[1] He served seven months in office as governor, his two-year term ending prematurely when Washington attained statehood in November 1889.

In 1869, he partnered with H. E. Johnson and Company to form Paine Brothers and Moore, where he worked until 1877 as a dealer of general merchandise and farm supplies.

[2] In March 1889, Moore was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison as the final Governor of Washington Territory.

Taking office in April 1889, he dealt with major fire disasters in Seattle, Spokane, and Ellensburg while preparing for the transition from territory to statehood on November 11, 1889.

Moore served as vice-president and president of the Baker-Boyer National Bank, and three years on the executive council of the American Bankers Association.