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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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John
Moss The
foundation principles of all American institutions are English, and no
nationality of people who have come to this country have so affected the
destinies of the Country, as have the English. The majority of the earliest
settlers were English and they gave the type to our institutions. But in later
days immigration from England has greatly lessened, in comparison with that from
the continental countries, so that it is the exception to find in this country
those of English birth, thus directly coming from that little island whose
people rule over the largest empire which the world has known, whose language is
spoken by far more persons than any other European language, and whose sons and
daughters, wherever found, typify the elements which have made their country so
great. John
Moss was born in Worsall, Staffordshire, England, on March 15, 1832, and
received his early education in the Blue School, from which he graduated with
high honors, manifesting in his boyhood the intellectual ability and the
perseverance which were characteristic of his life. In England he became a
grainer and decorator, and followed that occupation until 1869, when he came
with his wife and family to Jasper County, Iowa, and there resided until his
death, on December 8, 1885. More
than thirty years ago he established the first floristry in Newton, and this
plant is still in operation by his widow and children as the only one in Newton
today. The business, which was quite profitable in the lifetime of Mr. Moss, has
greatly increased, and the up-to-date establishment is very attractive. John
Moss was a stanch Republican and always stood up for the principles of that
party, in which he was an active worker. In
religion he was a member of the Episcopal Church and took a prominent and
leading part in the church work at Newton, for as a true Christian he believed
that his efforts could be nowhere better spent. He was a man of strong and
vigorous character, of influence in the affairs of his community, greatly
devoted to his wife and family, to whom he was ever a kind and loving husband
and father. Mr. Moss was one of the solid and substantial citizens of Newton, of
whom his adopted country might be as proud as he was of her, and he filled a
unique place in the city of Newton, which no other man could enter into. Mr.
Moss was married on August l, 1864, to Eliza Hanson, the daughter of Thomas and
Jane Hanson, born in Birmingham, England, on August 14, 1844.
Five years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moss came to America and located
at Newton, Iowa. To their union
fourteen children were born, of whom but four are living: Arthur A. Moss, born
July 13, 1865, in North Wales, Great Britain, lives in Ottumwa, Iowa; Charles A.
Moss, of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Anna E. and Sidney H. Moss, living in
Newton with their mother and managing the floristry. After
the death of Mr. Moss his widow was married to James Lister. James Lister was
born on February 9, 1830, in Yorkshire, England. He began his business career in
Bradford, England, where he remained for seven years, and is supposed to have
been the first butcher in that city. In
1856 he came to Newton, Iowa, and engaged with Murhorn & Brothers, millers,
for some time. Later he farmed in Jasper County, Iowa, and at the time of his
death was the owner of a considerable amount of property in Newton.
On July 13, 1902, he passed away, and his remains were interred in Newton
Cemetery. In politics Mr. Lister
was a Republican and his religious affiliations were with the Mormon Church.
He was a man well known in Newton, a good, conservative businessman, with
many friends, and who possessed the esteem and respect of all who knew him, and
had the highest reputation for integrity and uprightness.
He was in many affairs a leader of his neighbors. James
Lister was first married in Bradford, England, to Mrs. Ann Foster, the daughter
of George Ingle, who was born on July 3, 1825, in Yorkshire, England. She was
the mother of one child by her previous marriage, Diniah, now Mrs. Needham.
Mrs. Ann Lister died in Jasper County in 1890, and on April 25, 1895, Mr.
Lister was married to Mrs. John Moss, of Newton, and after this marriage he
lived in Newton until his death. Mrs.
James Lister is an accomplished lady of refinement, who herself attends to much
of her business affairs, and takes her full share in the social, church and
philanthropic activities of Newton, and is always ready to aid any deserving
person who is in need. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 500. |
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