Hilmar Moore

Hilmar Moore
Moore in September 2012
Mayor of Richmond, Texas
In office
September 22, 1949 – December 4, 2012
Preceded byWilbert Lee Ansel[1]
Succeeded byEvalyn W. Moore
Personal details
Born
Hilmar Guenther Moore

(1920-07-28)July 28, 1920
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 2012(2012-12-04) (aged 92)
Richmond, Texas, U.S.
Political partyIndependent
Spouses
Hallie Kelley Peareson
​
​
(died 1982)​
Evalyn Wendt
​
(m. 1984)​
Parents
  • John M. Moore Jr. (father)
  • Dorothea Guenther Moore (mother)
Alma materUniversity of Texas School of Law
Known forLongest-serving Mayor in Texas
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army Air Corps
Years of service1942–1945
Unit4th Emergency Rescue Squadron
Battles/wars

Hilmar Guenther Moore (/ˈhɪlmər ˈɡʊnθər/; July 28, 1920 – December 4, 2012) was an American rancher and long-time mayor of Richmond, Texas, for over 60 years. He was the longest-serving mayor in Texas, and possibly the United States.

Biography

Hilmar Moore was a cattleman and a fifth-generation Texan, the great-great grandson of a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence,[2] and grandson of U.S. congressman John Matthew Moore. His maternal great grandfather was Carl Hilmar Guenther.[3] Moore's father John Matthew Moore Jr. served also as Mayor of Richmond. Moore served in World War II.[4] Moore was married to Evalyn Wendt Moore, who succeeded him as mayor.[5]

Mayor of Richmond

Moore was first appointed to fill an unexpired term as mayor of Richmond in September 1949 and won 32 elections,[2] remaining in office until his death in 2012. He was opposed fewer than 10 times. He won against his last opponent in 1996 in a 337 to 42 vote. Moore is believed to be the longest-serving elected official in the United States.[6] A 2008 BBC News report referred to him as "probably the longest-serving elected official in the U.S.",[7] though even as late as 2012 Richmond only described him as the longest serving mayor in Texas, and the second in the US.[8]

In the segregated 1950s and 1960s, Moore persuaded restaurants in Richmond to integrate.[9] He was president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association from 1974 to 1976.[10] In 1976, Moore registered as both a Republican and a Democrat.[2]

He was honored with a life-size statue at City Hall in October 2008.[11]

Moore's father, John Jr., served as a two-term Mayor of Richmond and a two-term judge in Fort Bend County, Texas.[12] Hilmar's grandfather, John Sr., was a U.S. congressman and member of Texas House of Representatives.[12][13]

Chair of Texas Welfare Board

Moore was appointed to the Department of Human Resources by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe.[14] In 1980, a controversy erupted when Moore voiced his view that welfare parents should be sterilized.[15]

Death

Moore died on December 4, 2012. A memorial service was held on December 10.[16][17][4] Pete Olson and Tom DeLay were two of many political figures that attended his funeral.[2]

His widow, Evalyn W. Moore, was appointed to serve out the remainder of his term, who in turn served until she was defeated by Rebecca Kennelly Haas in the 2020 mayoral election.[18]

Texas House Resolution No. 2103 was passed in his honor.[19]

References

  1. ^ Griffin, Marquita (December 6, 2012). "Hilmar Moore remembered by friends". Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Fernandez, Manny (December 10, 2012). "Town Mourns a Mayor Who Had Staying Power". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Hilmar Guenther Moore". Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster. December 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore passes away; believed to be longest serving mayor in U.S." ABC News. December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  5. ^ "Mayor Evalyn W. Moore". Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Fama, Jillian (December 5, 2012). "Texas Mayor Dies After Serving 63 Years". ABC News.
  7. ^ Kevin Connolly (November 27, 2008). "Texas mulls defeat in battle of ideas". BBC News. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  8. ^ Richmond page about Moore from 2012
  9. ^ Stewart, Richard (December 29, 2008). "Richmond mayor's 60 years on job may be record". Chron.
  10. ^ "Iconic rancher, TSCRA president dies at 92". Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. December 5, 2012.
  11. ^ Stewart, Richard. "Meet America's (likely) longest-serving mayor", The Houston Chronicle, December 29, 2008. Accessed December 29, 2008.
  12. ^ a b Adams, Denise (May 6, 2005). "Moore's headstone to get historic marker". Fort Bend Herald. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
  13. ^ "60-year mayor running for re-election". KLTV. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  14. ^ "Moore's appointment reaffirmed by panel". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Corpus Christi, Texas. May 29, 1975. p. 30. Retrieved November 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Mayor Calls for Sterilization of Welfare Parents". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. March 17, 1980. p. 8. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  16. ^ "Hilmar Guenther Moore". Fort Bend Southwest Star Newspaper. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  17. ^ Richmond Mayor celebrated for legacy, Richmond Sun, August 7, 2008, Retrieved December 29, 2008[dead link‍]
  18. ^ Herman, Ken (November 27, 2020). "The end of a small-town Texas political dynasty". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "H. R. No. 2103". Texas Legislature Online.