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. |