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D. P. and Louise Moore Home
2404 Avenue E, Bay City, Texas 77414
 The D. P. and Louise Moore home was built on
block 60 in 1902 by builders Hatchett and Large. The land was
purchased from David Swickheimer on November 20, 1894. Lots 4 - 9
were for the homesite, and the other half was used for pasture. It
is a late Victorian two-story, four-bay wood-frame residence, with
columned and ballustraded front porch and gallery, projecting gable
roofed section with bay, and small Palladian window in gable. The
house has two fireplaces, grill work inside the music and dining
rooms, drop ceilings downstairs, front and back stairs, porches up
and down. Also, leaded glass windows in the living room, frosted and
etched glass front door. Downstairs are a bed, living music, dining
and breakfast rooms, two kitchens, and a bath. Upstairs are five
bedrooms, parlor and a bath. A closed stairway leads to the attic,
with a ladder extending to the "widow's walk." Elegant proportioning
and good quality detail make this well-designed structure one of the
finest late Victorian residences in Bay City.
The first cement sidewalk in the city extends from the house to the
street. A picket fence enclosed the six lots. Originally, an
attached building held the acetylene gas plant, as gas was used
until the house was wired for electricity in 1903. Above the gas
house, was an octagon-shaped structure holding a cyprus cistern that
was fed from gutters on the roof. In the yard was a windmill and
tank, large two story barn with stall for horses, corn crib, hay
storage, and a room for the carriage. Other buildings were chicken
house, brick sweet potato house, pens for the livestock and a
one-room servant's house.
Dolph Phenias Moore was born in Indianola, Texas, October 6, 1852,
to Robert Baxter Moore and Mary Layton Moore - both being citizens
of the Republic of Texas, and of Revolutionary War descendants.
Receiving his education in the private schools of historic old
Indianola, Dolph left early to locate in Matagorda County to engage
in the mercantile business. At the age of seventeen, he moved to
"Rancho Grande" and became a clerk at the Pierce Brother's General
Store in Deming's Bridge (later named Hawley, Texas). By age
twenty-two, in June of 1875, he had built a store, and opened a
general mercantile business on the east side of the Colorado River
near Elliot's Ferry. Across from the store, he also built a cotton
gin and home.
D. P. acquired his first 30 acres of land on December 9, 1875 (this
land was to later develop into 1500 acres and qualified for
recognition in the 1975 Family Land Heritage Program). In 1885
Elliot's Post Office was opened in Moore's store, and he was
appointed Postmaster on December 2, 1885, where he served until 1894
when the post office was moved to the new county set in Bay City. In
1891, D. P. Moore moved his family to Matagorda to open another
general store. There, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired
term as county Treasurer and at the next regular election, was
returned to office. On September 18, 1894, an election was held for
the movement of the county seat from Matagorda to a site in the
center of the county on the Bay Prairie - they called it Bay City.
Many landowners in the area were not interested in selling land for
the new town, but D. P. Moore saw the need for a centrally located
county seat. He sold 320 acres of his holdings for $1.00 an acre.
Another 320 acres were purchased from the Mensing brothers at $5.00
an acre, but since the Mensing pasture was under lease and a barbed
wire fence separated the two pastures, the town was surveyed and the
courthouse was built in the Moore pasture. Today, Avenue G in Bay
City, which runs on the east side of the courthouse, was the fence
line at the time. With the county seat being moved to Bay City, Mr.
Moore returned to Bay City from Matagorda to continue his businesses
of mercantile, cotton farming, and ranching.
He established a store on the west side of the square October 11,
1894, only one month after the election to begin the town. The first
newspaper of the town, the Bay City Breeze was printed above the
Elliot's Ferry store. The town grew from 25 in 1894 to 2000 in 1902
due in part by Moore's assistance of donating 200 acres to entice
the Cane Belt, Southern Pacific, and Brownsville railroads into
town. He was the first president of the Matagorda County Rice and
Irrigation Company, organized in 1899, and lived to see his faith in
this section as a great rice growing belt. He also served as
vice-president of the First National Bank of Bay City, being one of
the directors until the time of his death on November 7, 1928.
Donations to the city were numerous including the Cedarvale Cemetery
and Park.
D. P. Moore married Louise Wendel, daughter of John and Elizabeth
Wendel, on December 17, 1879. They had ten children - six girls -
Mary Edna, Ella Adell, Thelma, Lois Myrtle, Grace and Martha Louise,
and four boys - Robert Eric, Grover, Layton and William Jerome.
In the Bay City Tribune obituary of D. P. Moore, it states:
"In the passing of D. P. Moore, we see a pioneer
ranchman and merchant, a spirit clean, sturdy, and fine, possessing
the unqualified esteem of every man who knew him and a high sense of
responsibility for the welfare of his family and his fellow man. Of
quiet dignity, straightforward and sincere, his life stands out as a
distinct part in the development of Bay City and Matagorda County."
After his death, the home was occupied by his widow, Louise. After
her death in 1939, the home was occupied by their youngest daughter,
Martha Louise until her death in 1993. It is now owned by a
great-grandson.
The Texas Historical Marker dedication for the D.
P. and Louise Moore Home was held December 30, 1995.
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DOLPH PHINEAS MOORE
By Brian Tomlinson
 Dolph Phineas Moore, born in Indianola, TX,
October 6, 1852, of sturdy Revolutionary War stock, was the son of
Robert Baxter Moore and Mary Layton Moore, of Newark, New Jersey. He
died November 7, 1928, and was buried in Cedarvale Cemetery. On
December 17, 1879, he married Louise Wendel, daughter of John and
Elizabeth Wendel. They had six daughters: Mary Edna, Ella Adele,
Lois Myrtle, Thelma, and Martha Louise; and four sons: Robert Eric,
Grover, Layton, and William Jerome.
Receiving his education in the private schools of historic old
Indianola, he early left that point to locate in Matagorda county,
coming at an early date and engaging in the mercantile business at
what was then known as Red Bluff, later Elliott Post Office, just
west of present day Bay City. Catching the vision of the
possibilities in Matagorda county for an aggressive business man,
Mr. Moore branched out into farming and stock raising. In addition
to his mercantile business, he acquired large holdings over the
county.
Moore established a store at Red Bluff on the Colorado River in 1875
which later became known as Elliott Post Office. He acquired his
first land on the east bank of the Colorado in 1875 and continued on
eastward to include the area to be known as Bay City. Moore served
as County Treasurer in 1892-1902. He served as postmaster for
Elliott post office from 1885-1902.
In 1894, Mr. Moore was a distinct factor in the founding of the town
of Bay City, giving of his time, his means, his lands that from out
of the prairie should come a town emphasizing the dual aims of its
citizenry—success of the cattle business and the launching of the
rice industry.
After the election held to relocate the county seat, D. P. Moore
furnished 360 acres of land for $1.00 an acre for the developers of
Bay City. This comprised land west of what is now Avenue G to Moore
Street. In assisting in the founding, Moore gave rights of way,
unlimited time and much money to the end that it should become a
really happy place to live. He was always interested in anything
that touched the civic life and welfare of Bay City.
Moore established a store on the west side of the square October 11,
1894 only one month after the election to begin the town.
In 1896, he furnished land for the cemetery known today as Cedarvale
Cemetery. In September 1897, he furnished 200 acres of land as a
bonus to obtain the first railway into Bay City.
Moore helped to organize the First National Bank on November 18,
1901. He was elected a director and vice president in 1901 and
served until his death in 1928.
He organized the first irrigation company in 1899. In the Matagorda
County Tribune, February 2, 1900, an ad showed an increase in the
capital stock from $10,000 to $25,000.
Moore’s name is on the cornerstone of the First United Methodist
Church building erected in 1909.
In 1913, Moore was chairman of the site committee for the Bay City
Library. His name appears in the incorporation of the library and on
the charter dated in 1915. He served as a director and officer in
the earlier years of the library.
