MOE, Samuel Oscar 1857-1941

MOE, ANDERSON, ATHERTON, CLYDE, LANGE, THORSEN

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 8/10/2011 at 16:20:28

Last rites were conducted for Sam O. Moe, age 84, last Wednesday afternoon at the First Lutheran church with the Rev. O.A. Langehough in charge of the obsequies.

Death came to Mr. Moe last Saturday forenoon after an illness resulting from over-exertion on April 2.

Samuel Oscar Moe, son on Lars and Caroline Anderson Moe, was born on a farm near Dodgeville, Wisconsin, March 14, 1857. In 1868 the family moved to Dodgeville and the following year, 1869, they came to St. Ansgar, where he has made his home ever since.

The deceased was confirmed in the Lutheran church by Rev. Clausen on April 23, 1871. In later life he was for a time away from this church, but rejoined on September 8, 1929, since which time he has been a devoted member, always in the church services if at all possible.

During the year 1877 he attended Bayless Commercial College in Dubuque. In 1879 he went into partnership with his father in the grocery business and the firm was known as Lars Moe & Son. After his father retired a year or two later, he conducted the business alone until 1887 when he sold out to his brother Andrew.

For a number of years he was engaged in the handling of produce, part of the time for himself, other times for various firms.

On April 11, 1898, he became the first traveling salesman for the Hormel Packing Company of Austin, Minnesota. He continued in this position until March 14, 1927, his 70th birthday. He had always said that he would quit when he had filled his allotted time of three score years and ten, and leave the field open for younger men.

His relationship with the Hormel Company was a source of much pride and happiness to him, and he never wearied of talking of his experiences on the road. He loved people and enjoyed life in spite of his advanced years. His friends were legion.

In 1880 he was married to Cora Atherton. To this union four children were born: Clare of St. Ansgar, Linda of Minneapolis, Walter of St. Ansgar, and Ruth, now Mrs. A.W. Clyde, of State College, Penn.

When the children were young his wife died, leaving him to fill the place of both father and mother. How devotedly he gave himself to this task is acknowledged in loving gratitude by his children.

Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Besides his four children he is survived by three sisters; Annie C. Moe, Mrs. Julia Lange and Mrs. Amelia Thorsen, five grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

His familiar figure will be missed from Main street, for it was his custom to make trips down town twice daily and spend many enjoyable hours visiting with friends.

Pall bearers were: T.H. Hume, Charles Millington, Harold McKinley, Earl Hess, George Benson, Oscar A. Koch. Honorary pall bearers were: Ben F. Hormel, vice president of the Hormel Packing Plant; R.H. Daigneau also vice president of the Hormel Co.; Thomas H. Jaames, Clem D. Hunt and Paul C. Knopf, other officers of the company.

St. Ansgar Enterprise