Rev. Patrick Moore, father of Mrs. Sparkman * , has for over a half century been a tireless worker in the cause of Christianity as a minister of the Missionary Baptist church, and is one of the most honored citizens of Van Buren county, his home being in the Sixth district.
He was born in Greene county, N.C., October 17, 1825, a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Stepp) Moore, who were born, reared and married in Virginia, whence they removed to Greene county, N.C., and later to Cumberland county, Tenn., locating in the Crocker Neck neighborhood. Subsequently they removed to Ball’s Bottom on Caney Fork, when bears and panthers were still quite plentiful in that region and from there they went to Big Bottom, finally settling near Spencer, Van Buren county. The father died at the age of fifty-three years and was the first person buried at that city. His wife reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was probably of Irish parentage, was by occupation a farmer and mechanic, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. In early life Mrs. Moore was a Methodist, but in 1849 joined the Missionary Baptist church, with which she ever after affiliated. Of her six children only our subject is now living; James, a farmer and Baptist minister, died in White county, Tenn.; Amanda and John both died in childhood; Frederick, a brick mason and farmer, died in Warren county, Tenn., at the age of seventy-three; Jane married William Mayfield and died in Fisher county, Tex.
Patrick Moore obtained his literary education in a small free school conducted at Laurel Cove, and while not in school he engaged in farming until twenty years of age, when he joined the Missionary Baptist church and commenced preaching. Ever since he has been a devoted minister of the gospel, and has been the means of bringing many souls to Christ. For one year after his marriage he lived in Warren county, Tenn., the following year made his home at Rocky Run, and then purchased his present farm in Van Buren county, where he has now resided over half a century.
Feeling the need of a better education, Mr. Moore attended Burritt College for two terms after his marriage, and subsequently engaged in teaching on Pine Ridge, in a free school in Spencer, and in his home district. For the long period of forty years he has faithfully served as pastor of the Laurel Creek Missionary Baptist church, and has also had charge of many other congregations, including those at New Hope and Bethel in White county; Macedonia; Greenwood; Shells Ford; Friendship; Hebron; Philadelphia; Grundy; Rutledge Falls; Coffee; Morrison and Blue Spring, both of Warren county. At times he has also served as missionary, was pastor of the church at McMinnville for time and of a church in the upper part of Bledsoe county, has preached for many miles around his home, and has taken a deep interest in the Sunday School at Laurel Creek Seminary.
Mr. Moore was married on the 5th of December, 1845, to Elizabeth Jane Neal, who was born on Rock river, in 1829, and died November 6, 1882, beloved by all who knew her. Her father was Charles Neal, and the family came to this county from East Tennessee. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore only four are now living, namely: James M., a resident of Van Buren county; Rebecca, wife of John J. Sparkman, of Bone Cave; Lansford M., a farm of this county, though formerly a merchant; and Homer, a farmer of Warren county. Those deceased are Amanda and Docia, who died at the home of their parents; Charles, who married, but died at home; and Richard, who was married and lived in the same neighborhood. In July 1884, Mr. Moore married Nancy Cunningham, who was born in Irving College, Warren county, December 5, 1849, a daughter of Thomas Cunningham. Four children blessed this union: Claude Fate and Fred Clay, who are still living; and an infant and John, now deceased. Mrs. Moore is also a consistent and faithful member of the Missionary Baptist church.
Mr. Moore has placed his farm under excellent cultivation and in connection with farming he successfully engaged in merchandising for fifteen years at Laurel burg, where he also erected a mill, and did quite an active business as a miller and shipper of grain. He was also instrumental in establishing the post office at that place, and for a short time after the war he served as circuit court clerk. Fraternally he is a charter member of the Masonic lodge od Spencer, with which he has affiliated for thirty-five years, and politically he was originally a Whig, but is now identified with the Democratic party. During his ministry Mr. Moore has received thousands into the church, and has married hundreds. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he ever supports those interest which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.
*In the original book, Rev. Moore’s biography followed John J. Sparkman’s and, of course, referred to Sparkman’s wife.
Memorial and Biographical Record, an Illustrated Compendium of Biography. Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1898, pp. 326, 327 and 328.