In 1916, an oil well was drilled on land that is part of the Moore
Park addition. It was a dry hole and located between 4th and 5th
street between Sims and LeTulle Street.
Among a collection of Mr. Moore’s stock certificates with beautiful
headings in shades of greens and browns dating back to the early
part of the century, Mr. Moore showed his support and confidence of
businesses in Bay City and Matagorda County. In 1902 he had stock in
the Bay City Rice Milling Company, the Wee-See Oil Company in 1915;
the Palacios Shell Co., Bay City Oil & Refining Co., Matagorda Gin
Co., and the Phoenix Laundry Company all in 1919.
After his death in 1928, Carey Smith, Sr., editor of the Daily
Tribune, wrote these words under an article entitled “Finis”:
Moore’s beginning was near to the place of his ending and for three
quarters of a century and more that intervened were useful, helpful,
sincere, honorable.
Can any human do more? Can the world expect more? Is it entitled to
more?
He gave his all and his all was best—best for
family, for friends, for his neighbors, business associates, his
town, his county and his state.
He met misfortune stoically and good fortune appreciatively. He gave
of his means that others might be happy; his efforts that his town
could grow brighter.
He sought no glory except the glory that service brings; no honor
except the honor that comes of integrity; no riches other that those
of truth and virtue.
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D. P. Moore
After an illness of some weeks, D. P. Moore, who
for nearly fifty years has been one of the outstanding figures in
the commercial life and community upbuilding of this section of
Texas, passed away at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston on November 7
[1928] and was laid to rest in Cedarvale Cemetery on November 9.
Born in Indianola, Texas, October 6, 1852, of sturdy Revolutionary
War stock, Dolph Phineas Moore was the son of Robert Baxter Moore
and Mary Layton Moore, of Newark, New Jersey.
Receiving his education in the private schools of historic old
Indianola, he early left that point to locate in Matagorda county,
coming at an early date and engaging in the mercantile business at
what was then known as Elliott's Postoffice, just west of the
present site of Bay City. Catching the vision of the possibilities
in Matagorda county for an aggressive business man, Mr. Moore
branched out into farming and stock raising, in addition to his
mercantile business, and acquired large holdings over the county.
Having by his simplicity of manner and clean cut methods of business
firmly established himself in the mercantile circles of the time.
Mr. Moore removed from Elliott's Postoffice to the old town of
Matagorda, the then county seat, in 1891, there operating an
exclusive mercantile business. He was definitely interested in the
development of Matagorda and did everything possible to promote the
community life there.
At this point in his life, Mrs. Moore came into public service,
being appointed by the court to serve out the unexpired term of the
then county treasurer, resigned, and at the next regular election in
1892 was returned to office, filling important posts until November
14, 1902. Such tenure of service in one capacity speaks eloquently
of his ability and fidelity to public trust.
In 1894 Mr. Moore was a distinct factor in the founding of the
present town of Bay City, giving of his time, his means, his lands
that from out of the prairie should come a town emphasizing the dual
aims of its citizenry--the success of the cattle business and the
launching of the rice industry which have opened our doors to the
markets of the nation. He was the first president of the Matagorda
County Rice and Irrigation Company, organized in 1899 and lived to
see his faith in this section as a great rice growing belt,
vindicated.
The town of Bay City, from the middle of Avenue G west lies on the
lands of D. P. Moore. In assisting in the founding of Bay City, Mr.
Moore gave rights of way, unlimited time and much money to the end
that it should become a really happy place to live, and was a
leading spirit in the matter of getting the Cane Belt, Southern
Pacific and Brownsville railroads into the town. He was active in
getting bonuses, sites, etc., and gave liberally to the cause
himself.
[He] was always interested in anything that touched the civic life
and welfare of Bay City, giving generously to all demands upon his
sympathy and interest. Numerous donations of lands have been made by
Mr. Moore to the city among which is Cedarvale Cemetery and its
park.
