San Francisco County CA Archives Obituaries.....Moore, Joseph March 31, 1901
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San Francisco Call, April 4, 1901
“NOTED CALIFORNIAN PASSES AWAY ABROAD 
Joseph Moore, Whose Great Engineering Ability Won Him Fame and Riches in Early 
Days, Dies in London 
Joseph Moore, who died in London on March 31, was a California pioneer who did 
as much for the advancement of the mechanical industries as any man who ever 
came to this State. Mr. Moore was a native of Preston Pans, near Edingurgh 
[sic?], Scotland, who came around Cape Horn in the ship Ajax, landing in San 
Francisco in September, 1849. Mr. Moore afterward married Miss Annie Castle, 
one of the passengers on the Ajax. On his arrival he at once entered the 
service of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and after a few trips to Panama 
as chief engineer was appointed builder and superintendent of the repair shops 
at Benicia for the same company. He was subsequently appointed superintendent 
of the Vulcan Iron Works in this city, at that time the largest foundry and 
machine shop on this coast. In 1869, when the Risdon Iron Works started, Mr. 
Moore was selected as general manager, remaining in that position until 1882, 
when he retired, his health being impaired from overwork. Shortly after that he 
took up his residence in London only making occasional visits to this country 
to see his sons. 
As Mr. Moore was a man of extraordinary mechanical ability he was invaluable to 
our pioneer miners and to all engaged in industrial pursuits requiring 
machinery. The early development of the Pacific Coast led to some very bold 
engineering propositions, and no one here did more toward the attainment of 
successful results than Joseph Moore. 
Among Mr. Moore's inventions was the Bagasse feeders and furnace for sugar 
mills for burning "trash" direct from the rolls, and these are still used. He 
made a practical success of hydraulic pumping on the Comstock after all other 
systems had failed. 
Mr. Moore built the first hydraulic elevator or passenger hoist and much other 
hydraulic machinery, and in recognition of his work in this branch of mechanics 
the Royal Society of Engineers of Great Britain awarded him a special gold 
medal. He also built the first tangential discharge waterwheel, from which 
afterward was evolved what is now known as the Pelton wheel. He had an aversion 
to taking out patents. He did, however, patent among other things a 
differential hydraulic valve gear which is used on all classes of hydraulic 
work as well as by the Crane & Otis Elevator Company, which bought it from Mr. 
Moore. 
Mr. Moore leaves four sons and two daughters. In the education of his sons he 
adopted a different course than is usual. They were first made to learn a trade 
and subsequently sent to the University of California. The eldest son, Andrew, 
is and has been for years manager of the Paauhau plantation in Hawaii, and the 
youngest son, Joseph, is assistant superintendent. The second son, Robert, is 
manager of the Risdon Iron Works of this city, and the third son, Ralph, is 
manager of the Spreckels sugar refinery at the Potrero. Mr. Moore leaves a 
large fortune, consisting mainly of business property, all located in San 
Francisco.” END

AND the following related to his estate:

San Francisco Call, April 14, 1901 (Sunday), Page 25, Column 4.
“LEAVES PROPERTY TO MANY HEIRS 
Will of Distinguished Engineer, Joseph Moore, Filed for Probate. 
Oakland Office San Francisco Call, 1118 Broadway, April 13. 
The holographic will of Joseph Moore, the distinguished California engineer, 
who died recently in London, was filed for probate to-day by his son, Robert G. 
Moore. The instrument contains specific bequests to the amount of about 
$25,000. It is very carefully drawn and details in minutiae the disposition 
which the testator desired made of his property. Those mentioned in the will 
are Andrew, Robert G., Charles H., Ralph H., Annie, Charlotte M, and Joseph A. 
Moore, children of the deceased; Mary Jane Moore, a sister, residing in 
Scotland; Margaret Hendry, a niece, also living in Scotland; Charles Castle, a 
brother-in-law, since deceased; Charlotte Castle, James B. Castle and Jessie C. 
Ormond, children of Charles Castle. 
Trust funds of $5000 each are created in favor of the sister, niece and brother-
in-law, which are revoked in a codicil stating that other provision, not 
specified, had been made for these legatees. The seven children are made 
residuary legatees, with the exception of Charles H. Moore, previously provided 
for. After the specific bequests have been paid the estate is to be divided 
into eight parts, two of which go to each of the two daughters and one each to 
the four remaining sons.” END

Additional Comments:
San Francisco Call, April 4, 1901 (Thursday), Page 2, Column 5.


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