MOE, Martin 1855-1937

MOE, WELCH, LANGE, THORSON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 8/26/2011 at 21:37:22

#1:

MOE, 82, DIES AT ST, ANSGAR

In Poor Health Following Injury;
Not Informed of Son's Death.

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA — Martin Moe, 82, pioneer businessman of St. Ansgar, died Tuesday morning. He had been in poor health since last fall, when he was injured in a fall. He had not been informed of the death of his brother, Andrew, two weeks ago, or the death of a son, Frank, a month ago.

Mr. Moe, who came to St. Ansgar at the age of 14, founded the St. Ansgar Enterprise in 1878 and edited it until 1892. He later entered the insurance and real estate business and for 25 years was president of the St. Ansgar Telephone company, having been one of the original stockholders. His fine collection of old coins was known by many hobbyists.

Surviving is one daughter, Mamie. His wife and son preceded him in death. Attorney, L. A. Moe of Mason City, is a nephew.

MASON CITY GLOBE-GAZETTE
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1937

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#2:

MARTIN MOE SUCCUMBS AT 81 YEARS; FUNERAL FRIDAY

FOUNDER OF ENTERPRISE SERVED THE CITY AS MAYOR FOR SEVEN TERMS

Death has claimed Martin Moe, 81 year old pioneer of this city and founder of the St. Ansgar Enterpise which he published successfully for 14 years. The end came at his home Tuesday morning, March 23 from bronchial pneumonia, although for 15 weeks preceeding his death, he had been confined to his bed by an illness due to injuries received from a fall December 18, from which he never recovered.

Martin Moe was born at Dodgeville, Wisconsin, June 4, 1855. At the age of 14 years he came with his parents, Lars and Caroline Moe, to St. Ansgar where he spent the remainder of his life. His passing removes from this community one of the few remaining pioneers who knew the city in the post Civil War days.

Mr. Moe was married to Ellen Lousie Welch, April 29, 1882. Three children were born to this union; Mable C., who died in infancy; Francis J., who died January 17, 1937, and Mamie, who has cared for her father since the death of her mother, November, 1924.

Besides his daughter he is survived by one brother and three sisters, Sam O. Moe, Annie Moe, Mrs. W.W. Lange and Mrs. Ole E. Thorson, all of whom live at St. Ansgar. Two brothers preceeded him in death, Lewis C. died in 1931, and Andrew passed away at Seattle, Washington, two weeks ago.

In 1878 Mr. Moe established the St. Ansgar Enterprise, gambling on the future of the city, after his predecessar failed financilly, and early made it an able exponent of the best interests of the community in which he placed his faith. In 1892 he sold the Enterprise to Miles K. Culver in order that he might devote all his time to his real estate and insurance business. He always took a vital and active interest in civic affairs and served the city of St. Ansgar as its mayor seven times, besides holding many other city offices. Much personal satisfaction came to him from his efforts in organizing the Saint Ansgar Telephone company in 1901, and which he served as resident for a period of twenty-five years.

In all his busines ventures he was successful, but his friends will remember him chiefly in the role of a newspaper man where he was at his best. He knew the newspaper game when it was comparatively in a primitive stage before the days of type-setting machinery, electric motors, and news-gathering facilities of the twentieth century. All of his news was hand composition and many long, weary hours were spent over the types cases "spotting" type by hand.

In politics he was a life-long Democrat and served as secretary of the Mitchell County Demoratic committee for five years. In his lifetime he voted for sixteen presidents from the time he became of voting age in 1876. He saw three of them elected to that high office. He had a keen, alert mind with a decided legal trend. Although his health was impaired following his fall in December, he was almost infalible in his recalling of dates and events up to the time of his death. He was a safe and willing counsellor in issues of practical law-a field which he had, in the vernacular of this day, "common horse sense." He was a man of high principles-a valued, honored and substantial citizen of his town and community. Much of the growth and development of both are closely tied up with his everyday activities throught his adult life.

He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church from which he will be buried Friday afternoon at 2:30 following a short service at the house at 2:15. Interment will be in the Woodlawn cemetery. Pallbearers will be his six nephews; Leon Thorson, Clifford Thorson, Lloyd Thorson, Donald Thorson, Annis Thorson and Hubert Thorson.

[ St. Ansgar Enterprise ]

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#3:

Photo of Martin Moe