My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James T. Moss, another pioneer citizen of Jefferson County, Mo., was born in that county near Sulphur Springs in 1827. He is the son of Capt. Thomas and Eliza (Smirl) Moss. The father was born in Monroe County, Ill., in 1799, and while yet an infant was brought to what is now Jefferson County, by his father. William Moss, a Virginian who served in the Revolutionary War, and while yet a young man left his people in Virginia and sought the then Far West, locating in Illinois, where he was married. He was one of the first to settle within the limits of Jefferson County, which was yet French territory, and St. Louis a small trading post. He was a great hunter and spent the last years of his life in Jefferson County. Thomas Moss, the father of James T., spent his entire life in Jefferson County as a farmer, and died in 1874. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, and was then living near Galena, Ill. He was one of three who voted for Jackson, in Jefferson County, in 1828. Mrs. Moss was born in Indiana in 1812, but was brought by her father, James Smirl, to Jefferson County, in her infancy. She died in 1883 after a married life of fifty years. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church. James T. was reared in the wilderness of Jefferson County, with but meager educational advantages. He was married in 1852 to Miss Ella Jane Tevis, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of Silas and Rosa Tevis. The fruits of our subject’s marriage were five children, three now living: Thomas, Fannie, wife of Richard G. Hoeken, and Lizzie, wife of Samuel Burns, of Potosi. Mr. Moss settled near his birth place, in Rock Township, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Hillsboro. In 1876 he was elected county collector, was twice re-elected to the same position, serving with general satisfaction for six years. He had previously served for some years as deputy sheriff. As a farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Moss has been remarkably successful, having been one of the prominent farmers of the county. He is the eldest of nine sons and four daughters born to his parents, nine of whom are living, and all in Jefferson County. Mr. Moss is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Cass in 1848. He has frequently served as delegate to State conventions, etc. Their son, Thomas, now a teacher and farmer, served two years as collector, being appointed by the late Gov. Marmaduke in 1885. Mrs. Moss is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 224 biographies included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Jefferson County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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