Mason County History Companion

Michael Moore passed away Friday night at the home of his daughter Mrs. Parmalee at Amber. The funeral held Sunday was one of the largest ever seen in the county. The G. A. R. attended in a body and the remains were interred in the family lot in the Rickey Cemetery.

In the death of Mr. Moore Mason county loses one of the few remaining white men who formed the little group of pioneers who settled in Amber township. For many years his sturdy frame and rugged countenance with its crown of snowy hair has been a familiar figure about Amber station where he lived with his daughter Mrs. Parmalee since the death of Mrs. Moore.

Michael Moore was born in Malone, N. Y. February 7, 1830. At the age of 18 he went to Edinbrough, Penn., where on July 1, 1951 he was married to Mary Jane Day. They lived there till 1861 when they moved to Ruthven, Ont. A story is told of the strict sense of honor possessed by the deceased. A particularly spirited contest was on between two candidates for representative for the legislative body of Canada and Mr. Moore was offered $500 [or $700-hard to read] for his vote to break the tie but so disgusted was he over the whole proceeding that he packed up and left Canada early in 1863.

He enlisted at Clinton, Mich., with the Union forces and marched with Sherman to the sea. He saw active service all during the war at the close of which he was honorably discharged. In 1866 he came to Mason county with his family and homesteaded the present county farm which was the Moore home for many years. Mrs. Moore died 14 years ago and since then he has found a home with his daughter Mrs. Parmalee at Amber. He spent nearly a year with relatives in Bellingham, Wash., returning from the west March 26, 1911. Until three weeks ago he had enjoyed his usual good health but since that time he has been unconscious most of the time.

Mr. Moore is survived by four sons and two daughters, Mrs. Fay Parmalee of Amber, Geo. R. Moore of Ashland, Wis., Milon Moore of Juno, Alaska, J. C. Moore, Thos. Moore of Everett, Wash., and Mrs. Jennie Payne of Bellingham, Wash, besides 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mrs. Wm. Wilson of Oklahoma formerly of this city was a granddaughter.