03/12/2021
Moore Family Angel at Maple Hill in Helena
Helena, Arkansas has seen many important families grace it's streets through the years. Some have visited a short time and left, while others remain here forever. One of those families who made an important mark on this city is the Moore family. They were important businessmen and entrepreneurs. Many of that family are interred at historic Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena. This cemetery is well known for it's monuments and history. Many of the markers are adorned with statues and tell fascinating stories. This is true of the Moore family section as well.
A beautiful statue of an angel graces a trio of markers dedicated to the memories of one branch of this Moore family. Directly under the angel lies a memorial to Ophelia Polk Moore. She was born September 7, 1867 and died at the youthful age of twenty three. Ophelia was killed in a train derailment at Statesville, North Carolina on August 27, 1891. This beautiful young lady was the only daughter of Major William E. and Naomi Hayes Moore. Her mother was so grieved by the loss, that she began a home for orphan girls named the Ophelia Moore Home. The Moore's did have another child. His name was Leslie, but sadly he passed away at the age of two on July 8, 1874.
To the left of the angel monument lies the grave of William Edwin Moore. He was born September 20, 1828 in Alabama to William Francis and Margaret Moore. Soon after, the family moved to Helena, Arkansas. During the Mexican War, William served in Captain J. Preston's Company K of the Arkansas Mounted Infantry. Afterward, the young man moved to Nebraska where he served as a U.S. Marshal and member of the legislature. Upon the secession of Arkansas from the Union though, Moore returned home and joined the Confederate army. He was appointed captain and Acting Commissary of Subsistence or A.C.S. for General William J. Hardee on September 2, 1861. On December 5th, he was announced as Captain and Chief Commissary of the Central Army of Kentucky, Department Number 2, General Hardee commanding. At the Battle of Shiloh, Moore is mentioned as Major and Chief Commissary for Hardee. William Moore would hold that rank for the remainder of the war. On January 15, 1864, he is announced as Major and Chief of Subsistence to General Joseph Johnston in the Army of Tennessee. Major Moore retained this position until the surrender of that army. He was paroled April 26, 1865 and returned to the life of a citizen and merchant. While in the army, he met and married Naomi Hayes at Columbia, Tennessee on December 18, 1864. Major Moore and his wife were very involved with returning the remains of Patrick Cleburne to Helena and erecting the two statues at the Confederate Cemetery located at Maple Hill. William E. Moore passed away on February 28, 1893 because of complications from a stroke.
The memorial to Naomi Hayes Moore is located to the right of her daughter. She was born November 28, 1838 at Columbia in Maury County, Tennessee to Dr. John Brown Hayes and Ophelia Clarissa Polk. Naomi was a niece to President James K. Polk and living near Columbia when she met her future husband William Moore. Mrs. Moore was a prominent member of the Episcopal Church and a promoter of charitable groups. Naomi was also President of the Phillips County Memorial Association. She passed away on February 13, 1894 in Helena. Above her was inscribed in stone only two words, "My Mother." #
