SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

William D. Moore, Page 331

WILLIAM D. MOORE, a pioneer of Plymouth Township, was born in Gloucester County, N. J., November 13, 1813, being a son of Mathias M. and Ann (Cheeseman) Moore, both natives of that State.  His grandfather Moore came from Germany when a single man, and afterwards married an English lady by the name of Mattson.  The Cheeseman family also came from England.

    Our subject's father was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed all his life.  Both father and mother died in New Jersey, their native State.  Of their nine children only two are living:  Mrs. Rachel Michaels, who resides in New Jersey, and William D., the subject of this record.  The latter was reared to the trade of a carpenter, and received a meagre education, as his advantages were very limited.  He gave his time to his father until his majority was reached.  Carpenter work being scarce, he worked on a farm nine months at $9 per month.  When his time was out he had $80 coming to him, he having drawn only $1.  It will thus be seen that the young man had no expensive habits, or, if he did, he failed to indulge them.

    In the spring of 1836, Mr. Moore and his brother came West to Ohio, but the same year he returned to New Jersey, where he worked at his trade until his removal to Wisconsin.  The 4th of August, 1846, witnessed his arrival in Sheboygan County.  On section 33, town of Plymouth, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of Government land covered with timber.  As carpentering was plentiful, he worked at his trade and hired his land cleared.  About 1857, he built a part of the house in which he now lives.  He still owns eighty acres of the original purchase, which is in a good state of cultivation, except twelve acres left uncleared.

    Mr. Moore was married at Plymouth to Mrs. Clarinda Cooper, daughter of Abram Carley.  Mrs. Moore was born in the Empire State, where she married John Cooper.  Having emigrated to this county, her husband died, leaving three children, of whom one survives, John W. Cooper, foreman in the railroad yards at Manitowoc, Wis.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore one child was born, Edward E., who married Bertha Bechlam and has one child, William.

    In political principles, Mr. Moors has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren.  He is one of a few of those who came here in 1846 that still survive.  When he first settled on his farm, but few clearings had been made in that part of the county; now from his door one may behold highly improved farms in every direction.  His home, which is located on a eminence, commands one of the finest views of the city of Plymouth to be found.  Mr. Moore is a landmark in Sheboygan County; during forty-seven years he has been known to the citizens of Plymouth Township, and in those years has made a record for honesty and sobriety more valuable than silver and gold.