MOSS, William Charles 1835-1903

MOSS, DIXON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/18/2010 at 15:11:32

#1:

Death of an Old Resident

In the death of William Moss, which occurred Tuesday, October 13, our community loses one of its oldest members, and one who through all his life, has been identified in every way with its interest.

William Charles Moss was born June 17, 1835, and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. N. W. Moss. When six years old, his parents moved to Utica, thence to Waterville, N.Y. In 1854 they caught the Western spirit and came to Delhi, Delaware County, Iowa. Two years later, in 1855, they came to Mitchell County, settling on a farm in Jenkins Township at what is now known as Mossville, residing on this farm until 1873.

On December 24, 1861, he was married to Susan S. Dixon, and to them were born four sons, Lee J., and William C. of Superior, Wisconsin, Louis N. of Decorah, Iowa, and Fred H. of this city.

In early life he was a bookkeeper in Vicksburg, Mississippi, going from there to California. During the days of gold excitement he made two trips to that state. While there he spent part of the time in the service of the government, having charge of wagon trains. He was shot by an Indian, the wound giving him some inconvenience at various times during life since.

During the land sales in 1856, he was employed in the Decorah office, and when the land office was moved to Osage under Receiver A. K. Eaton and Register Jenkins, he also found employment.

In 1873 he was appointed deputy county treasurer and came to Osage to reside, where he lived continuously up to the time of his death. Politically a life-long Democrat, he was elected county treasurer, serving as deputy clerk of the courts, filling various other public positions with fidelity to himself and the people.

For many years he was engaged in the real estate business.

He was stricken with paralysis on December 25, 1902. He was stricken several times since the first one, the last of October 11th lingering until the thirteenth, when he fell asleep.

In the early life he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, afterwards a Knight Templar, also a member of the Legion of Honor, Workman and other beneficiary societies. The deceased left a small estate and several thousand dollars of life insurance. He left a will under which his wife, Susan S. Moss and his sons, Lee J. and Fred H. are named as executors.

Mr. Moss was interested in all the problems of good citizenship. His life and character was an obstinate devotion to opinion and principle, which trait early developed in his character and became the mainspring of action with him. He was a good scholar, keen observer of men and events and readily acquired a large fund of information. He was charitable and kind in disposition. The cry of distress fell upon no unheeding ear. He lived a good life, above the sordid and selfish interests that animate so many. He followed the promptings of a heart that felt for all humanity, and in his death, he leaves a memory that will always be cherished in fond remembrance.

Such a man needs no eulogies in death. Those who knew him recall only pleasant things in connection with his life. He was broad minded and liberal in every way. Those who knew him longest and were permitted to share his friendship in a confidential way, know that he never had an unworthy aspiration, and never wronged a fellow man in the slightest degree. The strongest element in his character was his devotion to what he believed to be right, and his scrupulous regard for personal honor and integrity.

While human hears continue to throb in anguish, other hearts will respond with that divine sympathy with makes of humanity one great family; and so our community tenders the bereaved ones heartfelt sympathy in this hour of supreme sorrow.

[Mitchell County Press, Wednesday, October 21, 1903]
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#2:

The Osage Cemetery listing on IaGenWeb/mitchell shows:

MOSS, WILLIAM C. (bur. loc.) 0322 12 (death/burial date) 18 OCT 1903
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#3:

News reaches us of the death of Wm. Moss, at Osage, Tuesday morning. His con­dition has been very serious for some time, he having had several paralytic strokes. “Uncle Billy” Moss was as well known, perhaps, as any man in Mitchell county, and the old settlers will all regret to hear of his death. — Riceville Recorder.

SOURCE: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Oct. 20, 1903, FP, C4

CREDIT: Joy Moore, 9/2018