Biographical Sketch of

Lovell Moore

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 666 - 667 


Lovell Moore, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Green Lake Township, Green Lake Co., Wisconsin, his farm being 
situated on section 27, is a native of Vermont. He was born  in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, October 22, 1821, and 
is a son of Lovell and Tirzah (West) Moore. His grandfather, Abel Moore, was born January 27, 1766 in Shirley, Mass., 
and was a son of Jonathan Moore, who was drowned in Charles River. He followed farming for many years and was also a 
stone engraver. He was three times married, his first union, celebrated January 6, 1791, being with Viney Farr, who was 
born in Chesterfield, N.H., June 30, 1769. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom have now passed away. On 
February 17, 1814, he wedded Anna Johnson, by whom he had six children, and by his third wife he had two children. Of 
the entire number, eighteen, only two are now living: Caroline, widow of Dr. E. Thayer; and Lovina, a maiden lady, who 
lives with our subject. One of the sons, Hiram Moore, deserves special mention. He was highly endowed with inventive 
genius, and invented the first machine that would cut, thresh and sack grain all at once. The same principle used in 
separating the grain from the straw in the harvester, he applied to the threshing machine, and the result is our present 
complete separator.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Presbury West, was a native of Charleston Vt., and a descendant of one of the 
noble families of England. He married Tirzah Carleton and had six children, of whom Mrs. Tirzah Moore was the youngest. 

Lovell Moore, Sr., was born in Shirley, Mass., March 23, 1797 and in his youth was liberally educated, becoming a 
splendid Latin scholar. Like all his brothers he learned the stone cutter�s trade and was a fine workman; though he 
never followed it as a business. On reaching manhood he engaged in merchandising in St. Johnsbury, Vt., but soon 
afterward engaged in the study of law under Joseph Fairbanks. While thus engaged he became acquainted with and married 
Miss West, who died when our subject was about three years old. He then wedded Lucy Fuller, a native of Massachusetts, 
and in 1831 removed with his wife to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where in connection with his brothers, Hiram and John, he 
bought a tract of land and began improving it. A Short time afterward, however, he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, 
where he practiced his profession with great success until his death. He supported the Whig Party until its dissolution, 
when he became a Democrat. He never took a very active part in political affairs, preferring to give his attention to 
his business, but once allowed his name to be put forward as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor. He was one of the 
leading Masons of Michigan, and was Grand Master of the State Organization. In his religious associations he was an 
Episcopalian, while his first wife was a member of the Congregational Church. He had three children by his first marriage; 
Lovell, of this sketch; Presbury, who died while en route to California; and one child who died in infancy. Six children 
were born of the second marriage, three of whom are yet living. Charles F. became a noted artist and died in Mobile, Ala.

Our subject is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He was most liberally educated, thereby being fitted for 
responsible duties in life. His school days began at the home of Gov. Fairbanks. The Governor would send around a vehicle, 
gather up the children and take them to his own home for instruction. Subsequently, when nine years of age, he entered 
Thedford Academy where he remained four years, he was an apt scholar, especially in Latin, but the course was so heavy that 
his health failed and the doctors recommended his removal from school. He therefore joined his father in Michigan and remained 
at home until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching and followed that profession about four years. He afterward kept 
a drug store in Grand Rapids. Afterward took charge of the farm owned by his uncle, Hiram Moore, in Kalamazoo Township. He 
superintended the entire business interests and displayed much ability, continuing to have charge of affairs until 1854, 
when he removed to Ionia County, Michigan whence in 1858; he came to Green Lake County. Shortly after his arrival he settled 
on 160 acres of land on section 27, in the Town of Green Lake, where he has since made his home. 

On April 11, 1843, Mr. Moore was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Permelia Newton, daughter of Dudley and Deborah 
(Terry) Newton, who were early settlers of Kent County, Michigan. She was born October 20, 1822, and has become the mother 
of six children: Henry H., a horse dealer of Texas; Ellen, wife of William Johnson, a farmer of Roscoe, Dakota; Charles D. 
married Myrtie Reed, and is engaged in farming in Montana; Tirzah L. is the wife of Z. Ellis, a farmer of Fond du Lac County; 
Presbury W. is a railroad engineer of New Mexico; and Harriet died in infancy.

In politics, Mr. Moore is a conservative Democrat and religiously, his wife is a Congregationalist. He was formerly one of 
the most prominent members of the Masonic fraternity in the State, but on account of failing health he has not taken an active 
part in the work of that order in late years. He was the first Master of Markesan Lodge and for fourteen years was Master of 
one or another society. He served as Grand Steward for one term and has taken the degree of Knight Templar. The abilities of 
Mr. Moore, both natural and acquired, are such as to command respect, and no citizen of the county is held in higher regard. 
He is well informed on all the leading issues of the day, and can converse well on almost any subject.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu