Summary
Charles Sumner Moore (January 8, 1857 – July 20, 1915) was an American businessman and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of the Pacific Northwest state, he held several elected offices in Klamath County in the southern part of the state, including county judge. A Republican, he served as Oregon State Treasurer from 1899 to 1907.
Charles Sumner Moore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Oregon State Treasurer | |
| In office January 9, 1899 – January 14, 1907 | |
| Governor | T. T. Geer George Earle Chamberlain |
| Preceded by | Phil Metschan |
| Succeeded by | George A. Steel |
| Judge of Klamath County | |
| In office 1894–1898 | |
| Constituency | Klamath County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 8, 1857 Marion County, Oregon |
| Died | July 20, 1915 (aged 58) Portland, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Langell |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Willamette University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life edit
Charles Moore was born in the Willamette Valley in Marion County, Oregon, on January 8, 1857, to William S. and Margaret Octavia Moore (née Meldrum).[1][2] He received his primary education at the public schools of Oregon City and Salem before enrolling in college.[1] Moore attended Willamette University in Salem from 1872 to 1874.[1]
In 1874, he began working at the Klamath Indian Reservation in Southern Oregon, remaining until 1877.[1] That year Moore worked for his father in Klamath Falls assisting in the construction of the first saw mill in that community.[1] After briefly studying law in Portland, he returned to Southern Oregon.[2] In 1878, he entered the retail industry as a store clerk, keeping that position until 1886.[1] He married Mary L. Langell of Jacksonville, Oregon, in 1884, and they had two sons.[1] From 1886 to 1899 Moore managed and was part owner of a mercantile.[1] He also helped build the first electricity plant in Klamath Falls during the 1890s with his brother Rufus.[2][3]
Political career edit
In 1880, Moore earned his first elected office as a school clerk for the Linkville School District (now Klamath Falls).[2] He then served as a school director before winning a seat on the first board of trustees for the town of Klamath Falls.[2] Moore served as county judge of Klamath County from 1894 to 1898.[3] His father had been the first county judge when the county was created in 1882.[2] He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896.[2]
In 1898, he was elected to the office of Oregon State Treasurer.[4] Elected as a Republican, he replaced fellow Republican Phil Metschan who had served two terms.[4] Moore won re-election in 1902 and served in office from January 9, 1899, until January 14, 1907, when George A. Steel took office.[4] Politically he was against the initiative and referendum, but for the gold standard.[2]
Later years edit
After leaving office he returned to his business pursuits which included timber and banking.[1] He also served on the board of directors for insurance company Oregon Life.[5] He and his brother Rufus were large land owners in Klamath County.[2] Charles Moore died in Portland on July 20, 1915, at the age of 58.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Corning, Howard M. (1989) Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 169.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Gaston, Joseph. (1912). The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. pp. 960-961.
- ^ a b "Newsmakers during the 1900s, Klamath County”, Herald and News, December 31, 1999.
- ^ a b c Treasurers of Oregon. Oregon Blue Book, Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on December 21, 2008.
- ^ The Insurance Year Book. Life and Miscellaneous. New York: The Spectator Co, 1909. p. 224.
External links edit
- Oregon State Treasury Administrative Overview
- Fifty Years In Oregon