Michael Moore was the emigrant ancestor of the Moore family of Johnstown, New York, who trace to him through both paternal and maternal lines. He was a native of Battenburg, Germany, where he grew to manhood, and married Mary Hough, and had six children born. About the year 1750 he emigrated to America, consuming six months in the land and ocean journey from his native land to his settlement at Schenectady, New York, where he remained during the French and Indian war. He later removed to a point in the county called Albany Bush, where many of the earlier members of the family died and are buried. One of his six children died on the passage to America. The others grew to mature years, married and had families. Children: John, Frederick, Michael (2), Mary, Magdalene, and Sarah.
(II) John, son of Michael and Mary (Hough) Moore, was born in Germany, came to the American colonies, with his parents about 1750, married, and had eight children: John I., Godfrey, Magdalene, Michael, Jacob, Frederick, Mary, and Susan. The paternal line follows through Frederick, the maternal through Godfrey.
(III) Frederick, son of John Moore, married and had issue.
(III) Godfrey, son of John Moore was twice married. His first wife bore him five children: John, Henry, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary.
(IV) John F., son of Frederick Moore, was born in 1800, died October 26, 1837, and is buried in the Johnstown Cemetery. He married Catherine Selmsen, born in 1806, died August 25, 1863.
(IV) Sarah, daughter of Godfrey Moore, born January 1, 1827, died December 12, 1898. She married Frederick J. Moore.
(V) Frederick J., son of John F. and Catherine (Selmsen) Moore, was born January 31, 1828, died 1895. He married Sarah Moore, a daughter of Godfrey Moore. They are buried in the Johnstown cemetery. Frederick J. settled in Johnstown, New York, in 1846. He formed a partnership with Henry Selmsen and purchased the blacksmith shop and wagon making plant of Abraham Thompson, situated on Main street of the village. He was successful in his business, later being joined by his son. Children of Frederick J. and Sarah Moore:
- Eugene, see forward.
- John F., born 1850, died January 5, 1898.
- Godfrey, born March 6, 1851; married Sarah Lingenfelter; children: Clarence; Laura, born July 10, 1880, married, April 5, 1905, William Wicylunder (?) born in Johnstown, April 8, 1868; one child, William H., born June 21,1906.
- Winfield Scott, born August 26, 1852; married Anna Putnam.
- Henrietta, born April 26, 1854, died June 18, 1901; married, May 13, 1874, John Ehle, and has Carolyn N., married Rev. Walker Miller Gage, of Albany; children: Helen, Walker M. (2) and a babe unnamed.
- De Witt Clinton, born March 14, 1856.
- George W., born February 22, 1858; married (first) Julia Adams, who bore a son Everett; married (second) Charlotte Baird.
- Sarah, born April 9, 1860; married, October 13, 1880, Frank Hanson, born July 1, 1859; children:
- Bertha, born July 11, 1885, married, August, 1908, Earl R. Greeley, and has a daughter Helen May Greeley.
- Fred, born June 26, 1889.
- Emma, born August 12, 1891.
- Frank Maurice, April 3, 1894.
- Carrie, born April 24, 1862.
- Kate, born March 1, 1864, married Edward Lobdell, and has a son Harold.
- Frederick J. (2), born November 22, 1865; married Bella Burns, and had a daughter Dorothy.
- Frank, born February 21, 1868, married Lillian ————.
- Cynthia, March 14, 1870.
- Elizabeth, July 29, 1873.
(VI) Eugene, eldest child of Frederick J. and Sarah (Moore) Moore, was born in Johnstown, New York, September 20, 1848. He was educated in the public schools and at Johnstown Academy. He began his business career as a clerk in a dry goods store in Fonda, New York, in the spring of 1862, where he remained about one year. From 1863 until 1869 he was engaged in farming. From 1869 until 1872 he was associated with his father in the wagon making business in Johnstown. In 1872, in company with William Van Nostrand, he began glove manufacturing in Johnstown. At the end of one year Charles E. Peckham was admitted to the firm, being Moore & Peckham. They continued in business until 1878, when they dissolved, Eugene Moore taking a position as manager and superintendent of Trumbull & Co., glove manufacturers. He remained in that capacity for three years. From 1883 until 1886 he was in the employ of James I. Younglove. In the latter year he located permanently in the real estate and insurance business in Johnstown. He is secretary and treasurer of the D. Cady Real Estate Company; secretary and treasurer of the Johnstown Opera House Company; secretary of the New Globe Electric Manufacturing Company, and was secretary of the Fulton County Agricultural Association, an office he has held for the past twenty-two years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4 Free and Accepted Masons; Johnstown Chapter No. 78, Royal Arch Masons, Johnstown Council, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Cross Commandery No. 51, Knights Templar, and Cypress [i. e., Cyprus] Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Albany. For the past eighteen years he has been secretary of the lodge, chapter and council. His clubs are the Lotos and Colonial of Johnstown. In politics he is a Republican. He married (first), February 15, 1876, Anna McLeish, born May 6, 1851, died August 10, 1895, eldest daughter of William and Flora (McMartin) McLeish. Her only sister, Flora, married Frank G. Buckbee, and had two children — Laura, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, and Flora. Eugene and Anna (McLeish) Moore had two children: Edith, born September 23, 1878, and Helena, November 10, 1880. He married (second) Harriet Squires. November 9, 1900. Mr. Moore has a wide circle of business and Masonic friends, among whom he stands in the highest esteem.. His numerous official positions have brought him a wide experience which renders him invaluable to the institutions he serves.
(VI) De Witt Clinton, sixth child and fifth son of Frederick J. and Sarah (Moore) Moore, was born in Johnstown, New York, May 14, 1856. He received his early education in the public school, prepared for college at Johnstown Academy and entered Union College, where he was graduated with high honors, class of 1877. He read law with Judge John Stewart and Hon. John M. Carroll, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, at Saratoga, New York. For six years he was clerk of the Fulton county surrogate's court under Hon. A. D. L. Baker, and one year with Hon. J. Keck. In 1885 he began the private practice of his profession in Johnstown. He stands high in the legal profession, and is the author of several standard law books. At various times he has been connected editorially with the county and city press.