Isaac R. Moores Jr.

Isaac Moores Jr. was born in Danville, Illinois, on February 14, 1831.[1] His parents were Isaac senior and the former Jane Alexander.[2] Siblings included John H. (June 26, 1821 – December 16, 1880), Martha A. (February 1, 1824 – March 23, 1847), Mary Matilda (January 21, 1826 – April 20, 1864), and Charles W. (November 2, 1828 – June 10, 1864).[2] Isaac junior was educated in the local schools of Illinois before leaving for the gold fields of California in 1850.[3] He returned to Illinois in 1852 after failing to gain a fortune.[3]

In 1852, the Moores family traveled the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory, arriving in Portland in November.[2] Isaac settled in Yamhill County where he worked as a surveyor.[3] In October 1854, he moved to capitol, Salem.[3] In Salem, he worked as a clerk for J. N. McDonald’s mercantile store before buying it out in 1856 with his brother John.[1] Moores was appointed as postmaster for Salem on April 14, 1855, and held the position until October 1858.[4] On September 2, 1856, he married Ellen R. Lamon[3] and they would have seven children.[2] In 1861, with the outbreak of the American Civil War he joined the Oregon Volunteer Militia.[3] Moores was selected as colonel of the second regiment, but the militia remained in Oregon and never saw action.[3]

In 1862, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives.[5] Moores served as a Republican representing Marion County.[5] At the next session of the legislature in 1864 he served again, and was elected as Speaker of the House.[6] He also served as Speaker during the 1865 special session of the legislature.[7] His brother John would later serve in the Oregon State Senate and as mayor of Salem.[2]

In 1866, he sold out his mercantile business and was appointed by Governor George Lemuel Woods as clerk to the State Board of Land Commissioners.[3] The following year he was one of the incorporators of the Oregon Central Railroad, and served as president of the railroad for a time.[3] Moores left the State Board in 1870 and was appointed as land commissioner to the Oregon & California Railroad, remaining in that position until his death.[1] He was a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and on the Common Council of Salem.[3] Isaac Ross Moores died of apoplexy in Portland on July 25, 1884, at the age of 53.[2] He was buried at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery where his father was buried.[2]