CHARLES H. MOSS

CHARLES H. Moss, cashier of the Citizens' National Bank of Houghton, Houghton County, Michigan, was the principal organizer of that bank in 1901 and has since been one of the most prominent figures in the financial circles of the vicinity. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, May 1, 1868, and comes of a very prominent New England family, which was established in this country during the first half of the 17th century. The first of the family in this country was Hon. John Moss, who was born in England in 1619 and came to America in 1639. He lived in New Haven, Connecticut, from 1640 to 1670, then in Wallingford until 1708. From this early settler, our subject is descended through the following line: (2) John Moss, who married Maria Lothrop, was born October 12, 1650, and died March 31, 1717. (3) John Moss, who married Elizabeth Hall, was born March 10, 1682, and died May 14, 1755. (4) Joseph Moss, who married Lydia Jones, was born February 9, 1714, and died October 6, 1777. (5) Moses Moss, whose wife was Abial Hall, was born March 18, 1738, and died September 21, 1809. (6) Moses Moss, who married Ann Brooks Ives, was born April 5, 1763, and died January 16, 1839. (7) Amos Moss, whose wife was Sarah Pierpont, was born March 10, 1814, and her death resulted from an accident in 1840. (8) Frederick Amos, father of our subject, was born December 6, 1838. He married Alice Lucretia Higgins.

The coat of arms of the Moss Family is: Ermine (white) on a cross (Greek), sable (black), besant (gold). The crest is: Out of a coronet or a griffin's head ermine (white), charged on neck with a besant. The family seat in England is Mosse-Horton, Regis, County Bedford. Charles H. Moss is descended from William Brewster (see Scribner's History of the United States) on his mother's side, through the following line of ancestors: (1) William Brewster; (2) Jonathan Brewster; (3) Mary (Brewster) Turner; (4) Grace (Turner) Christopher; (5) Joanna (Christopher) Leffingwell; (6) Elisha Leffingwell, who served with credit during the Revolutionary War; (7) Lucy (Leffingwell) (Huntington) Abel; (8) Avalina S. (Abel) Gardner; (9) Matilda L. (Gardner) Higgins; (10) Alice Lucretia (Higgins) Moss, mother of our subject. Of this branch of the family many were prominent in the struggle of this country for independence. Simeon Abel, who was sergeant in Capt. Waterman's company, Caleb Gardner, Simeon Gardner, and David Gardner were all in the Revolutionary War. David Gardner served under General Putnam in the Third Connecticut Regiment, which was raised on the first call for troops by the Legislature at special session from April to May, 1775. It was recruited in Windham County with a company from London County, and in May marched to the camp near Boston. This regiment, upon the expiration of its term of service, December 10, 1775, was adopted as Continental. A detachment was engaged at Bunker Hill, and a few men joined the Quebec Expedition. The regiment was reorganized in 1776 with Benedict Arnold as colonel and John Durkie as captain, Joshua Huntington, 1st lieutenant. Lemuel Bingham, 2nd lieutenant, and Beriah Bell, ensign.

 Charles Hall Moss was educated in the schools of Waterbury, Connecticut, and in East Greenwich (Rhode Island) Academy. In 1884, when 16 years old, he began work as shipping clerk for C. J. Bates in Chester, Connecticut, then for two years he was in the employ of M. S. Brooks & Sons of the same place. Upon coming to Northern Michigan, Mr. Moss first served in the capacity of bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Bessemer, Gogebic County, for two years, then served seven years as teller of Ishpeming National Bank and one year as cashier of the same institution. The bank was sold to the Miners' National Bank, and Mr. Moss removed to Houghton to organize the Citizens' National Bank, which opened its doors for business in 1901. He has served as cashier since its organization, and to him is largely due the credit for the present prosperous condition of the bank.

On October 1, 1894, Mr. Moss was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Florence Chynoweth, who was educated in the common schools of Ontonagon County, Michigan, and at Oberlin College in Ohio. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Chynoweth, her father being a native of Philadelphia. Her grandfather, who came to this country from Cornwall, England, was killed by accident in the mines of Pennsylvania. For some years he was associated with Capt. John Chynoweth in mining at Greenland and Rockland, in Ontonagon County, Michigan. The mines opened by them were later closed for a period of 10 years. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Moss are parents of the following children: Harold Frederick, born August 9, 1895; Ruth, born August 31, 1899, died March 8, 1903; and Irving Brewster, born June 28, 1901. Fraternally, Mr. Moss is a Mason, being a Knight Templar and a member of Ahmed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Religiously, the family favors the Presbyterian Church.

Source: Biographical Record, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties.  Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903.