Father-in-law of Sarah L. Gordon
Unknown newspaper - March 1905
CLOSING SCENE OF A LONG LIFE
At the Age of 96 Years "Uncle Buck" Moore,
the Oldest Man in Madison County Answers to
the Summons of the Death Angel — The End Came
Last Night. In the early years of the nineteenth
century William J. Moore was ushered into, the
world — on Aug. 1st, 1810. In the early years of
the present century, nearly a hundred years later,
he left it — March 10th, 1905. Last night, Madison
County lost her oldest citizen, probably the oldest
white man in West Tennessee. For at 6:45 o'clock,
as the evening shadows bad nearly vanquished the
day and were deepening into darkness, "Uncle Buck"
Moore answered to the gentle call of the death angel,
and his spirit fled from the worn and aged form which
had held ii prisoner for so long, to speed out through
the night into the eternal light of Paradise. Death was
very gentle with. him. Tuesday night the aged man fell
into a deep sleep from which he never awoke. While he
was sleeping like a child, he received the kiss of
death and the summons to the great White Throne.
The end came at the home of Dr. L.A. Booth, son-in-law
of Mr. Moore, on West Deaderick avenue. Hope for his
recovery had been abandoned yesterday. All that medical
skill and tender care could do was of no avail. Nothing
remained but to watch and await the last breath of the
man who in four more years would have been a centenarian.
And so the loved ones watched and waited around the
bedside until it could be seen by a pallor which
overspread the features that the sleep of life had
been replaced by the sleep of death. "Uncle Buck" Moore
was born in North Carolina August 1st, 1810, as stated.
He emigrated to Henderson county when but a boy and in
1864, over forty years ago, came to Madison county, where
he has since resided. Before the long to be remembered days
of the Civil War, Dr. Moore dealt extensively in slaves,
and in that manner accumulated something of a fortune.
The larger portion of this was lost to him in the days
of the reconstruction. What remained of his scattered
fortune Mr. Moore invested in farm lands near Jackson
and his tireless efforts to regain something of what
he had lost were crowned with success. Considerable
of his lost riches were recovered, due to hard work
and thrift, and at different times in his life he had
the pleasure of giving each one of his nine children
a farm thoroughly equipped, and stocked. Few around these
parts who did not know of "Uncle Buck" Moore. Those who
did, not know him personally knew of him by hearsay or
sight. He was undoubtedly the oldest white man, not in
point of residence, but of years, in Madison county, and
probably in West Tennessee. Up till a short time ago Mr.
Moore was wonderfully active for his age. He looked hale
and hearty, his face was full and almost devoid of wrinkles,
his color was good and one would not have judged him to
be over 70 years of age. Fourteen years ago "Uncle Buck"
lost his wife. Since that time be has resided in Jackson
with his son-in-law, Dr. Booth. One brother and many
descendants survive William J. Moore. His brother is C.G.
Moore, of Darden, Tenn. Nine children who survive him are:
Willis Moore; Watt Moore, Mrs. Nannie Leonard, Mrs. Alf
Moyze, Mrs. Frank Jones, Mrs. M.V.B. Exum, Mrs. A.A.
Booth and Mrs. Joe Montgomery, of Madison county, and
Mrs. Jones, of Coal Hill, Ark. Thirty-five grand children
and eleven great grand children are also left behind to
mourn the death of the deceased. Riverside Cemetery will
form the last resting place of "Uncle Buck" Moore. At
10 a.m. tomorrow funeral services will be held from the
residence of Dr. A.A. Booth, corner of Campbell street
and Deaderick avenue.
