Gabriel Moore

Gabriel Moore

Gabriel Moore (born January 1, 1785 in Stokes County , North Carolina , † June 9, 1845 in Caddo , Texas ) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and the 5th governor of Alabama . He also represented this state in both chambers of Congress .

Early years and political advancement

Gabriel Moore, son of Matthew and Letita Moore, studied law at the University of North Carolina and was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1810. He then moved to Mississippi Territory , where he settled in Huntsville . There he practiced as a lawyer and later went into politics. Moore was a member of the Mississippi and Alabama House of Representatives , where he held the role of speaker in 1817. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of Alabama in 1819, and of the Alabama Senate between 1819 and 1820 , of which he was chairman in 1820. He was later elected several times to the US House of Representatives, where he served between 1821 and 1829.

Governor of Alabama

Moore decided in 1829 to run for governor of Alabama. He was elected on August 3, 1829, with practically no opposition. He was sworn in on November 25, 1829. During his tenure, an amendment to the state constitution was passed that set a six-year limit for judges in the Alabama Supreme Court. The first railroad was designed and construction of the Tennessee River Canal in the Muscle Shoals area began. The contract was also negotiated by Dancing Rabbit Creek . Moore had opposed the establishment of the US bank, defended the completion of public land sales, pushed for a change in the penal code, and advocated the creation of a state penal institution. He was also a staunch supporter of the University of Alabama , which was about to open.

Senator from Alabama

Considered one of the most capable and glamorous early governors, Moore was elected to the US Senate in 1831 . Thereupon he resigned prematurely as governor on March 3, 1831, in order to be able to take office as senator the following day. He was then re-elected two more times. He served in the US Senate from 1831 to 1837. He later moved to Caddo, Texas in 1843, where he also died a year later. He was married to Mary P. Caller, but they divorced.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

Commons : Gabriel Moore  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Gabriel Moore in the National Governors Association (English)
• Gabriel Moore in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Gabriel Moore in the database of Find a Grave (English)