Kirke T. Moore papers

Kirke Tonnor Moore (1882-1938) was born in Topeka, Kansas on October 4, 1882 to parents Milton Randolph Moore and Annie J. (Perkins) Moore. Milton Moore was enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War but after being wounded in battle at age 17, he moved to Arizona in 1889 and served as a member of the 18th Territorial Legislature from Pinal County.

Kirke Moore received an early education in Monrovia, California. The family ended up in the Casa Grande area, however, and eventually Kirke would attend the University of Arizona. He received a BA degree in classical studies at the University of Arizona, then went on to law school at Stanford, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1908. While at Stanford, he was a member of the President's Student Council, Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and Delta Chi fraternity.

Moore returned to the Arizona Territory in 1908 and was admitted to the Arizona bar. He would soon go on to be a member of the US District and Supreme Courts.

In 1912, Moore married Catherine Isabelle Devine, daughter of James and Ellen Devine (both natives of Ireland). The couple would go on to have three children: Sheila (b. 1913), Milton (b. 1917), and Tom (b. 1923).

Moore continued working as a lawyer and politically affiliated with the Republican Party. He served as the county attorney for Pima County from 1917 to 1919, was appointed to the bench of the Superior Court, and was assistant US District Attorney from 1924-1925.

In 1909, he was appointed State Superintendent of Public Instruction by Governor Kibbey and was reappointed to that position by Governor Sloan in 1911. He was also a member of the last Territorial Legislature and the first State Legislature.

Moore had an avid interest in aviation and was instrumental in setting land aside that would be used for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Many referred to Moore as the 'Father of Arizona Aviation.'

Moore died March 15, 1938.