My Contribution: I faithfully served the residents of Harrisburg’s Eighth Ward in its final days as a representative of the city’s common council. I supported the unification and organization of Black voters to make their voices heard through the polls and was a supporter of the City Beautiful movement in the city. I spent my life dedicated to the betterment of my community through leadership of local organizations including the Masons and Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church.
My Legacy: I worked to change the perception of the Eighth Ward to the outward community and worked with the city to make real changes on behalf of our community, including increased police patrol and beautification. I am remembered through the naming of a masonic lodge, Percy C. Moore Lodge 140 in Philadelphia.
About Me: “Mr. Moore is a gentleman of worth to the community and we are confident that if elected, he will serve the people of his ward acceptably and look out for the interests of the whole city.” — Harrisburg Telegraph, February 14, 1910.
“Mr. Moore takes an active interest in all race enterprises and is looked upon favorably by the leaders and moulders of public sen- timent in Harrisburg.” — Pennsylvania Negro Business Directory 1910.
Full Name: Percy Clinton Moore
Birth Date: January 25, 1877
Death Date: February 18, 1947
Place of Birth: West Virgina
Sex: Male
Race: Black (1920 Federal Census), “Negro” (1930 and 1940 Federal Censuses
Places of Residence: 414 South Street (1911), 522 South Street (1912), 417 Walnut Street (1913), 1220 N. Seventh Street, and 625 Harris Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Mont Alto Sanatorium
Connection to the Old Eighth Ward: Lived immediately north in the Seventh Ward; represented Eighth Ward as city council member; member of Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church.
Family Members: Father: Richard Moore. Mother: Mary E. (Banks) Moore. Sibling: Reuben Moore. Wife: Cora Alice (Simmons) Moore. Father-in-Law: Landreth Simmons. Sister-in-Law: Lillie Simmons. Children: Charles Moore, Per- cy Moore, Jr. Granddaughter: Sandra Kay Moore.
Education: Storer College, West Virginia
Occupations: Waiter and caterer. Member, city common council, Eighth Ward (1910-1912). Stenographer, State Fire Marshal Department. Clerk, State Capitol. Bureau of Fire Protection of the Pennsylvania State Police
Church Membership: Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church
Activism: Chosen Friends Lodge No. 43 (member and Worshipful Grand Master), Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church (various offices), Common Councilman, Harrisburg Homes Company (Board of Directors), City Beautiful efforts in Eighth Ward, William C. Sproul Republican League of Dauphin County, Citizens’ Club (Founder; club to unite all Black voters of the city), WWI Draft Board
Connections: William E. Marshall served on the Board of Directors of the Harrisburg Homes Company. Supporter of Republican political efforts with Luther Newman, Harry Burrs, Dr. Charles Crampton, and Dr. A. Leslie Marshall.
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