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THOMAS L. MOSS. The life of our subject affords an illustration of the fact that he who is shrewd to discern opportunities and quick to grasp them will retain a high place in the regard of his fellow-men. A laborious, painstaking man, his was a life of diligence, honor and success, and when the sun of time sank below the horizon of eternity it was felt by all who knew him that a good man had gone to his final reward. He passed away March 15, 1890, on his farm in Shiloh Township. Our subject was a native of Jefferson County, and was born in Shiloh Township in 1824. He was the son of Ransom Moss, a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated when a young man to Tennessee, and in an early day in the history of this county removed here. The parental family included seven children, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth. His brothers and sisters are, Lucilius, residing in Ashley; James F., a farmer of Jersey County, this state; John R., who makes his home in Mt. Vernon; Nancy, Mrs. James C. Maxey, who makes her home in Mt. Vernon; Betty, Mrs. John Ellis, and Amanda, the wife of John R. Piercy. The two last-named are deceased. Mr. Moss was married in Jersey County to Miss Sarah Brock, and the young couple immediately located on the new farm, making their home in a log cabin in the woods, in which they resided until they were able to erect a more commodious dwelling. Mr. Moss was a remarkably strong man and a hard worker and by his correct mode of living gained for himself a popularity which he merited in every respect. A man of untiring energy, his success in life was proved by the fact that although he started without money or land, he accumulated one thousand acres, upon which he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and aided very materially in carrying on the good work of this vicinity. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Moss was born a family of seven children. Thaddeus C. is residing in this county; Mahala, Mrs. G. W. Smith, makes her home in Mt. Vernon; Rose, the wife of John L. Ferguson, is a resident of Shiloh Township; LaFayette B. makes his home on the old farm; Walter Douglas is living in Mt. Vernon Township; Mary E., Mrs. J. W. Maxey, is also living on the old homestead, and Elsie, Mrs. P. M. Johnson, is living in St. Elmo, this state. Although in early life a Democrat, Mr. Moss always voted the Republican ticket after the organization of that party. During the late war he secured the enlistment of and drilled a company, which was taken into the service by his brother, John R. Thaddeus C. Moss, the eldest son of our subject, was born in Shiloh Township in 1845, and there grew to manhood and was given a good education. In March, 1864, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company C, in the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, and with his regiment took part in Sherman's march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona, Marietta, Chattahoochie, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was confined for two months in Libby Prison, and after the establishment of peace, returned home and lived with his parents until 1867, when he was married to Miss Elmora, daughter of William Thomas. Their union has been blessed by the birth of the following-named nine children: Robert, Rado, Mollie, Maude, Gale, Roy, Blanch, Nettie and Bessie M. This son of our subject made his home in Shiloh Township until 1881, in which year he removed to Missouri, and here made his home, lie was engaged in farming in Cape Girardeau County until 1889, when he returned to this county and purchased a quarter-section of land, which he devotes to mixed agriculture. He keeps a fine grade of stock on his place, and is looked upon as one of the prominent farmers of Jefferson County. With his family he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are all foremost in good works and benevolent enterprises. Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Grand Army post of Mt. Vernon. The youngest son of our subject, W. D. Moss, was likewise born in this county in 1858, and grew to manhood on the old farm. He received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse, and remained under the parental roof until 1880, when he was married to Miss Ella, daughter of R. I. Coleman, a native of Gibson County, Ind. Their union has resulted in the birth of four children, Tony, Mamie, Moody and Walter. Douglas Moss is also engaged in agriculture, and for many years has given the greater part of his attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle and fine hogs. In the '60s, his father became the owner of the first pair of full blood Poland-China hogs ever brought into the county. In 1891 lie purchased the old Judge Tanner property, which consists of sixty-five acres of valuable land, and which is beautifully located near the city of Mt. Vernon. He has one of the most attractive homes in the vicinity, which is the abode of hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Moss are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political relations the former is a stanch Republican.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
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