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Lemuel O. Mosher 1847-1923

MOSHER, WHITE, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/7/2018 at 09:26:04

19 April 1923 - West Branch Times

Lemuel O. Mosher, son of Stephen and Ruth Smith Mosher was born in Morrow county, Ohio, April 28, 1847, and passed from this life at West Liberty, Iowa, April 10, 1923.

At the age of six years he came with his father's family to Muscatine county, Iowa. His boyhood days were spent working on the home farm and attending the public school. When not otherwise employed he spent much time roaming over the prairies and through the woods, studying the plant and animal life to be found there and laying the foundation for an interest in and love for the great out-of-doors, which continued with him throughout his life. He finished his schooling with eleven months attendance at public and private schools at West Branch, Iowa, under the instruction of Joel and Hannah Bean.

He was married to Lidorana D. White, September 29, 1870. For four years they lived on his father's farms in Muscatine and Cedar counties. Then they spent two years of pioneer life in Freemont county, Colorado, returning to the old homestead in 1877, where they remained until the fall of 1910, when they moved to West Liberty.

To Lemuel and Lidorana Mosher six children were born. Harold, Lawrence and Bethiah died in infancy. Arthur T. lived into a useful young manhood. Henry L. Mosher and wife and two children Lysle C. and Beulah of West Liberty and Martin L. Mosher and wife and five children, Arthur, Luther, Ruth, Vera and Robert of Eureka, Ill., survive, his wife having passed away during the Spring of 1918.

Lemuel O. Mosher and his wife were among the early members of the Methodist Protestant church of Downey, Iowa, where they continued to hold their membership throughout their lives. For many years he was superintendent of the Sunday school at the Linn Grove school. After moving to West Liberty and until the infirmaties of age prevented, as a member and teacher, he took an active part in the Men's Bible Class of the Methodist Episcopal church.

He was always active in public affairs, taking a keen interest in the churches, schools and any organized activities which were for the benefit of the community. For twenty years he was a member of the Linn Grove school board, serving as director, secretary and treasurer. He also served at different times as road commissioner, assessor and township trustee. He served his community well as a leader in the Grange, the Farmer's Club, the Farmers' Institute, the District Fair and various livestock associations.

He was the author of many articles and poems regarding farming, country life and nature study which were published in the local and county papers and some of which appeared in magazines of wider circulation. A very complete history of local pioneer days was prepared and published in book form under the title "Log Cabin History."

He was a great lover of children. After moving to West Liberty and until the home as broken up by the passing away of his life companion, their home was a favorite gathering place for children from blocks around. He never tired telling them of pioneer day and of the birds and trees and flowers. He was often called upon for talks in the schools regarding bird life and always took wonderful pleasure in responding to such requests.

For many years as he realized that his strength was weakening, it was his constant prayer that he might be spared to care for his wife, who was a semi-invalid, while she lived. It was natural that after she was gone, he did not continue as active as he had been.

Lemuel O. Mosher was one of God's noble men. Pure of heart and speech and act and simple in his tastes, he was a devoted husband, a loving father, a kindly neighbor, a useful citizen, an earnest Christian. Stern and unrelenting in doing that which he believed to be his duty, kind and affectionate in his home, loyal and helpful among his neighbors and friends, honorable and just in his business transactions, true to his convictions, he was indeed a Christian gentleman.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church, West Liberty, at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon in charge of Lloyd Tennant. Music by a select mixed quartet of the church choir, with Carl Peyton at the organ. Interment in Prairie Friends cemetery north of West Liberty.


 

Muscatine Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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