Biography of Joseph W. Moss - Craighead Co, AR

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Submitted by: Unknown < >
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 347

Joseph W. Moss, a leading farmer and stock dealer of Craighead
County, whose parents, Willis and Sarah (Mullinax) Moss, were both
natives of South Carolina, was born in that State August 25, 1829. His
father died in his native State, his mother in Tennessee. He was reared
on a farm, and had but limited educational advantages. When, in 1851, his
brother Barnett came on a prospecting tour to Arkansas, and located in
Poinsett (now Craighead) County, Joseph W. came with him, and for a while
made his brother's house his home. He at first bought fifty-two acres,
and has since added to it, until he now owns about 1,000 acres, mostly
woodland. He began $60 in debt, but by industry, economy and thrift, he
has cancelled this, indebtedness and accumulated a competency, which he
has from time to time invested in land and stock. He lost fifty fine
horses in the disastrous overflow of 1882. He was married, in 1853, to
Mary Simonds, a native of Illinois, and to this union was born one child,
Henry, married to Mattie Wilson. His first wife died, and Mr. Moss was
married again, in 1861, to Lousina Kelsoe, a native of Tennessee. This
union was blessed with nine children, all living: John R. (married to
Florence Stotts), Sarah (wife of Morgan Denham), Joseph L. (married to
Jane Patterson), Mary (wife of Theodore Johnson), Carroll, Barnett,
Hettie, Newton B. and Wallace. Mrs. Moss died in 1880, and Mr. Moss
married Mrs. Martha Patterson, a native of the county, and daughter of
Andrew Stotts (now deceased), an early settler of the county. Mr. Moss is
a Democrat in politics, has held various offices, and takes great
interest in educational matters.