Edward "Eldo" Moore came to Bloomington in 1910 to set up his own photography studio. He had received his initial training in Decatur and married Jessie Mae Hyde before coming to Bloomington. Jessie was his partner in the business and the mother of his son Edward. Jessie died when young Edward was only eleven in 1916.
Eldo served a three year apprenticeship in Springfield at the Johnson Studio, as was customary at that time. Before he had even finished his apprenticeship, he set up a shop in Mattoon, Illinois in 1907. By 1910, he had moved his business to Bloomington at 501 North Main Street where he made picture postcards for customers, three for 25 cents while the customers waited! In 1915 he entered into work for the W.B. Read company to take photos of babies when their parents purchased baby carriages. His business must have been a success because in March of 1915, Moore ordered a new Ford Touring car and was expecting delivery soon.
Moore was active with many charitable organizations in Bloomington, including the Passion Play, for which he was the secretary for many years. He was the official photographer for the Commandery for 17 years. Photography could be a dangerous occupation. On one occasion in 1925 Moore was photographing the Passion Play. He was standing above the stage on the arms of one of the seats taking photos with an open pan full of flash powder. When he slipped the powder spilled and exploded on his wrist, causing painful burns and scarring.
Moore was also the official photographer for the Pantagraph for 15 years and even after he ceased being the photographer, he developed and processed the photographs for the Pantagraph. In 1945 he ceased all work as a photographer and the shop only sold photographic equipment. Next door, he and Esta also owned a small gift shop called "The Little Gift Shop."
Eldo Moore spent the rest of his life in Bloomington, devoting his time to charitable organizations. He and his second wife, Esta Fauchts lived in the Lafayette Apartments where he died in 1962. His wife Esta survived along with his son Edward and daughter Lorraine (Mrs. William Schausten).