Biographical Sketches of Early Brazos County Citizens
Bryan Public Library, Bryan, Texas
(C. Avis Catalog entry #686)
James S. Mooring proprietor and manager of the Exchange Hotel of Bryan, Texas is a native of Sumter County, Ala. He was born December 5, 1841. Lewellyn, James father was born in North Carolina in 1816, was a farmer and stock raiser, and died in 1879. His wife, whose maiden name was Sallie Wilkinson, was born in North Carolina in 1817 and is now living in Grimes County, Texas, whither she came with her husband and family in 1842. James S. Mooring was only six months old when his parents moved to Texas. His early training and education were received in Grimes County, by attending the district school. He worked on the farm till the beginning of the late war between the North and the South, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company G, Fourth Texas regiment, Hood's brigade. He participated in many of the hard fought battles, some of which are given: Seven days fighting around Richmond, Battle of Gettysburg, Seven Oaks, Sharpsburg, Chickamauga and the battle of the Wilderness. He was wounded on the second day of the battle of the Wilderness, being shot through the left arm, the use of which he lost entirely. He was sent to the hospital, and when convalescent procured a thirty days furlough and came home. Before the limit of the furlough expired the war closed. He then engaged in the hotel business at Navasota, Grimes county, which he continued till 1880, when he came to Bryan and bought the Exchange Hotel, his present home.
Mr. Mooring was married in, June, 1865 to Miss Lucy, a daughter of Norman Talifferro, of Lynchburg, Virginia. Two children are now living as the result of this union, namely Sallie Hood and James B., Jr. Mr. Mooring has been somewhat active in politics, and during his sojourn in Navasota held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Postmaster. He is a member of the I.O.O.