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.
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[2]
    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 grandson of U.S. congressman John Matthew Moore. Moore's father John Matthew Moore Jr. served also as Mayor of Richmond. Moore served in World War II.[3] Moore was married to Evalyn Wendt Moore, who succeeded him as mayor.[4]

    Mayor of Richmond

    Moore was first elected as the Mayor of Richmond in 1949 and remained in office until his death in 2012, making him "probably the longest-serving elected official in the U.S.," according to a 2008 BBC News report,[5] though even as late as 2012 Richmond only described him as the longest serving Mayor in Texas, and the second in the US.[6]

    In the segregated 1950s and 1960s, Moore persuaded restaurants in Richmond to integrate.[7]

    He was honored with a life-size statue at City Hall in October 2008.[8]

    Moore's father, John Jr., served as a two-term Mayor of Richmond and a two-term judge in Fort Bend County, Texas.[9] Hilmar's grandfather, John Sr., was a U.S. congressman and member of Texas House of Representatives.[9][10]

    Chair of Texas Welfare Board

    Moore was appointed to the Department of Human Resources by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe.[11] In 1980, a controversy erupted when Moore voiced his view that welfare parents should be sterilized.[12]

    Death

    Moore died on December 4, 2012. A memorial service was held on December 10.[13][14][3]

    His widow, Evalyn W. Moore, was appointed to serve out the remainder of his term, who in turn served until she was defeated by Rebeccca Kennelly Haas in the 2020 mayoral election.[15]

    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. ↑ "Hilmar Guenther Moore". Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster. December 6, 2012.
    3. 1 2 "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.
    4. ↑ "Mayor Evalyn W. Moore". Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
    5. ↑ Kevin Connolly (November 27, 2008). "Texas mulls defeat in battle of ideas". BBC News. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
    6. ↑ Richmond page about Moore from 2012
    7. ↑ Stewart, Richard (December 29, 2008). "Richmond mayor's 60 years on job may be record". Chron.
    8. ↑ Stewart, Richard. "Meet America's (likely) longest-serving mayor", The Houston Chronicle, December 29, 2008. Accessed December 29, 2008.
    9. 1 2 Adams, Denise (May 6, 2005). "Moore's headstone to get historic marker". Fort Bend Herald. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
    10. ↑ "60-year mayor running for re-election". KLTV. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
    11. ↑ "Moore's appointment reaffirmed by panel". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Corpus Christi, Texas. May 29, 1975. p. 30. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
    12. ↑ "Mayor Calls for Sterilization of Welfare Parents". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. March 17, 1980. p. 8. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
    13. ↑ "Hilmar Guenther Moore". Fort Bend Southwest Star Newspaper. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
    14. ↑ Richmond Mayor celebrated for legacy, Richmond Sun, August 7, 2008, Retrieved December 29, 2008
    15. ↑ 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.
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