Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin County - Moore Biography 1925
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p. 401-405

JERE NEUVILLE MOORE

    No man ever felt a deeper interest in Milledgeville and Baldwin County, or
labored more incessantly for its upbuilding in all the elements of real
prosperity, than Jere Neuville Moore, son of Boling and Mary Moore. Born in
Baldwin County, as was his father before him, he was taught to love his home,
which love grew and became a great factor in his life. Except for two years, one
spent in Penfield, Green County, Georgia, where he worked on the "Christian
Index," the other in Eatonton, Georgia, Mr. Moore spent all of his life, from
his birth in 1835 until his death in 1902, in Milledgeville. Here he spent his
childhood, married his wife, Miss Henrietta Micklejohn (also born and reared in
Milledgeville), reared his family, labored with his hand and brain for the
county and city he loved. At the age of twelve years, being deprived of his
father's protection and thrown upon his own resources to help his widowed
mother, he went to work for the "Federal Union," one of the leading papers. By
his uniform courtesy, honesty, and interest in his work, he won the confidence
of his employer and was rapidly promoted. About the beginning of the War between
the States, he was made manager of the office. This brought him in touch with
the Governor and State officials during the most trying period of our history.
At this time Milledgeville was the political center of Georgia, and he was at
the head of the most influential paper in the State. This association greatly
widened his experience and gave him an insight into the affairs of state that
was very valuable to him in later life. He studied men and learned to weigh
their motives. He watched the current of political events. His position was one
of great responsibility and infinite toil. Then he was young and vigorous. It
was no uncommon thing for him in those days, when the Legislature was in
session, to work all day and through the long hours of the night, going home at
dawn to snatch a few hours of rest, only to begin the same round again the next
day. At one time he accomplished the Herculean task of practically resetting one
of Governor Joseph E. Brown's annual messages to the General Assembly, between
nine a. m. and the assembling of that body at twelve m., after a proof of the
state paper had been made.

    He found time in the midst of these consuming duties to command a military
company, whose special duty it was to guard the state capital and maintain order
in Milledgeville. At this time he was a very handsome man and, in the uniform of
a Confederate Captain, must have presented a very imposing appearance. He was,
no doubt, a brave and dashing young officer.

    After the war, he bought an interest in the paper and entered upon that
business and editorial career in which he became distinguished for sound
business methods and lofty ideals of editorial courtesy. The Federal Union and
the Southern Recorder became consolidated under the name of Union Recorder. In
1872, Mr. Moore became the proprietor of this paper. At the head of a widely
read newspaper, the principles he held, the opinions he expressed, the causes he
espoused, what he was, what he stood for, were constantly under the scrutiny of
public opinion, but no man challenges the purity of his motives, the soundness
of his principles, or the wisdom of his politics. In the great struggle before
the people of Georgia in 1877, for the permanent removal of the Capitol, he bore
a conspicuous part. Through the columns of the Recorder, he made a brave fight
to have the seat of government restored to Milledgeville. He beat his opponents
in argument, but logic could not compete with Atlanta's gold. It was at his
suggestion that the city of Milledgeville sent the only Republician, in town, at
the time, to Washington, for the purpose of interceding with President U. S.
Grant, to interpose his executive authority, and prevent the removal. When it
developed that the city's accredited representative, in common with every other
southern gentleman at the time, was without suitable clothes in which to appear
before the President of the United States, Mr. Moore's ready resourcefulness in
an emergency solved the difficulty. He prevailed on the City Council to
transcend their power by purchasing a suit of clothes for the commissioner. The
Council bought the clothes, and the city's commissioner went to the National
Capital and formally appeared before President Grant, in the regulation Prince
Albert, befitting his rank and the high duty with which he was charged.

    It was at this time came his strongest temptation to leave Milledgeville,
when Alec Stephens and Bob Toombs wanted him to go to Atlanta and, with them,
establish a paper. Love of home prevailed and he remained in Milledgeville.

    Another signal service which Mr. Moore rendered the city is known to but few
of the present generation. The proposition had been made to establish a second
Insane Asylum in North Georgia. That section of the State was clamorous for the
enterprise. Atlanta, being strenuously active for its inauguration. As soon as
the news of this movement came to Mr. Moore, he saw at a glance that it would
prove disastrous to Milledgeville if consummated. He took up his pen before the
idea had gained general currency in the State, and started a crusade against it.
Others came to his assistance and, by the combined efforts of friends of
Milledgeville, the project was abandoned. He took the initiative, led the fight,
and contributed largely to the final victory. It can therefore be truthfully
said that to the vigilance and sagacity of Jere N. Moore, more than any one else
is due the fact, that crowning the hills two miles south of the city, the great
State of Georgia, maintains the largest institution for the insane, under one
management, in the world.

    Another noble work in which he bore conspicuous part, was in connection with
the founding of the Georgia Military College. He championed the movement from
its inception, and his efforts knew no surcease until, triumphing over bold and
determined opposition, in and out of the Legislature, it was carried to complete
success. The bill passed the General Assembly, and the College was founded.
Others of course did noble service but Mr. Moore was in a position to do more in
that he owned a newspaper. Its columns he gave freely, writing, himself, strong
editorials in support of the enterprise. In moments of financial difficulty,
when it required wisest management to keep the institution going, his colleagues
on the Board of Trustees looked to his business skill and resourcefulness in
emergencies to find the funds, and tide over the trouble. He never disappointed
their hopes. He did not forget the children of the county. For thirty years he
was President of the County Board of Education, and gave much thought and care
to the public schools of the county.

    He loved the Masonic Order and for years was a loyal trustee and held
various offices. For years he was a trustee and Steward of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. A friend has said, "His religion was simple and serene, and of
him the Savior could have said, 'Behold one in whom there is no guile'."

    Mr. Moore had one brother, who served through the Confederate War.

    Of Mr. Moore's children, R. B. and Chas. L. Moore are in Milledgeville,
operating the old "Union Recorder."



Additional Comments:
From: 

Part V

HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA

BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK

ILLUSTRATED

ANDERSON. S. C.
Keys-Hearn Printing Co.
-1925—


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