Milton E. Moore (1847-1912), Cameron, MO

Milton E. Moore was one of the most illustrious and dynamic early day dairy leaders in Missouri. He was born January 6, 1847 at Parkman, Ohio. His parents were Nathaniel and Harriet Moore. He graduated from college in Ohio and also completed a commercial business course. In 1868 he moved to Cameron, MO where he dealt in real estate and established the first cheese plant in Missouri. He later added three additional cheese plants—all successful. For over 30 years he was the foremost dairy cattle breeder, showman and dairy leader in the Midwest.

Mr. Moore recognized the need for better milk cows if his cheese plants were to succeed. In 1881, soon after the first Holsteins were imported to this country, he purchased a number of outstanding animals imported from the Netherlands. In 1889 his cow Gerben 4th, 643AR became the first 32-lb. cow in America. Empress Josephine, progenitor of the “Josephine family” of Holsteins was another of his foundation cows. In 1904 Mr. Moore, in association with R.W. Maguire, St. Louis and Dr. George C. Mosher, Kansas City, exhibited the Senior and Grand Champion Bull and Cow and several other class winners at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Moore cattle contributed to the establishment of many Missouri Holstein herds. Included was the first four foundation heifers bought by the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1902 to establish its herd. From this purchase the world famous Missouri Chief Josephine descended in 1910—making a national and then world record of 26,681 lbs. milk and 740 lbs. of fat in 365 days. It is often said that Missouri Chief Josephine put Missouri dairying on the map.

Mr. Moore was the organizer and first president of the Missouri Valley Holstein-Friesian Association, which had over 100 members in 15 states in 1892. He later headed the Western Holstein-Friesian Association which, had its own herdbook (registry) until its merger with the Holstein-Friesian Association of America in 1898.

In December 1878 Mr. Moore married Lavern Grover. Two children, Dr. Dalzell Moore, a physician in St. Louis, and Mrs. William Zimmerman, Cameron, were born to this union. Both are now deceased. Mr. Moore’s daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Zimmerman and later their son Clarence continued to operate the herd until April 15, 1958 when it was dispersed due to an accident suffered by Clarence.

In closing, attention must be called to Mr. Moore’s strong support of the Cameron Methodist Church and Missouri Wesleyan College. He also gave generously of his time and means to the school system of Cameron.

We are fortunate that this outstanding pioneer dairy leader can be recognized by the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation.