Biographies
RALPH
MOORE
RALPH MOORE.—A representative of an old
family in Sacramento County, who has aided in the development and reclaiming of
lands, is Ralph Moore, a native son born January 28, 1872, on the old Moore
homestead, where he now resides, on the Sacramento River, a short distance
south of Freeport. His father, James Moore, was born at Kunkle, Ohio, where he was reared, and when a young man he
came to California, about 1850, via the Isthmus of Panama. He engaged in
raising vegetables on the Sacramento River and in teaming and freighting to the
mines in Nevada. In 1863 he purchased the home place of sixty-four acres
two miles south of Freeport, where he set out an orchard, and then he engaged
in butchering, running several meat wagons through the country and did a
successful business for over twenty years, or until his death in 1881 at the
age of fifty-four years. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Lufkins) Moore, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father,
D. T. Lufkins, was a pioneer of Sacramento County,
locating at Eagle Point, and became a large landowner in Sacramento and Yolo
Counties. He was also a pioneer in setting out orchards and raising
fruits. He also kept an hotel at Eagle Point, a
famous stopping place in the early days. He served as justice of the peace
for many years. He sold his lands, and returned East, and resided there
for three years, or until he died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. James
Moore continued to reside on the old home place until her death in 1909, aged
sixty-four years. Of the seven children born of this union, four are
living: Mrs. Annie Billups, Carl, O. H. and Ralph,
all residing in Sacramento, except Ralph, who owns and operates the old home
place.
After
completing the grammar school in Freeport, Ralph Moore supplemented his
education with a course at Howe’s Business College in Stockton. From a
youth he learned farming and when seven years old herded cattle on horseback in
Yolo County. He continued actively in all form work until 1897, when he
began railroading. He was in this occupation for four years, or until
1901, as brakeman between Sacramento and Truckee, when he quit to engage in farming. Purchasing the old Bob Gurley
place of 180 acres he engaged in raising beans and fruit. He was one of
the organizers of Reclamation District Number 744 and served as trustee from
the start for many years; and now, after being out several years he is again
serving as director of the district. The levees, as well as the finances,
are in good condition. After his mother’s death Ralph Moore purchased the
interest of the other heirs in the home ranch and sold 100 acres of his other
ranch, so he now owns 144 acres devoted to raising alfalfa, beans, and
cattle. For years he ran a dairy and had a fine herd of Holsteins, but he
sold all of his cows last year and engaged in raising hay for the San Francisco
market, shipping from the Moore Landing in Schooners.
Mr.
Moore was married in Sacramento to Mrs. Jennie (Minna)
Souther, who was born in Jackson, Amador
County. Their union has proved to be a very happy one and has been blessed
with one child, Ralph, Jr. Fraternally Mr. Moore is a member of Sacramento
Lodge No. 6 of the Elks, and in national politics he is a strong Republican.
Transcribed 5-21-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County, California
With Biographical Sketches, Page 810. Historic Record Company,
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.