Charles L. DeMoss 1864-1932

DEMOSS, POWELL

Posted By: Suzanne Torkelson (email)
Date: 8/13/2003 at 23:32:21

Charles L. DeMoss, son of Thomas and Mary Powell DeMoss, was born in Pittsford township, Butler county, Ia, in 1864 and passed away at the Masonic sanitarium, Bettendorf; March 29, 1932, where he went some months ago to receive care. His father, Thomas DeMoss, settled in Bennezette township in June of 1857, and was one of its first settlers. Mary Powell was born in Indiana and came with her widowed mother, Elizabeth Powell, to reside in Pittsford township in 1856. The DeMoss family resided on their farm west of Bristow many years, moving to town about thirty years ago, after the death of the father. This place was their home until 1916. Mrs. DeMoss and son Addison passing away in March of that year. Charles disposed of his interests later in the year and removed to Dubuque, Iowa, later going to Davenport, where he spent his last years.
He leaves no closer relatives than a number of cousins to mourn his loss. He has been a member of the Church of Christ and the Masonic lodge at Bristow for many years, uniting with the church in January 1894, taking an active interest in both church and lodge. On going to Dubuque he transferred his lodge membership to that place.
Charles De Moss was widely and favorably known in this part of the county. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, dignified, courteous, obliging, and honest. He was a prominent figure in the early life of the county and always took an active part in the unbuilding and betterment of the community.
Funeral exercises were held on Friday at 2 o’clock from the Church of Christ and were in charge of Rev. W. N. Rousch, Cedar Heights, a former friend and neighbor, by special request of the deceased. Casket bearers were masons of Dubuque with W. A. McNeilus, F. L. Truax, C. T. Fahr, A. L. Surfus, C. S. Stewart and F.S. Kilson, honorary pall-bearers. Mrs. W. A. McNeilus and Mrs. K. ___ arranged the flowers. The interment service at Oak Hill was in charge of the Dubuque Masons, twenty ___ of them attending in a body.

Transcriber’s note: several sections of the original were missing, leaving the blanks indicated above.