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Vinton Eagle; June 23, 1903
J. J. Mosnat Passes Away Friday Night
Jacob J. Mosnat
Death Comes to Prominent Attorney Suddenly
He had been to a family picnic that day
Was a Prominent Figure in Belle Plaine—Well Known in This City
Friends in Vinton were shocked Saturday morning to hear that Hon. J. J. Mosnat, of Belle Plaine, had died suddenly the night before.
Mr. Mosnat was well known here in Vinton owing to his connection with the bar and was held in highest respect by citizens and bar both.
The Belle Plaine Union gives the following particulars of his death:.
Few people could believe their ears when last evening about 8 o'clock the news spread around, Hon. J. J. Mosnat is dead. So familiar had he been on the street, and so many had seen him during the day that it could not be realized that such a sudden transition from life to death could come. A number had seen him no later than half past six, when he had waved them a cheery greeting and passed a pleasant word or two, when starting out on the little pleasure trip, to end in a few moments with his life.
A neighborhood picnic during the day drew Mr. and Mrs. Mosnat along with a few other families, to the banks of the river yesterday afternoon. Fishing was the main sport and when evening came the picknickers left for home, leaving some nets behind. After supper Mr. Mosnat and Jesse Traverse concluded to return for the nets, and started out together. According to Mr. Traverse, while the two men were together and no one else near, Mr. Mosnat attempted to pull on his boots. Being wet, one failed to go on easily. Mr Mosnat rested, apparently out of breath. He made a second effort, and seemed so affected that Mr. Traverse suggested that he sit down and rest. He sat upon a log, while Mr. Traverse went a short distance for a net. Returning he found Mr. Mosnat no better, and suggested that they hitch up at once and return home. Mr. Mosnat's reply was a negative shake of the head and the reply that he would soon be all right. He looked about as though for a place to lie down, and Mr. Traverse went behind him, the sick man reclining his head against Mr. Traverse. Suddenly the muscles tightened, Mr. Mosnat gasped, and in a moment had passed away.
No help was near and Mr. Traverse hitched up and started for town. Meeting a farmer he sent the man back to stay with Mr. Mosnat, while be drove to town. A party at once went down, and the body was brought to town and taken to his home.
The cause of death was undoubtedly apoplexy. Being of a sedentary nature, and of fleshy build, his friends were not surprised that Mr. Mosnat should be taken so suddenly although the shock was severe to many who felt in him a personal friend. Those who had seen him but an hour before were loth to believe the report which spread around.
Mr. Mosnat had been ailing slightly for some time, but apparently not seriously. His nephew, Chas. Dumke, had remarked before supper that he seemed short of breath.
Numerous friends were gathered at the home during the evening, waiting for the return of the party who went down to bring the body home, and extending aid and comfort they could to the bereaved wife during the time of suspense, and it was nearly eleven o'clock when the party arrived.
No arrangements for the funeral have been made. H. Roy Mosnat, his son. who is in Chicago, and other relatives were wired.
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Every Other Day Union; June 23, 1903
Loved and Honored
Jacob J. Mosnat
Hundreds Pay Tribute to Hon. J. J. Monsat
Funeral Yesterday
People of All Classes Grieve Because of the Loss of a Good Friend and Citizen
The funeral of Hon. J. J. Monsat was held at 2:30 yesterday afternoon from his late home. Surrounded by the flowers he loved so dearly, and just as his favorite roses were dropping their petals for this year, the last services for the man who was loved and respected by all who knew him were held. Rev. F. E. Drake conducted the service, speaking words of tribute to the departed one. A quartet composed of Mrs. S. Werthelm, Miss Nora Malcolm, E. M. Ewen and Alex Calvert sang two selections, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "Abide With Me." The pall bearers were from Mr. Mosnat's most intimate acquaintances and business associates, Messrs. G. C. Brewer, Thos. Lawrence, J. McMorris, E. Nichols, S. S. Sweet and S. Werthelm. The orders of which he was a member, the Odd Fellows, and O. S. P. S. attended in a body, and the members of the fire companies, of which Mr. Mosnat was one of the founders and of which he was a member for many years, were in uniform. Hundreds of his fellow citizens, and many people from the country, among them many of his own countrymen, to whom he was a warm friend, and who showed keen grief, gathered to do honor to Mr. Mosnat.. Many beautiful floral pieces were sent by friends and organizations, Mr. Mosnat's love for flowers being well known.