In addition to his mercantile business at Bay City, Palacios and
Gulf, Mr. Moore was heavily interested in many of the business
enterprises of the town and county, at one time serving as
vice-president of the First National Bank of Bay City, being one of
its directors at the time of his death.
December 17, 1879, Mr. Moore married Miss Louise Wendel, daughter of
John and Elizabeth Wendel, now deceased. Surviving Mr. Moore are his
wife, his daughters, Mrs. John R. Reynolds of Bay City, Mrs. Bennett
Harvey, of Oklahoma City; Mrs. A. M. Jackson, of Galveston; Mrs. C.
M. O'Brien of Gulf; Miss Grace Moore of Ketchikan, Alaska, and Miss
Martha Moore of Bay City; his sons, Grover, Layton and Jerome, all
of Bay City; two brothers, H. E. Moore of Wharton and Dan Moore of
Bay City, and one sister, Miss Eudora I. Moore of Buda, Texas; four
grandchildren, Dolph Beadle Moore, William Grover Moore, Marjorie
Moore Harvey and Phyllis Moore O'Brien.
In the passing of D. P. Moore, we see a pioneer ranchman and
merchant, a spirit clean, sturdy and fine, possessing the
unqualified esteem of every man who knew him and a high sense of
responsibility for the welfare of his family and his fellowman. Of
quiet dignity straightforward and sincere, his life stands out as a
distinct part in the development of Bay City and Matagorda county.
Active pallbearers were: J. C. Lewis, John Bond, Amos Lee, Jesse
Matthews, W. C. Lloyd, Oscar Barber.
Honorary pallbearers were: Franz Huebner, A. D. Hensley, J. C.
Carrington, John Sutherland, Geo. Culver, T. J. Poole, Sr., W. A.
Furber, Markham; A. S. Collins, Dr. Scott, Tom Castleton, P. G.
Huston, E. M. Bell, Carey Smith, R. F. Anderson, J. H. McCroskey,
Henry Rugeley, Oscar Barber, Dr. Loos, Dr. Morton, Fred Robbins,
Chas. Burkhart, Will McNabb, Judge Carpenter, Goodwin Sterne, E. N.
Gustafson, E. O. Taulbee, Abel Pierce, Wm. Cash, Geo. Serrill, W. E.
Austin, O. J. Doubek, A. J. Harty, C. E. Matchett, Dr. Storey, J. P.
Keller, Wm. Walker, Judge Jones, Dr. Gaedcke, Bob Baker, Bob Sisk,
J. Bachman, Chas. Langham, Geo. Burke, Joe Mangum, P. S. Hightower,
A. H. Wadsworth, Roland Rugeley, G. A. Moore, Will Devant, J. A.
Phillips, R. A. Kleska, Ed Kilbride, Paris Smith, W. C. Lloyd, Angus
Williams, Jim Logan, G. M. Magill, N. M. Vogelsang, W. S. Holman,
Esker McDonald, Jim Castleton, Frank Bates, P. R. Hamill, Arthur
Harris, V. H. Doubek, R. O. Kiser, Dr. S. R. Sholars, J. C. Sisk, E.
E. Wood, J. S. Mayfield, W. W. Doss, Louis Huebner, P. G. Secrest,
Geo. Williams, Louis LeTulle, W. F. Tetts, Sims Doughtie, Merlin
Vogelsang, E. M. Williamson.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 16, 1928
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Mrs. D. P. Moore Passes Away Tues. Afternoon at 4:30
Pioneer of Matagorda County Saw Town Grow and
Prosper
Mrs. Lou Wendell [Wendel] Moore, relict of D. P.
Moore, died at her home Tuesday afternoon at 4:30, following an
illness of several months duration. Mrs. Moore was 76 years, 8
months and 20 days of age. [January 27, 1863 – October 17, 1939]
The wife of the late D. P. Moore, a man who literally built the town
of Bay City from its early years until his death eleven years ago,
Mrs. Moore joined with him to give him the help and advice that made
his success possible and his service to the community so
outstanding.
