John Henry Moore

John Henry Moore (August 13, 1800 – December 2, 1880) was an American soldier, farmer and early Texian settler. Moore was one of the Old Three Hundred first land grantees to settle in Mexican Texas and fought in Texas Revolution, most notably leading the rebels during the Battle of Gonzales, the first military engagement of the rebellion.

Early life Moore was born August 13, 1800, in Rome, Smith County, Tennessee. In 1818, Moore ran away from college to the Mexican state of Texas to avoid studying Latin. His father tracked him down and they both returned to Tennessee, but Moore returned to Texas in 1821 as one of the original Anglo-American settlers led by Stephen Austin under the authority of the Mexican government.

Life in Texas Moore received the title to a parcel of land along the Colorado river in Brazoria County which he developed into a farm. In 1828, he married Eliza Cummins, the daughter of James Cummins, the alcalde of San Felipe. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to present-day La Grange, Texas, where Moore oversaw the construction of Moore's Fort. He also began his military career by organizing and leading a militia in an expedition against Waco and Tawakoni Indians along the Brazos River. A year later in July 1835, he led four companies of volunteers to attack a Tawakoni encampment in Limestone County.

Moore was elected Colonel in the Texian Army and served on the council of war for Texas. He was ordered by Stephen Austin to organize a company of cavalry to be equipped with shotguns and pistols. During the war, he lost much of his property, including slaves, but he was able to recover somewhat financially. John Moore died on December 2, 1880, and was buried in a family cemetery eight miles north of La Grange.