All the business houses closed during the time of the funeral out of respect for Mr. Mosnat, and all left their work to enter into the services in honor of his memory.
Jacob J. Mosnat was born in Bohemia Sept. 28, 1849. With his parents he came to America in 1853, the family settling in Weston Missouri, were they remained until 1862, removing then to Wisconsin. Mr. Mosnat came to Belle Plaine from Wisconsin in 1870, and took up the study of law in the office of Johnson & Tewksbury, afterward attending the law department of the Iowa State university at Iowa City, where he graduated in June, 1874. In October of the same year he took up the practice of law in Belle Plaine. Mr. Mosnat was married Nov. 10, 1875 to Julia E. Ricker of Manitowoc, Wis. Two children were born to this couple, one son, Jacob, having died a number of years ago, and the other, H. Roy, surviving.
Mr. Mosnat served as a member of the state senate in the sessions of 1890 and 1892. He was on the Belle Plaine school board for fifteen years, and served one year as city attorney. He was a member of the different branches of the Odd Fellows order and also of the O. S. P. S. He has been prominent as a member of the Benton County Bar association.
For nearly thirty years Mr. Monsat has been active in Belle Plaine life, a foremost citizen, leading in all good works and interested in everything which tended to upbuild the town he adopted as his home. No enterprise was started but he put his shoulder to the wheel. Although not affiliated with any church, every denomination can bear testimony to this generosity in contributing to their support.
No call for charitable purposed was ever made but he responded readily and most liberally. Thousands of acts of kindness to individuals are recorded of him, not in glaring letters, but in the hearts of those he helped, and while he chose to be very quiet and undemonstrative in whatever of this nature he did, it is only proper to chronicle these things in reviewing his life. Only those who knew him well can appreciate his true Christian spirit.
In business affairs Mr. Mosnat was peculiarly methodical and systematic, insisting that all things should be done in an orderly manner. For years he has been the advisor, legally and in affairs outside of the profession, of nearly all the Bohemian people in this section, and his excellent judgement gave confidence to all with whom he had dealings. His law practice has been large and he has been enabled to lay by a comfortable fortune, although he never allowed the gaining of wealth to come between him and a charitable opportunity.
A great lover of nature, Mr. Mosnat spent hours among his flowers and plants, which he tended with enthusiasm which was child like in its simplicity. He loved the flowers for the pleasure they could give to others.
In Mr. Mosnat's death Belle Plaine has lone of her best citizens and hundreds of people one of their best friends. His influence will remain as a monument to him.
Besides his immediate family Mr. Mosnat is survived by one brother and three sisters. They are Joseph Mosnat of Topeka, Kansas; Mrs. M. Kostomlatsky of Belle Plaine; Mrs. F. H. Horak of Iowa City; Mrs. Annie Foster of Des Moines. Of these all except the last, who is ill, attended the funeral. Among those from out of town who were here are Mrs. B. F. Shambaugh daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ???, Frank E. and H. Claude Horak, all of Iowa City; Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Rowell of Cedar Rapids; E. Kostomlatsky of Sioux CIty; Miss Zulema Kostomlatsky of Des Moines; Mr. J. F. Dumke of Manitowoc, Wis., sister of Mrs. Mosnat, and her children, Mrs. Julia Dumke Peet of Chicago, Miss Carolyn L. Dumke of Denver, Hobart R. Dumke of Manitowoc; Mrs. M. Harris, sister of Mrs. Mosnat, and daughter, Miss Julia A., of Manitowoc; Mrs. Augusta Hollander of Eagle Grove, sister of Mrs. Mosnat; an aunt, Mrs. Augusta Guenther of Fort Dodge; a number of members of the Benton County Bar association and other friends.
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