STEPHEN DECATUR MOORE
14th Master, 1884-1885
S. D. Moore was a native of New Albany, Indiana, and was born about 1837 or 1838. He spent 20 years as a steamboat pilot and captain on the Mississippi River. After losing his steamboat, the Pioneer, in a storm near Fort Adams, Mississippi, he came to Texas in 1871 and continued in the maritime business until 1874. That year he was in command of the steamer Stonewall and made a voyage from Galveston to Tampico and then ascended the Panuco River up to the Caprido River and thence up that stream to Temporal, a point never before reached by an American vessel.
He was made a Mason in 1852 but information is not available as to where. He affiliated with Corsicana Lodge No. 174 on October 16, 1880, demitted November 18, 1882, and affiliated with Gray Lodge on February 2, 1883. He was a very zealous Mason and was Grand Tiler of the Grand Lodge from 1889 for several years and then was selected Grand Treasurer, serving from December 8, 1892, until December 8, 1898.
About 1898 or 1899, he moved to California and in early 1900 was ill and in need. Gray Lodge made several contributions to his assistance at that time. On November 5, 1913, he was back in Houston and in attendance at the stated meeting of Gray Lodge. The Master requested him to address the Lodge as one of the oldest Masters of Gray. He reviewed his early associations with Gray Lodge and noted the fact that only two members were present that he remembered.
He was a York Rite Mason, High Priest of Washington Chapter No.2 in 1886-87 and received the Order of High Priesthood on December 16, 1886. He was Eminent Commander of Ruthven Commandery No.2, K. T., in 1889. He was Grand Guard of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter from 1888 until 1892, being first appointed to fill the unexpired term of Simon Conradi who had moved to California. He was elected Grand Treasurer of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1892 and served until 1898.
He was also a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32º with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. He was the first Venerable Master of San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection, serving in 1884, 1885 and 1886. He was Secretary of the Lodge of Perfection from 1894 to 1898.
He was the first Great Sachem of Texas in the Order of Red Men.
He died June 8, 1915, survived by his widow; a daughter, Mrs. B. A. Randolph; two sons, John D. and Albert P. Moore. Rev. T. J. Sloan, Episcopal minister, conducted the religious rites with burial in Glenwood with Masonic rites by Gray Lodge.