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From "Commemorative Biographical
Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties: Waupaca, Portage, Wood,
Marathon, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano" by Chicago:
J.H. Beers & Co. 1895. |
"J.
R. MOSES"
"In the busy community located
in the thriving village of Ogdensburg, Waupaca county, we find
several energetic and thorough-going business men, who have attained
success through their own tact, good judgment and perseverance.
Among this number is the gentleman whose name introduces this
biographical notice, and who at the present time is the representative
of the drug trade of that place. He is a native of New York State,
born in the town of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, February
4, 1847, and is a son of William and Betsy (Robinson) Moses.
The father, who was a native of Vermont,
was reared to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he followed
throughout life. His birth occurred August 10, 1777. He was three
times married, and became the father of a large family of children.
By the last union were born six children: J. R., subject of this
sketch; Lorenzo D., who for many years was a merchant of Ogdensburg,
Wis., and is now a prominent banker of Ripon, Wis.; Betsy (widow
of Spencer Hopkins), of Ogdensburg; two deceased in infancy;
and Hulda, who died at the age of eleven years. The father became
quite well-to-do, and at the time of his death, in 1853, he left
a comfortable competence. His remains now lie interred in St.
Lawrence county, New York.
The farm owned by the father went
to a son of a former marriage, so that the mother of our subject
was left in destitute circumstances with a family of little children
depending upon her for support. Later she married Lewis A. Waste,
who proved kind and fatherly to the children, and in 1855 the
familv left New York, coming to Wisconsin. For one year they
made their home in Fond du Lac, and then removed to the village
of Winooski, Sheboygan county. The spring of 1857, however, found
them residents of St. Lawrence township, Waupaca county, they
having come by boat through Lake Winnebago and up the Wolf river
to Northport, and the remainder of the distance by team. They
first stopped at Ogdensburg while the farm of 160 acres in Section
to was being prepared for their reception. A log house, 16 x
24 feet, was built about a mile and a half from the road, and
the land was covered with light timber. For about ten years Mr.
Waste continued the operation of that farm, when he removed to
Ogdensburg, and there lived retired until his death in 1885.
The mother of our subject survived
him until 1892, and they now sleep side by side in the cemetery
of Ogdensburg. Previous to the death of his child, Alma, Mr.
Waste was a devout Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and took an active interest in religious matters; but
after that sad event, thinking it the work of the Almighty, he
gave up his religion entirely. He had many friends in this community,
and by all was highly respected.
The education of J. R. Moses was
begun in the schools of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties, but
after reaching the age of ten years he was able to attend only
during the winter seasons until he was fourteen, when failing
health rendered his services of less avail to his parents, and
for the four following years he was able to give more time to
his studies, thus acquiring an excellent knowledge. Until nineteen
years of age he remained at home, when in June, 1865, he formed
a partnership with his brother in general merchandising at Ogdensburg,
which was his first experience in any business outside of farming.
Under the firm style of Moses Brothers they continued operations
for some time, when our subject returned to farming, and five
years later sold out his interest to his brother, and bought
the latter's interest in the farm which he had still retained
after returning to the store.
On July 31, 1876, he became sole
owner of the store, and he has since continued his connection
with it. In the spring of 1893, however, he sold out most of
the business,with the exception of the drugs, to his son;Charles
S., and Albert Axtell; but the following year he purchased the
latter's interest, and now the business is conducted under the
firm name of J. R. Moses & Son. Always attentive to the wants
of their customers, they have secured a liberal patronage, and
are at the head of a prosperous and lucrative business.
In Eureka, Winnebago Co., Wis., November
15, 1869, Mr. Moses was married to Miss Carrie C. Cleaves, a
native of Kane county, Ill., and a daughter of Christopher Cleaves.
Four children came to bless this union-three sons and a daughter-William
C., born September 3, 1870; Charles S., born April 12, 1872,
is a thorough young business man, mentioned above; Maud M., born
July 10 1874, and Louis A., born March 11, 1876, are with their
mother in Ogdensburg. On July 11, 1891, at Oshkosh, Wis., Mr.
Moses married Miss Mary A. Dunphy, and by this union there is
one child - Marie, born August 24, 1894.
The general store of Moses &
Son is one of the leading country stores of Waupaca county, well
kept and supplied with a large stock of merchandise. In addition
to his business Mr. Moses is also a registered chemist. He owns
large tracts of land in the county, and is one of the representative
citizens and leading men of the community. Honorable and fair
in all transactions, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his
patrons, and by his wide circle of friends and acquaintances
he is always spoken of in the highest terms.
Socially he belongs to the Masonic
fraternity, in which he takes a deep interest, and rules his
life in accordance with its excellent admonitions. Mr. Moses
has ever been a patriotic citizen, and during the Civil war manifested
his loyalty by his enlistment, May 19, 1864, in Company K, Fortieth
Wis. V. I. He was mustered into the United States service at
Madison, Wis., from which city the troops were sent to Memphis,
Tenn., where they remained performing guard duty, with an occasional
small skirmish arid trip southward guarding other troops. Soon
after his arrival in Memphis, Mr. Moses was detailed as hospital
nurse, which position he held until honorably discharged at Madison,
Wis., September 16, 1864." |
