LeMars's Greatest Progressive

For most of us Le Martians, the old Victorian home across the street from Franklin School is a familiar sight. What many of us might not be aware of is its fascinating history. While I was researching my own home, I drifted into the personal history of my neighborhood. The story of the M.A Moore house is one that shouldn't be forgotten.

Built in 1893 on top of his "old house", Milton Alphonso Moore's newer home was the finest in town and placed on the highest elevation, at the time described as "overlooking the Floyd River Valley". This was a fitting residence for a man who helped found the city of Le Mars, was a titan in the regional lumber and coal business, served as our mayor, and is the reason that we have Cleveland Park today.

The construction of this home was big news in it's day. The following is excerpted from the April 24th, 1893 edition of the LeMars Sentinel:

A PALATIAL RESIDENCE

Pioneer M.A. Moore's New Home - Something About the Building and the Magnificent Grounds Surrounding It

LeMars justly boasts of many beautiful homes, but none will surpass, or even equal, that of M.A. Moore, the pioneer lumber dealer of this city. This attractive modern residence is situated about the center of block 63, the whole of which comprises the building site. This is the most elevated portion of the LeMars city plat and is bounded on the north by Second street; on the east by Franklin street; on the south by First street, with Madison street on its west.

It was in 1879 that Mr. Moore erected what he now calls "my old house" on the southwest corner of the block above described. In its day, this was called a fine, large residence; but times have changed in LeMars since then. In 1883, he commenced to improve and beautify his grounds, which at the time he purchased, were looked upon as being way out in the country; some remarked, "Over in Cherokee county!" He relates how his daughters with their little sun hats, were almost lost to view by the tall prairie grass through which they had to pass in going to and from school.

To the passer by, the great expense, hard work and skill of Mr. and Mrs. Moore is duly appreciated, for no more beautiful grounds can be found in this portion of Iowa. The entire square, which is but one block south of the courthouse, is graced with a most charming array of shade trees, evergreens and lawn shrubbery including many pine, cedar, boxelder, elm, Norway spruce, snowballs, lilacs and rose bushes; also a symmetrical hedge of arbor vita, with flower beds, mounds, etc. Near the northeast corner of the block is a fountain basin, seven feet deep and twenty-six feet in diameter, intended for an aquarium. On the east side of these spacious grounds is a never failing well, surmounted by a well-house and pretty windmill, which pumps water into a big tank, from which a good supply is had at all times, for sprinkling purposes. This well-house is literally covered with a net work of American ivy which in mid-summer is a captivating sight, its trailing tendrils and dark green leaves completely covering the building.

THE NEW HOUSE

February 22, 1892, Mr. Moore commenced the erection of his new residence, and he expects to occupy the same some time in the month of May. The architect who made the plans was J.H. Smith, of Boston, Mass. The work has been executed by skillful mechanics, under the supervision of Olin Rounds. The painting has been done by Ollie Andrew, whose selection of colors and execution of workmanship is seldom equaled. The plastering of the vast wall surface of the building is the handiwork of R.D. Molampy. The house is lighted throughout with electricity furnished by the LeMars Electric Light Co. It is heated by the Spence hot water system and three coal grates and one gas grate. An abundant supply of water is obtained from the city water works, an immense cistern and the private water works, above mentioned.

An eight foot cellar, nicely cemented, extends under the whole super-structure which is 44x60 feet in its even dimensions, and is three stories high.

THE FIRST FLOOR.

The first floor is divided into a hall, library, parlor, kitchen, pantry, dining room, sitting roomy and large conservatory. The dining room and library are furnished in oak; the sitting room and parlor in birch; the kitchen, laundry and pantry in southern pine. The wood work on this floors is all left natural color and brought to a high luster, being polished by hand work. There is not a nail head to be seen, as oval headed, brass screws secure each section of the entire wood work, which is equal to palace car finish. Each of the main rooms below are provided with elegant grates and mantles, with plate glass mirrors overneath, while the ten foot ceilings are handsomely decorated.

THE SECOND FLOOR.