Mrs. Lou Wendell Moore was born near Bay City and here she made her
home for the entire lifetime, one rich in the good things of love
and full and ripe in the years that were given her. She was a
devoted and loving mother.
Six daughters and three sons survive. Mrs. J. R. Reynolds, of this
city, Miss Grace Moore of San Francisco, Mrs. J. B. Harvey of
Clinton, Oklahoma, Mrs. C. M. O'Brien of Fort Worth, Mrs. A. M.
Jackson of Galveston, Miss Martha Moore of Bay City, her daughters;
and her three sons, Grover, Layton and Jerome of Bay City. She is
also survived by two sisters, Mrs. W. J. Phillips of Matagorda and
Mrs. Elizabeth Reiman of this city, and one brother, Mr. John Wendel
of Hamlin, Texas.
The funeral services will be held from the family residence this
afternoon at 4 o'clock with Reverend Paul Engle officiating.
Interment will be in Cedarvale Cemetery. Taylor Brothers are in
charge of arrangements.
Active pallbearers are James Scott, J. C. Lewis, Vance Porter, W. C.
Lloyd, Bob Baker, and Samuel Selkirk.
Honorary pall bearers are George Williams, Dr. A. S. Morton, Dr. H.
H. Loos, E. O. Hutcheson, J. A. Cherry, F. A. Thompson, F. A.
Breeden, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Wadsworth, Lewis Matchett, Norman
Barkley, Eli L. McDonald, F. A. Bates, P. R. Hamill, D. M. Curtis,
W. E. McNabb, J. R. Cookenboo, Rowland Rugeley, C. M. Bachman, and
Franz Huebner.
Matagorda County Tribune, October 19, 1939
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Martha Louise Moore
Funeral services for Martha Louise Moore, 87, of Bay City will be
held at 2 p. m. today at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bay City
with the Rev. Hugh B. Jones, Jr. officiating. Interment will be in
Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.
Miss Moore was born Oct. 6, 1905 in Bay City to Dolph P. and Louise
Wendel Moore and died July 9, 1993 in Bay City.
She was a graduate of Jefferson Davis High School; Texas Women's
University, Denton; and Teachers College, Columbia University, New
York City.
Miss Moore taught first grade in the Bay City schools for 27 years,
retiring in 1954.
She attended Houston Baptist College in the summer of 1967-68 for a
"Symposium on Historic Preservation."
Miss Moore was a member of the James W. Fannin Chapter, Daughters of
the Republic of Texas and was the Organizing Regent of Mary Rolph
Marsh Chapter, DAR in Bay City. She was also a member of the
National Society of New England Women, Texas Colony #121 and a
charter member in 1961; Colonial Dames of America, Chapter VIII,
Houston. She was also a former member of the Comfort Wood Chapter,
DAR, Wharton; State Historical Association; Stephen F. Austin
Historical Society; Matagorda County Museum Association; director,
Matagorda [County] Historical Society and Survey Committee;
Matagorda County Federation of Women's Clubs; Washington on the
Brazos State Park Assn.; Bay City Book Review Club and the National
Retired Teachers Assn.
She is survived by four nieces, Phyllis O'Brian Tomlinson of
Granbury, Nancy Moore Blaylock of Dallas, Marjorie Harvey Burton of
Austin, Mn. and Aneita Moore Camacho of Colorado Springs; two
nephews, Dolph Beadle Moore of Bay City and Jerome Moore of Jasper,
Ark.; as well as 10 great nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Frank Craft, Fred Walker, Jim Hicks, Jim
Frankson, Frank Baker and James M. Allen. Honorary pallbearers will
be John Henry [Abel Brown] Pierce, Gordon Richardson, Frank H.
Lewis, Harley Savage, Burt O'Connell, Irving Moore, John Woolsey and
Marshall Kuykendall.
In lieu of the usual remembrances, the family requests that
contributions be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church or to the
charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.
The Daily Tribune, July 12, 1993
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