Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ing the position seven or eight years, and
during that time he purchased the department
and conducted it on his own account.
Meanwhile he continued his studies in
optometry under the guidance of Dr. Ern-
est W. Good, also attending Friedland-
er's School of Optometry. In 1912, while
still associated with A. Hawkins, Mr.
Moore opened an office in South Norwalk,
where he transacted business three eve-
nings in each week. By the time his lease
in New York expired, which was on May
1, 1913, his business in South Norwalk
had grown to such proportions as to justify
him in giving it his entire time. He
is the only optician between Stamford and
Bridgeport who does his own grinding,
and in all departments of the business he
has achieved a noteworthy success.
The political principles of Mr. Moore
are those upheld by the Democratic party,
and for a number of years he has been
active in municipal affairs. For two years
he represented the Second District in the
Board of Aldermen, and for a time filled
the office of justice of the peace, his knowledge
of law standing him in such good
stead that not one of his decisions was
ever reversed. He also served as police
commissioner of the city of Norwalk. He
is a charter member of the Rowayton
Hose Company.
The fraternal associations of Mr. Moore
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
are numerous. He affiliates with Hill
Grove Lodge, No. 540, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Brooklyn, New York, and the
Mouker Grotto, of Norwalk, also the Improved
Order of Red Men. He belongs
to Lincoln Council, No. 4, Senior Order
of United American Mechanics, of Roway-
ton, and is a member and past councillor
of President William McKinley Council,
Xo. 176, Junior Order of United Ameri-
can Mechanics, of Brooklyn. He has
served as deputy State councillor of New
York.
That Mr. Moore is a man of complex
personality appears in the fact that he
possesses the essential qualities of both a
business man and a scientist, and with
them he unites a mind capable of acquiring
and applying the principles which
constitute the foundation of the theory
and practice of the law. In addition to
300
these his mental equipment includes yet
another set of attributes, those necessary
for success in historic endeavor. He is
keenly interested in amateur minstrels
and has coached, with very gratifying re-
sults, a number of local shows for various
organizations. Over and above this, he
has achieved, in the role of a black-face
comedian, a high degree of local celebrity.
His clubs are the South Norwalk, and the
Trinity Club of Trinity Protestant Epis-
copal Church.
Mr. Moore married Blanche Ethel Mor-
ris, of Brooklyn, New York, a representa-
tive of a family of very ancient origin.
The name Morris is said to be derived
from two sources, one of native Welsh
origin, the other coming from the Conti-
nent of Europe. It is variously spelled,
and is compounded with certain initial
expressions, as DeMont, Fitz, Clan and
others. When these latter occur and
when the name is spelled Maurice, it may
generally be regarded as of Continental
origin, and perhaps of Moorish derivation,
coming from Africa by way of Spain and
Western Europe at an early period. The
Morrice dance and the several branches
of magic lore were introduced into those
regions by natives of Morocco. Several
magnates bearing the names of Morrice,
Fitz-Morrice and Mont-Morrice attended
William the Conqueror to England and
acquired land there. The name is also