By taking an easy walk up a neat substantial stairway, one is landed on the second floor, which section of the house is divided into five bed chambers and a bath room, with water-closet. One of these bed rooms is finished in red cedar brought to a rich polished surface; another is finished in Washington fir; two in sycamore; one bed room, the hall and bath room being finished in southern pine, with a beautiful natural grain.

THE UPPER FLOOR.

The third story (attic) has a few well finished rooms, while the greater portion is to be used as a storage place. One of these upper chambers-the northwest corner one-is designed for a play room and general look-out. From the window in this room, one can gain an extended view of the whole surrounding country, far up and down the meanderings of the picturesque Floyd valley.

In speaking of the cost of this palatial residence, Mr. Moore said to the representative of the SENTINEL: "I will tell you the same as I have others, that it has cost at least two dollars and a half."

(End of article)

M. A. Moore

The following is from the 1899 book titled Biographies and portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa.

MOORE, MILTON A., of Le Mars, is one of the early pioneers of Iowa and holds a prominent place among the state's most successful and prosperous business men. His energy and thrift are typical of the people from whom he is descended, for his ancestors were among the sturdy Puritans who came to this country during the seventeenth century. They settled first in Massachusetts but soon after the Revolution removed to Vermont. Mr. Moore's father, Martin Moore, was a farmer of moderate circumstances, who was born in 1803 and died in 1878. His mother, Dolly Dean Moore, died in 1862 aged 59 years.

M. A. Moore was born August 19, 1845, in Duineston, Vermont. His early education was obtained at the crude little country school house of the neighborhood, and he afterwards spent two years in an academy at Brattleboro Vermont. He left school at the age of sixteen, and at seventeen found his way to Boston with but a dollar in his pocket. Here he secured a position as clerk in a wholesale produce store and remained three years - from 1862 to 1865.

In January 1866, he came to Iowa, and located at Dubuque, where he engaged in the wholesale lumber and grain business with a brother, under the firm name of M. H. Moore & Company - this before he was twenty one years old. In the fall of the same year he helped organize the Dubuque Lumber Company, serving as its secretary until January 1, 1879, when he resigned to locate in Le Mars.

For ten years, beginning in 1876, he was at the head of the firm of Moore Loring Company, engaged in selling lumber and coal at Le Mars. The firm dissolved in 1886, and since then Mr. Moore has been interested in the lumber and coal business at Kingsley, Moville, Remsen, and Akron, Iowa and Elk Point, South Dakota, maintaining at the same time a business in Le Mars in partnership with F. H. Post under the firm name of M. A. Moore & Company. He has been connected with nearly all the important corporations organized at Le Mars, and at present holds prominent offices in the following: The Union Hotel Company, Normal School Association, Improvement Company, First National Bank, and Plymouth Milling Company.

He has always been interested in every public enterprise of the city and has done more than his share to promote the welfare of such undertakings, believing that it is the first duty of every public spirited citizen to do all he can for his home town or city.

In politics Mr. Moore has always been a republican. He held the office of mayor of Le Mars for five years, retiring in 1889. He is not a member of any religious denomination, but attends the Congregational church, and at present is chairman of the board of trustees at Le Mars.

Mr. Moore was married January 9, 1873, at McGregor, to Miss Mary Brady. They have four daughters: Lillie M., born June 18, 1874, (now Mrs Olin H. Bound), Alice E., born June 12, 1876, Sybill J., born August 24, 1878 and Ceila B., born December 17, 1881.

Biographies and portraits of the progressive men of Iowa leaders in business, politics and the professions; together with an original and authentic history of the state, by ex-Lieutenant-Governor B. F. Gue By Benjamin F. Gue, Benjamin Franklin Shambaugh

Mr. Moore was elected mayor of LeMars in 1884 and served until 1889. He was mayor during the thick of the prohibition fight and during that time he led a crusade against the liquor and notorious political elements. In those days his life was threatened, some of his property was burned, but he pursued steadfastly the course he judged right.

Mr. Moore merged with the infinite, in his home, 92 years ago this month.