From History of Grant County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 968.

GEN. J. B. MOORE, Muscoda. Gen. Moore was born in Posey Co., Ind., March 14, 1825. His early years were passed in the place of his birth. In 1837, his parents removed to what was then the Territory of Wisconsin, settling near Muscoda. During his youth, he received a common-school education, completing his studies at the Platteville Academy during the years 1843-44. In 1853, Mr. Moore opened a store at Muscoda, and continued in mercantile pursuits for some time. He served in the Legislature of 1860 as member of the Assembly for his district, and, the succeeding year, was elected Sheriff of Grant Co., making one of the most popular officials that had held that office. During this interval, the great war of the rebellion had broken out. Recruiting had been actively going on from the first throughout the county; and, at one time, it was intended to form a Grant County Regiment, to be composed, rank, file and field officers, of the inhabitants of this county. Prominent among those whose names were mentioned for appointments in the proposed regiment was Sheriff Moore. Circumstances prevented the consummation of the project; but, upon the formation of the 33d W. V. I., the colonelcy was tendered to Mr. Moore, and accepted by him, the commission bearing the date of Aug. 30, 1862. On the 8th of September, he was commissioned Post Commandant at Camp Utley, Racine, at which place the companies composing the Forty-third were ordered to report. Col. Moore took command of the post on the 29th of September, and commenced at once preparing his regiment for the field. The regiment soon after left for the South, and, upon arriving at Memphis, Tenn., Col. Moore was detached from his regiment, and assigned to the command of the Third Brigade. Upon the transfer of the Thirty-third to the Fourth Division, at the request of Gen. Lawman, Col. Moore once more assumed command of his regiment. In March, 1864, Col. Moore was ordered to assume command of the First Brigade of Gen. Kilby Smith's Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. With his brigade, Col. Moore took part in the ill-fated Red River expedition of that year. Upon the organization of the detachment of the Army of the Tennessee in December, 1864, Col. Moore was assigned to the command of the Third Division. In the January following, he was relieved from the command upon the return of Gen. Kilby Smith. In the order announcing the change, the Commanding General took occasion to say: "In relieving Col. Moore, the Major General Commanding desires to express his high appreciation of the able, thorough and soldierly manner with which he has executed the trust confided to him in this command." He was, however, soon after returned to the command of his old division. On the 17th of August, Col. Moore was relieved by Gen. Carr, the former being assigned to the command of the First Brigade. While in command of this brigade, he took part in the attack on Mobile and Spanish Fort, leading the charge against the latter in person. A little later, he was ordered to Vicksburg, where he was mustered out Aug. 9, 1865. During his term of service, Col. Moore participated in three sieges, nine battles and eleven skirmishes. He was twice commissioned Brevet Brigadier General. The first commission bearing date April 7, 1865, for gallantry at the battle of Nashville, where he commanded the Third Division Detachment of the Army of the Tennessee. The second commission bore date April 9, 1866, being issued "for faithful and meritorious services during the campaign against the city of Mobile and its defenses." Upon his return from the South, Gen. Moore located at Muscoda, where he soon after erected the bridge across the Wisconsin River at that point, an undertaking which marked the turning-point in Muscoda's commercial history. Gen. Moore is at present the owner of a large amount of real estate, in and about Muscoda, which, with operating of his bridge occupies the greater portion of his time. In the political questions of the day, the General takes a deep interest, being a thorough and consistent Republican. Endowed with a kindly, generous nature, affable and public spirited, Gen. Moore is a noticeable figure among the many prominent men of Grant Co.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns. If you would like a better quality copy of the portrait, please contact her.