers took special interest in young John and helped to fill the role of father in his life. John worked in Myers ’ store as a youth and at about 16 was sent to Texas A&M by Bassett and Myers to further his education. After two years, Moore returned to Richmond and resumed working in Myers ’ store where he handled the bookkeeping and was a salesman. He also took over management of the family farm.

In 1883, John M. Moore married Lottie Dyer, daughter of James Foster Dyer whose family was one of the Old Three Hundred. Lottie Moore inherited cattle and land from her parents who died shortly before and after her wedding to John. This 7,000 head of cattle and 12,000 acres started Moore on his career as a rancher. He quickly went to work expanding his herd. He also built a house for his new bride on a lot in Richmond. This house, remodeled, still stands in its original location, now the site of the Fort Bend County Museum. John and Lottie Moore raised a family of six children in the home: Maxwell (who died very young), Raymond E., Ivy, J. Foster Dyer, John M. Jr. and Etta Mae.

John M. Moore’s political career began when he helped to form the Jaybird Democratic Association in 1889. He helped to lead the

association for the next seven years until he was elected State Representative for Fort Bend and Waller counties. He served in Austin for one term and then returned to stock raising and cotton farming in Richmond. He did not lose interest in politics, however, and was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1905 and served as a Representative until 1912, when despite overwhelming sentiment for him to be renominated Moore chose to retire to Richmond.

Moore would continue to be active in cattle raising and included the oil industry among his activities after oil was discovered on his property in 1926. John M. Moore Sr. died at his home in Richmond in 1940 and was buried in Morton Cemetery. l