Introduction
SMITH MOORE was born in Harrison Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey in May of 1847. He was one of at least ten children born to Charles Moore and his wife, the former Sarah Weatherby. His father was a farmer. When the census was taken in 1860, their were eight children at home, Anna, Benjamin, Thomas, Euphemia, Joseph, Smith, Samuel, and David Moore. When the Census was again taken, in 1870, Smith Moore had left his parents home. He was working as a farm laborer and living at the home of Dr. Benjamin Moore, a veterinarian, who may have been Smith Moore’s older brother.
In 1872 Smith Moore married Amanda Rudderow. The Moores had moved to Camden by 1878. The City Directory for 1878 shows Smith Moore at 636 Chestnut Street. Smith Moore had already gone into business as a huckster, selling produce from outlying farms to customers in the city of Camden. He would remain in this business well into the 1920s. When the census was taken in 1880 Smith Moore was living at 630 Chestnut Street. By April of 1882 he had moved across the street to 629 Chestnut Street. The 1882–1883 Directory gives his address as 628 Chestnut Street.
Smith Moore was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 1 on April 5, 1882. He replaced William Deith. Smith Moore served for two years, when he was replaced in turn by William B. Jobes.
Amanda Rudderow Moore appears to have passed away not long after the 1880 Census. Smith Moore remarried around 1887.
The 1885 City Directory lists Smith Moore at 700 Mount Vernon Street. The 1887–1888 edition shows him living at and running a grocery at the corner of South 8th Street and Division Street. By 1892 he had moved to 452 Royden Street where he remained into 1899.
The 1900 Census lists Smith Moore at 572 Walnut Street, along with his wife Eliza A. Moore. The Moores remained at this address through at least 1917. His son, Smith C. Moore Jr., was living at 1285 Mechanic Street. By late 1918 Smith and Eliza Moore had moved to 612 Berkley Street. Eliza Moore passed away in 1924. Smith Moore was still at 612 Berkley Street when the Census was taken in April of 1930. His widowed stepdaughter Mrs. Kathryn Jackson and her son William Jackson Jr. were living with him. Smith Moore passed away in 1931.
Camden’s New Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s New Firemen.
The fire commissioners of Camden have made the following appointments, and the men will go on duty next Saturday: Engine No. 1—Foreman, George Tenner; extra men, James McCracken, Daniel Broomley, James S. Kelley, Michael McCaffery, James H. Brown, Thomas McKenna, James Shinn, Smith Moore, William Irelan. Engine No 2—Foreman, William Bassett; extra men, John Hill, James Reed, Robert Miller, William Marsh, George Moffett, John J. Logan, Isaac M. Shreve, Samuel Welsh, Lewis Ferrell, Logan Bates, Isaac Collings, Harry Miles, John Elliott, William Turner, Charles Holl, John J. Hibbs, John Seybold, Wm. Suders, Edward Swope, James McCann.
(untitled)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
After having George Johnson, an employee, arrested for embezzlement, Smith Moore yesterday appealed to Recorder Stackhouse to give the defendant another chance. Johnson was accordingly discharged, leaving with the forgiving complainant.
With His Bandana He Halted Express
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Policeman Stopped Train at Crossing When Horse and Wagon Became Fast on Tracks
By waving a bandana handkerchief, Policeman Appley averted what would undoubtedly have been a fatal grade crossing accident at the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad and Atlantic avenue, Camden, yesterday. An express train that had been gaining speed for a run to Atlantic City was stopped within a few feet of the wagon of Smith Moore, which had become mired.
At that point repairs are being made, resulting in the crossing being little better than a disused country road. When Moore attempted to drive across, the wheels of the wagon became fastened in the ground and the horse was unable to move. It was at this time that the policeman realized the predicament of Moore. Knowing the express was due at any moment, Appley was in a quandary as to what to do until he thought of his bandana handkerchief. Then, when the locomotive appeared, he waved the bandana frequently. It was seen by the engineer, who brought the train to a stop so suddenly that the passengers were thrown from their seats. After a slight delay Moore succeeded in getting out of the way and the train proceeded.
Let Him Off Easy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Confessed Embezzler Makes Restitution by Weekly Payments
Arraigned before Magistrate Smith, in Camden Police Court yesterday, on a charge of embezzling $50 from Smith C. Moore, by whom he was employed as a driver, Walter Sayers, aged 38 years, said he was perfectly willing to make restitution in weekly payments.
“I’m willing to accept his offer,” said Smith, “for otherwise his family would be the sufferer.”
The money Sayers was accused of taking had been entrusted to his care for the purchase of potatoes.