Col. James Moore's Home 
This interview is with James Moore of Piketon, Ohio on March 1870. His two story brick home is now for sale ( Jan 2005) at the corner of Market and 2nd Streets in Piketon.
March 10, 1870 - General James Moore
James Moore was born on the north branch of the Potomac River in Virginia, January 10, 1793, and is consequently, 77 years of age. He is the oldest child of Enos and Elizabeth Moore.
While residing with his father, and at the early age of fifteen years, James became fond of hunting and at that time killed his first bear. Since then he has frequently killed that dangerous animal, sometimes alone. And now he delights to live his life over again, in relating his experience in hunting bears, wolves, deer, and other game. He tells of his brother, Edwards to catch wild turkeys by hand. He would hide in the corn shocks where the turkeys would want to come for corn, and as they approached the shock he would put out his hand, catch one by the legs, and draw it in and keep it quiet, till another came in reach, which he would serve in the like manner.
General Moore left home at the age of eighteen and resided with George Haynes of Chillicothe, an excellent maker of edged tools, and his apprentice learned all the former could teach him. He remained with Mr. Haynes three years. After working several years as a journeyman, and during this time, at the general call he entered the service of his country as a private, in the company of Captain Samuel L. Jones, of Colonel Ferguson's regiment and served until the disbanding of the company, and on the 31st day of August, 1813, was honorably discharged at Lower Sandusky. He returned to Chillicothe, but soon went to the Pickaway Plains, where he followed his trade a short time and about the 13th of October removed to Piketon, and began business for himself in connection with William Woods. Mr. Woods soon retired from the firm, and General Moore continued the business till re-elected in 1831, which office he filled with much promptness and to the general acceptance of the people. In 1839 General Moore received a commission as Deputy Marshal of Ohio, which office he held until the term expired.
Having been an early settler in the county he became intimately acquainted with the people, and as a public servant endeavored to subserve their best interests; and now, when in the deadline of life, the recollections of these days recall to mind many pleasing reminiscences of the history of the county, of his adoption, and its people. Nearly all of his associates in business, his companions in the hunting and fishing excursions, of which he was immoderately fond and daring, have passed away to that home from which no traveler returns and to which all alike are hastings. When the subject of the sketch settled in the county, the woods abounded with game, and he and his associates were the captors of many bears, deer, wolves and innumerable quantities of other game, which furnished exciting and pleasing recreation.
When General Moore commenced business in 1813, there was a large amount of teaming from Portsmouth to Chillicothe, which was among the earliest and then one of the largest towns in Ohio. This created a demand for his labor as a blacksmith, in shoeing horses and repairing the ironwork to the wagons. In those days the only vehicles in use were the four horse wagons - the present common two horse wagons, buggies, carriages, and coaches not having been introduced. Horseback riding was the swiftest and common conveyance of the people. Another mode of transportation was by kneel boats, which had to be pushed up the stream with long poles placed against the shoulder. Among other things, Chillicothe was supplied with apples from along the Ohio River, and on one occasion a keelboat was stopped by the ice on the "Hayes" Farm and all the apples was frozen. A very rude cider mill was constructed, and the apples were converted in cider. General Moore, while residing in Chillicothe, took a trip on a keelboat down the Scioto and up the Ohio to the Kanawha, for a load of salt. The salt was loaded and brought as far as Portsmouth where the boat was detained for some time, which made it expedient for the General to return to Chillicothe, which he did on foot.
From early life the General had a natural love and ambition for military tactics and training, and accordingly, at an early day, became much interested in the organization and training of the militia. His first commission was that of Lieutenant Colonel, and bears date April 14, 1823; his second bears date of October 1, 1831, as was commissioned Brigadier General of the Third Brigade of the Ohio Militia.
May 28, 1817, General Moore was married to Ann, second daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Chenoweth of Pee Pee Praire. Abraham Chenoweth was born in Alleghaney County, Md., January 25, 1770. At the age of seventeen years he settled at Charles, Virginia. In 1789 he removed to Limestone, Ky., where he resided till 1796 when he settled at Pee Pee Prairie, at which place he died October 29, 1846, in the 75th year of his age. His wife, Rebecca Carr, died in the month of January, 1831. Their family consisted of seven daughters: Martha, Ann, Susan, Polly, Sarah, Hannah and Rebecca; and seven sons: William, Jacob, John, Noah, Abram, Joel, and Gideon. Ann was born in Kentucky, February 2, 1796, and died April 11, 1853, at their residence in Piketon, where they had resided since 1824.
Mr. Chenoweth and his wife were, from early life, devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and their house was used as a place for worship for many years. What we have already said of General Moore's parents may also be said of his wife's. October 5, 1854, General Moore was married to Anna E., eldest daughter of Alexander and Henrietta Bateman. She was born near Alexandria, in the state of Virginia, on the 5th day of August 1808. Jane was her only sister. She was bereft of her father at the age of fourteen, and her mother six years later. Her parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fully realized the true blessing of a Christian's faith. Their daughter, at an early age, became a member of the same church. Her father and brother John, were buried at Charleston, Va.; her mother and brothers, William, Jesse and Josiah, at Harper's Ferry; her brother, Robert died at an early age, and Samuel, her only surviving brother, with whom she resided at the time of her marriage, and several years prior thereto, is a laborer in the vineyard of his Heavenly Father, having many years ago been received in the Methodist Episcopal Conference as such, and by his devotion rendered himself of great use and is very much beloved as a disciple of the Christian faith.
General Moore has been a member of the same church for many years, and has been zealous in promoting the interests of that church, by being active, and among the foremost of his brethren in contributing and urging forward the good work, while himself and companions have rendered their house the home of the minister of Gospel of Christ, whenever his foot-steps were turned in that direction, for refreshment and response. And now in the decline of life, with his companion, surrounded with all that is necessary to render life contented and happy, he realizes that domestic happiness secured by a combination of happy associations; and while none recognize his house as the paternal roof, yet many from circumstances and parental cars know it as their home.
Advantages of education being in those days limited, and General Moore having at an early age, been placed solely upon his own resources, in his youth, did not receive as liberal an education as within the reach of every one at the present day; but by application and energy, he was enabled to prosecute his business successfully and materially improve his education.
General Moore supported Andrew Jackson in his first contest for the Presidency, but in his second contest supported the Opposition; and since was identified with the Whig Party. He was an ardent admirer of Henry Clay and his party. Since the Whig Party has had an existence he has acted with the Republican Party.
After the expiration of his official life, General Moore engaged actively in mercantile and other business pursuits, which he prosecuted vigorously until a few years ago, when having accumulated an abundance to render himself and family independent and comfortable, he has confined himself to the management of his affairs, and such duties as his business associations still impose.
Having become identified with the interests of the country, he has been active in promotion its general improvements, and has been connected to a greater or less extent with all public enterprises.
This is dedicated to the owner of the old historic home of General Moore. Contents from the interview of James Moore of Piketon, Ohio on March 10, 1870. Today his two story brick home is now for sale at the corner of Market and Second Streets in Piketon.
News Watchman - Jan 2005
By Pike's Past Author - Jim Henry
Sketch drawn by Jim Henry
Copyright © 2004, 2005
Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690