Ralph Hugh Moore was born to parents John Hugh Moore and Elizabeth Mumford Moore in Mercer County, Pennsylvania in 1845. In 1876, Moore married Mavor "Mae" Hartshorn, daughter of early settlers of Traer, Iowa.

Ralph Hugh Moore's family lived in Traer, Iowa. They had six children: daughters Rae, Nadine, Marguerite, and Edna and sons Kenneth and Ralph Jr (who passed away at age two).

Originally from Pennsylvania, Moore moved west and worked a series of odd jobs such as a school teacher and lumber yard hand, until he received a job working with the Brooks-Carmichael Bank in Tama City, Iowa as a clerk in 1871. After Traer's founding, Moore was sent to run the new extension of the bank. Eventually, he became partner and the bank was named the Brooks & Moore Bank. After his partner, Mr. Brooks' death, Moore decided to incorporate and First National Bank succeeded Brooks & Moore.

Many of the Moore family members were interested in the arts. Mavor was a gifted poet and occasionally put her poems to music with her daughters. Edna Moore Watt, Ralph Moore's eldest daughter, wrote songs. Edna also travelled, and her father's obituary mentions that she passed away in China a few months prior to her father. Another of the Moore's daughters, Nadine Moore Goldsworthy, wrote poetry and short stories and her husband, W.A. Goldsworthy, also composed.

Ralph Hugh Moore died in 1913 in Traer.

This collection (1899-1973, n.d.) contains photographs, news clippings, correspondence, publications including short stories and poetry, and musical compositions written by Moore family members. The photographs in this collection include several of Ralph Hugh Moore at various ages, and photographs of each of his parents, John H. Moore and Elizabeth Mumford Moore. There is also a photograph of the Moore family, which includes four of Ralph's children: Nadine, Kenneth, Rae, Marguerite and her husband Roy, Mrs. Mavor Moore, an unknown gentleman and a "visitor" (Mrs. Volland). Additionally, there is a photograph of Ralph in front of the Brooks & Moore Bank and a photograph of the R. H. Moore Hose Team (the hose team competed in various firemen's competitions).

News clippings in this collection are broken into two categories: those dealing with the Brooks & Moore Bank and biographical pieces on the Moore family. The biographical pieces include obituaries and articles contributed by family friends.

The correspondence in this collection discusses various subjects and is written by different family members. About half of the correspondence is personal, and the other half deals with the bank. The earliest letter was handwritten on bank stationary in 1899. More recently written are some letters between a Mrs. Goldsworthy (Nadine Moore Goldsworthy) and the wife of Frank Pushetonequa, a Mesquakie painter. From the letters, we can see that Frank's grandfather knew Ralph Hugh Moore.

Also included in this collection are several publications. There is a book of short stories written by Nadine Moore Goldsworthy, a book of poems written by Mavor Moore which includes pasted additions and other editorial markings, and several musical compositions by the other children and Nadine's husband W.A. Goldsworthy.