Creating Fiction from History: 11/9/2022

Sir Robert Moore was born of Scottish ancestry to John and Mary Moore on the official centennial of the birth of this great nation. The family farm was halfway between Lansing and Waukon, on the outskirts of what would soon become the unincorporated community known as Church. John and Mary were heavily involved in the founding of this little community.

Born on the fourth of July, at 3:04 in the morning, Robert was a difficult child from day one. First of all, he presented breach and emerged from his mother's womb looking like a Smurf. Of course, back then, no one knew even knew what a Smurf was. (His parents should have known, being recently from Scotland, as Smurfs are simply a modern iteration of what the Scottish called 'the Little People'.)

Obviously, Robert came through with flying colors, but was ever after, until about 15 years of age, reminiscent of one of the Little People, in his actions anyway.

Little Robert, even at an early age, though full to overflowing with mischief, was definitely not little, being rather large for his age. By the time this photograph was taken, which might depict Robert in 1895, the year before his whirlwind romance and consequent marriage to Marit Gjefle (her family's cabin, built in 1872, still stands in the environs of Waukon, having been fully restored by the Allamakee County Historical Society), Robert had grown into his rather large vertical frame, reaching a staggering height of well over six and a half feet (6' 7", to be exact).

Marit became Robert's lady on January 18th, 1896, the year he would turn 20 years of age and she was just slightly older at 21. Along with Robert and Marit's many other accomplishments, many of which never saw the light of day, the Moore family may have been instrumental in bringing both the postal and telephone offices to their little community. They may have also helped a neighboring family operate The Calhoun Creamery, which was run as a full-fledged creamery for many years but now operated as a pick-up station, funneling over 137 million pounds of milk per year.

If you would like to create fiction from history with one of the museum's photos, please contact the Ledger at (406) 287-5301 or email whledger@gmail.com.