J. V. A. (James Virgil Alexander) Moore (1865−1962) grew up in the Tusquittee Valley and became a leader in Adult Education; he was also noted for his beautiful penmanship. “At one time Moore was rated the second best penman in the United States” (Bill Sharpe, A New Geography of North Carolina). He attended the Hicks Academy, the first college in Clay County, started in 1870 (see section on John Hicks in this Chapter and in Chapter on Schools and Education) and taught penmanship there at the same time to defray expenses (Ibid.). He also attended North Carolina’s State Teachers College in Cullowhee. He taught at the local Oak View School (also known as Chigger Hill School) for a number of years. The Genealogy File in the Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville contains a copy of his class roster and his 1910 teacher’s contract that states that he taught for the sum of $25 per month (see copy of the contract in Chapter on Schools and Education.) Surpassing his reputation for being the best penmanship teacher, he is best remembered for starting the first Adult Literacy classes in North Carolina, and possibly in the nation, and for being County historian (Ibid.). An article in 1947, “This Week’s Personality,” said, “Mr. Moore has more information on the history of Clay County and its people than any living man.” Also, he “maintained a large personal lending library…” (Ibid.) and is credited for starting the first rural library in the County, located in the Peckerwood Creek Community. “He was a farmer, a letter-writer, and a “born teacher” (Ibid.).
Uploading ....