1834, leaving four sons, of whom James, the subject of our present sketch, was the eldest.
After his academic course, he entered the university, and graduated in 1831, in the same class with Giles Mebane, Calvin Jones, Jacob Thompson, De B. Hooper, and others. As a scholar, young Grant was among the first of his class; and gave early presage of that high order of ability which has since achieved for him friends, fortune and fame.
He read law, and with that enterprise which marks his character he left his native state, and sought his fortunes in the growing west. He first settled in Illinois, and subsequently removed to Iowa, whilst it was yet a territory. In 1846, he aided in organizing the constitution of the embryo state, and thus became identified with its history. Here he pursued with energy, integrity, and success, a career of professional labor and attained the highest judicial honors, he has also amassed a princely fortune. He now occupies a professional position second to no lawyer in the great northwest. During the troubles of the civil war his generous character was shown in contributing to the comfort and relief of the unfortunate confederate prisoners. At the late commencement he gave to his Alma mater substantial proofs of his munificent liberality. He delivered, at the commencement of 1878, an address before the Alumni society, distinguished for its ability, research, pathos and eloquence.
Bartholomew Figures Moore, born January 29, 1801, died November 29, 1878, was a native of Halifax; born near Fishing Creek, in the upper part of the county; the fifth son of James Moore, a revolutionary soldier.
Having been prepared for college, he entered the Sophomore class, and graduated in June, 1820, in the same class with William H. Battle, Bishop Otey, Archibald G. Carter, and others.
He read law with Thomas N. Mann, of Nash County, one of the most gifted lawyers of his day, and was licensed in 1823. He settled first in Nashville, and then removed to Halifax, where he resided for many years, until he moved to Raleigh, where he lived until his death.
He was elected a member of the legislature in 1836,-'40,'42 and '44. He was defeated by one vote, in 1838, in consequence of the support he had given to aid in the construction of the Wilmington and Weldon railroad. In 1846, he declined being a candidate, and never again appeared as a politician. His course in the legislature was marked by intelligence, independence, and integrity. Never did the state have a more devoted and selfsacrificing citizen. A mere politician he never was. Clear in his convictions of right, outspoken in his views, and firm, decided and fearless in his opinions, he was little fitted for polities. Highly as he appreciated the confidence and regard of his countrymen, he never courted popular applause at the expense of principles. This was a popularity that followed him, but never was pursued by him. Therefore, in the law and its study, his great faculties found ample and appropriate exercise, and in its practice he had no superior. His reputation was fixed on a high and permanent foundation by a brief filed in the case of State v. Will, (1st Devereux and Battle.) That argument, then, was without a superior in the legal history of the state, and so stands to this day. It is, indeed, a model without a rival.
In May, 1848, he was appointed by Governor Graham, attorney general of the state, (and in December, he was elected to the position by the legislature) which he resigned in consequence of being appointed on a commission "to revise the statute laws of the state."
His associates in this work was Asa Biggs and R. M. Saunders. They performed this duty in an able manner and submitted their work to the legislature of 1854,-'55.
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