Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 816
HERMAN A. MOSS

Among the really stable elements of American society, none are recognized as of more substantial worth to the communities, which they so ably serve, than those citizens of German birth of descent who have entered upon the duties which confronted them in this newer country with a degree of thoroughness and attention to the details of communal life which necessarily have been productive of results. It is so of all the relations of life. Thoroughness, painstaking care in whatever labor the hand finds to do, accompanied by a proper degree of ambition and a reasonable sense of thrift, certainly will bring the rewards which those who practice these basic virtues so well deserve.

In this connection, it is proper to state here that few among that large and influential population of German birth or descent in this part of Iowa are better known, or more universally popular, than the enterprising and progressive mayor of Persia, Harrison county, and a work of this character certainly would not be complete without a brief, though modest, review of the principal events in his life, setting out the chief steps which have brought him to his present deserved eminence.

Herman A. MOSS, mayor of Persia, Harrison county, Iowa, was born in far away Prussia on October 21, 1857, the son of John and Caroline (DUMMER) MOSS, six of whose children still are living. Mr. MOSS's father, John MOSS, was born in Prussia in 1831 and for some years, or during his life in Prussia, followed the life of a sailor. Tiring of the sea and, hearing much of the success which had attended the immigration of numerous of his Prussian neighbors to the great land on the western side of the Atlantic, John MOSS determined to come to America. Therefore, he broke up his home in Germany in 1874 and brought his family across the sea and came to Iowa. He first located in Iowa City, where, for a time, he was engaged in the service of a railway express company, later being made ticket agent for the same railway company at that point. Deciding that the greater freedom of the farm would be more to his taste and would afford better opportunities to his family, John MOSS came to Harrison county in 1882, where he bought a tract of land in Washington township for thirteen dollars an acre. Here he reared his family and remained until his death, which occurred in 1899. His widow, who was born in Prussia in 1841, is still living on the home farm in Washington township.

Herman MOSS, present mayor of Persia, came to America when he was fourteen years of age and worked by the month in Johnson county for six or seven years. He came to Harrison county in 1881, but before coming here, went to Cass county, Nebraska, where he rented a farm, which he occupied for two years. He returned to Harrison county, Iowa, in 1881 and bought a farm of eighty acres of raw land in Washington township, which he proceeded to break up, a year later, and bring to a state of cultivation. In creating his new home he hauled the lumber from the town of Shelby, Iowa, to enter into the construction of his house, the size of the latter being sixteen by twenty-four feet, one and one-half stories high. He set out trees in the further cultivation and beautification of his farm and made such other improvements as were immediately necessary. As the work of his hands began to bring its just reward, he began to add to his acreage and continued his improvements until he finally owned a farm of five hundred and forty acres, most of which is now under a high state of cultivation, and which he still owns.

Deciding to retire from the farm in 1910, Mr. MOSS moved, with his family, into the village of Persia, where he immediately entered into all the most active movements looking to the general welfare of the community. So favorably were these activities received by the people of Persia, and so well recognized did Mr. MOSS's ability and energy and enterprise become, that in 1911 he was elected to the office of mayor, which office he still holds.

During his incumbency of this important office, Mr. MOSS has been able to secure many notable improvements in the town of Persia, his administration not only reflecting much credit upon his own endeavors, but redounding greatly to the advantage of the village. During Mayor MOSS's administration, a comprehensive waterworks system and an efficient electric lighting plant have been installed in Persia and the extension of the sidewalks under the MOSS regime has also been greatly advantageous to the people of the village. From 1900 to 1914, Mr. MOSS was township clerk and now is president of the school board and secretary of the telephone company. In addition to his large farm holdings, Mr. MOSS is a stockholder in the Persia Savings Bank and has a valuable home lace in the town over which he presides so efficiently as chief executive.

Mayor MOSS was united in marriage with Mary A. HOLDERNESS in 1876, who was born in 1858, a native of New York state, the daughter of Robert and Mary (RAGG) Holderness, both of whom were natives of England and who came to this country in a sailing ship.

To the union of Herman A. and Mary A. (Holderness) MOSS seven children have been born, as follows: Mollie, wife of F. M. MCKEE, who resides in Woodbine, Iowa; George, who is postmaster at Persia, Iowa. He was graduated from the high school at Dennison, Iowa; Caroline, wife of C. E. HUNEWELL, residing in Persia; John A., who also lives in Persia; Etta, deceased; Dewey, at home with his parents, and one who died in infancy.

Mayor MOSS, and his family, are members of the German Lutheran church, in which all take an active interest; he is a Democrat, and is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, taking an earnest interest in the affairs of the lodge in the town of Persia.

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