Madera County
Biographies
EDWIN MOORE
It is with interest that one reviews the life of the California pioneer, who left home and the comforts of the East to suffer the hardships and privations of the unknown and underdeveloped West, and great honor is due to their memory, as their pioneer work was the means of that vast immigration which has built up this great and glorious State. Among this honored number we find Mr. Edwin Moore, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1829, and among his schoolmates in the old log schoolhouse was William Windom, the late Secretary of the Treasury. At the age of sixteen years young Moore was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tailor, which he studied until 1849. He then became restive under the confinement, and, seeking the broader experience of adventure, he struck out for California, via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco July 18, 1849. He then went to the mines at Barnes’ Bar, on the North Fork of the American river, where he passed the winter, meeting with fair success and making from one to five ounces of gold per day; but also paying $1.50 per pound for flour and $2 per pound for sugar, beans and bacon. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Moore went to Realejo, Central America, and for five months rented and kept a hotel, after which he returned to California and followed mining in Mariposa County. In 1853 he went to Australia and mined for five years, but with poor success, and after spending all he had made in California, he returned to this State in July, 1859, and resumed mining in Mariposa County. This he continued until 1865, when he was elected Auditor and Recorder of that county. He then gave up mining and lived in Mariposa.
Mr. Moore was married there May 7, 1866, to Miss Huldah Traxler, a native of Richland County, Ohio. He was re-elected to the office in 1867, and served to the expiration of his term in 1869. He then purchased of Galen Clark, a one-half interest in the hotel and ranch at Wawona, ”The Big Tree Station,” on the stage route between Raymond and the Yo Semite valley. They ran the hotel until 1875, when they sold the entire property to the stage company, Mr. Moore remaining in charge until 1876, when he came to Madera and was among the first settlers of the town. The flume having just been completed he was engaged as clerk and bookkeeper, and held the position about two years. In 1876 Mr. Moore purchased twenty acres southeast of town, which he has improved, first building a comfortable home, and then adding vines and trees from year to year. In 1880 he was appointed local agent of Wells, Fargo & Co.’s express, and also Postmaster of Madera. The latter office he lost during the Cleveland administration, but the former he still retains. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one son—Edwin H., born in 1877, who is now at home and engaged in securing an education. Mr. Moore is an affable, genial gentleman, and though poor in health he still loves to talk of the sufferings and excitement of his pioneer days.
Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892
p. 469-470
Transcribed by Craig A Hahn
J. Myer
J. MYER, one of the active young business men of Madera, was born in Germany, in 1846. Attending school in his own country until eighteen years of age, he then sought a broader field of labor; and to grow up among the young men of a new country, he left the home of his birth and emigrated direct to California, to seek name and fortune under the stars and stripes and among a free and independent people. Mr. Myer settled in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, in 1866, and passed the two following years in school, learning the language and business methods of the country of his adoption. He then began clerking in Gilroy, and in 1871 came to Firebaugh, Fresno County, as cashier and manager of the general merchandise store of Messrs. Miller & Lux, and remained in their employ for a period of twelve years. In 1883 he came to Madera and engaged in a grain commission business, with a rented warehouse 50 x 250 feet, for the storage of grain. He also engaged in real estate, making a specialty of town property. In 1887 the firm of Mase & Myer was established to engage in the real-estate business, and they represent the Miller & Lux lands of about 7,000 acres, which is being subdivided and placed upon the market. Mr. Myer still continues his commission business. In the fall election of 1890 he was elected Supervisor from the first township, on the Republican ticket, against a Democratic majority of 200 votes, which speaks volumes for the reputation and principles of Mr. Myer as an upright and honorable citizen. He is a member of Madera Lodge, No. 327, I. O. O. F., and Madera Lodge, No. 134, Knights of Pythias.
Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892
p. 484
Transcribed by Craig A Hahn