St. Louis County MN Archives Biographies.....Voss, Fred J. 1854 - March 15, 1921 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 November 5, 2020, 3:58 am Author: Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3 Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3 DEATH ENDS VOSS' 34-YEAR RECORD AS CITY OFFICIAL Career Closes on Heels of Demonstration of Confidence at Duluth Polls Fred J. Voss, commissioner of finance, and for more than 34 years head of the Duluth city treasury, died early yesterday morning at his home, 110 South Fourteenth avenue East, where he had been lying in a critical condition for six weeks. The immediate cause of his death was hardening of the arteries, although he had suffered with a complication of other diseases for more than two years. He was 64 years of age. On Jan. 15 Mr. Voss completed his thirty- fourth year of public service. In 1887 he was appointed clerk of the municipal court and in the ensuing year was elected city treasurer. He held both offices until 1899 when he discontinued his service as clerk of court and was re-elected treasurer. He was re-elected custodian of the city's funds continuously until 1913 when the city adopted the commission form of government. Mr. Voss entered the fist commissionship race, was nominated and elected. On April 4, when the first commission met, he was appointed commissioner of finance. He was re-elected in 1917. Vote of Confidence His second term of office would have expired on April 18 this year and although he had filed for re-election, due to ill health he was forced to withdraw on March 8. Regardless of this fact, Mr. Voss received a total of 1,251 complimentary votes at the primaries Saturday. Although a lifelong Democrat, Mr. Voss has had the support of all political bodies of the city for years. His record as treasurer and commissioner of finance ended unblemished. Due to his constant interest in his work and the welfare of the city, Duluth today is enjoying the lowest tax rate of any city of its size in the country. Mr. Voss was born in Germany, coming to the United States with his parents when still a boy. He lived at Kendallville, Ind. for a number of years, later moving to Michigan. He came to Duluth 36 years ago and with the exception of two years spent in the employ of a lumber firm, the entire length of his residence here has been in the employ of the city. City to Show Its Regard Mr. Voss is survived by a widow and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Arvid Ostergren of Superior; two brothers, William of Virginia and Charles, of Duluth. Mr. Voss was a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Moderen Woodmen lodges of Duluth, taking an active part in each. He served as the first treasurer of the lodge of Elks when it was founded more than 20 years ago. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon from the home. Interment will be at Forest Hill cemetery. The various lodges of which he was a member will attend in a body while in respect to his memory, offices in the city hall will be closed during the funeral. Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3 CIVIC COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO FRED J. VOSS Resolutions of sympathy to the late Fred J. Voss were adopted at a meeting of the civic council of Duluth in the Commercial club last night. The resolution follows: "Whereas, the death of Fred J. Voss, commissioner of finance of the city of Duluth, has brought to the entire city and to ever citizen a deep sense of loss, and "Whereas, his vigilant, capable and faithful service as chief of the city's finances for a period of 34 years has merited and won the highest regard and appreciation of the entire city, now therefore, "Be it resolved, that the civic council of Duluth, in meeting assembled, express its sympathy to his wife and family on account of their great loss and publicly acknowledge the high regard in which Mr. Voss was held by all and at the same time pay grateful tribute to his nobility of character and to his able and devoted service to the city. "Be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this meeting of the civic council and that a copy thereof be delivered to the wife and family of Mr. Voss." Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 12 Editorial FRED J. VOSS A flag at half mast on the city hall yesterday indicated to the citizens of Duluth the passing of Fred J. Voss. The city has lost a faithful servant, a wise booste, and a devoted friend. For over thirty years Mr. Voss has had charge of the financial affairs of Duluth and it is said by those who should know that there is no city of its siz where the tax rate is as low as here. Duluth's pecunlary honor was always a sacred trust with Mr. Voss and no man at the head of his own business labored harder or more earnestly than did he during the trying years of the war. A market was found for city bonds and methods devised to meet interest payments while Duluth taxes remained the same throughout that period of strain. Hard work and long hours had long been the habit of the finance commissioner but what effect the worry of this period had on the final breaking of his health no one may know. Duluth is the loser. By that half-masted flag every tax payer knew that not only was a good citizen gone, but an honest worker for every Duluthian's interest was lost to them. The Labor World Mar 19, 1921 pg 4 Fred J. Voss The passing away of Fred J. Voss, commissioner of finance, has cast a cloud of sorrow over the city. No man stood higher in city life. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of every person at all familiar with municipal affairs. He was honest, candid cautious and painstaking. Mr. Voss had charge of the city's finances for 34 years. He came into public life as Duluth emerged from a village to a city, when its credit was impaired and great difficulty was experienced in obtaining money to make public improvements. He at once labored to put the city on a sound financial basis. Bankers soon learned that he possessed the right kind of qualities to safely handle the city's financial affairs. They trusted him. His word was good. He carried the city successfully through the panic of 1893, and later assisted the charter on finances, the passage of which has kept the city on a cash basis ever since. As a result the city's credit has for many years been above the average of American cities. Our bonds have always sold at par and they never have never gone begging. Mr. Voss was careful and cautious in all city matters. He persisted in advising his colleagues against public extravagances and he many times fought single-handed and alone against what he regarded as a wasteful expenditure of city money. He was a real man, a good citizen and an honest and able public official. His departure is a great loss to the city. The Minneapolis Star Tues Mar 15, 1921 pg 1 Fred Voss, Duluth City Official Dies Duluth, Minn., March 15--(Special)-Fred J. Voss, 63 years old, city commissioner in charge of the finance department, died of heart trouble at his home here today. He had been in the employ of the city for 34 years. He was a candidate for re-election as commissioner, but was not re-nominated at Saturday's primary, having announced his withdrawal on the eve of the election. Additional Comments: The Labor World Sat Jan 30, 1897 pg 14 A FAITHFUL OFFICIAL Fred. J. Voss, Independant Candidate for City Treasurer There is no man in Duluth not stone blind from party bigotry that does not appreciate the fact that City Treasurer Fred J. Voss has come as near making a model official as any man that has ever served the city of Duluth in any capacity. He has been painstaking and efficient in all his labors, faithful to all interests entrusted to his keeping, and has brought to the service of the city an ability and mastery of the technical affairs of his office such as rarely is found in the service of the public. The absurd antics of Mr. Voss' political enemies and the mouth piece of the disappointed corporations, in their desperation at finding in his record no weak spot wherein calumnies can take hold, is pitiable in the extreme. Their ravings and misrepresentations would be the source of much righteous indignation on the part of all good citizens zealous of the public welfare, were it not that the frothings of the morning paper and every repetition of the circumstances connected with the official acts for which he is being maligned, is making votes for Mr. Voss. The taxpayers are not slow in discovering that here is a man that believes in taking the same care of the city's money that a good business man would take of his own; and in times like these such an official is a hero, worthy of the best that a grateful public can bestow. Another thing that is making votes for Mr. Voss is the moral certainty that these absurd and frothy denunciations coming from the News Tribune are inspired by the water company because of his opposition to buying their plant at what is universally conceded to have been a grossly extortionate price. Two years ago Mr. Voss went through just such a deluge of abuse and ridicule, the only difference being that a less artistic mudslinger is now in the employ of the morning paper, and in consequence more votes are now being lost for the regular republican candidates. But for Mr. Voss' watchfulness not only would the city be out much money but its credit would seriously suffer, if, indeed, its operations would not be brought to a standstill. And, in fact, is not that the very result devoutly wished for by the News Trbune and its Gas & Water Company backers? And now that the voters understand that not only has their money been carefully saved but also that Mr. Voss has faithfully guarded the financial standing of the city, there is little doubt that his strength has increased and that his election is assured by an over- whelming majority. Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990 Name: Oral Voss Event Type: Death Event Date: 12 Sep 1926 Event Place:Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota Gender:Female Age: 75 Birth Year (Estimated): 1851 Father's Name: Miller Spouse's Name:F. J. Voss Spouse's Gender: Male 1920 Duluth St Louis Minnesota Fred J Noss 63 Head Germany Germany Germany city commissioner Orin Noss 68 Wife OH Germany OH Martha Dewaird 51 Boarder Germany Germany Germany [Fred arrival 1864 naturalized 1870] 1920 Superior Ward 5 Douglas Wisconsin Kanute A Ostergren 37 Head Gertrude Ostergren 36 Wife Florence G Ostergren 12 Daughter Oral-Gene Ostergren 7 Daughter John A Ostergren 4 Son The Duluth Rip Saw Mar 24, 1917 pg 7 BATTLE OF BALLOTS A Candid Review of Candidates for Commissioner ..............(continued from page 1) Of course, Fred Voss fully expects to be re-elected. He has held office for 30 years. Until he became commissioner, he faced no executive responsibility and was a most popular man. Mr. Voss has changed in the past four years. He has become rather domineering. All of his colleagues privately say that he is rather difficult to work with and that he does things to put them in a hole. He is not to blame for his German blood. Mr. Voss never forgets that he is a Democrat. He is supposed to be in sympathy with the Weiss- Bennett-Farrell plan to put Little Tammany in control of the city hall. Months ago, it was common talk up and down the street that such an attempt would be made, and that E. R. Ribenack would be run to that end. Conditions today amply bear outthat report of months ago. To drag party politics into municipal affairs would be to return to the discreditable days of Mayor Ray T. Lewis. That part of the public fully informed on the matter, complains bitterly over the number of relatives that Mr. Voss has planted here and there in the municipal service. There also is sharp resentment against his persistent nagging of Commissioner Merritt. Mr. Voss has been a consistent friend of the booze business, but not a patron of the bar. No report has been heard that he suddenly has come over to the dry side. Mr. Voss is bout as smooth a politician as ever came down the pike. It must be admitted that he rather has the edge on a re-election, but he usually trembles through a hot campaign, and undoubtedly will not feel safe at this time. If the people vote for dry men for commissioners as heavily as they do for Magney for Mayor, Mr. Voss will be driven out of the trenches and defeated by the allies. Many men will vote against him this year for the first time in 30 long years. Duluth News-Tribune Tues Apr 15, 1919 pg 3 Who Are They Life Sketches of Commissioners Introducing Them at Beginning of New Official Term F. J. Voss FRED J. VOSS, commissioner of finance, was born on a farm in Ohio, and later moved to Detroit, from which city he came to Duluth in 1884. Most of his life has been given to the service of the city of Duluth. He was appointed treasurer when Duluth was only a village, on Jan. 15, 1887. He held jointly the position of clerk of municipal court. In March, 1889 Duluth was chartered as an incorporated city and Voss became city treasurer. He served in that capacity continuously until April 14, 1913, when he was elected commissioner of finance. He was re-elected in 1917, and yesterday was named president of the city council. Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 Name: Sophia Voss Stein [sister to Fred] Birth Date: 17 Jan 1855 Birth Place: Germany Death Date: 22 Apr 1916 Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois Burial Date: 25 Apr 1916 Death Age: 61 Occupation: Housewife Race: White Marital status: M Gender: Female Father Name: Henri Voss Father Birth Place: Germany Mother Birth Place: Germany FHL Film Number: 1852180 Cook County, Illinois, Deaths Index, 1878-1922 Name: Henry Voss [father to Fred] Birth Date: 12 Apr 1830 Birth Place: Germany Death Date: 13 Nov 1910 Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois Burial Date: 15 Nov 1910 Burial Place: Kendallville, Indiana Death Age: 80 Occupation: Retired Towerman Race: White Marital status: Widowed Gender: Male Street Address: 4316 Langley Ave Father Birth Place: Germany Mother Birth Place: Germany FHL Film Number: 1287591 1910 Chicago Ward 6 Cook Illinois 4316 Langley Ave. Charles Stein 58 Head Germany Germany Germany Sophia Stein 55 Wife Germany Germany Germany Carl H Stein 34 Son IN Germany Germany Henry Voss 80 Father-in-law Germany Germany Germany 1910 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota Fred J Voss 54 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer Ceral Voss 59 OH Germany PA Henry Voss 80 Germany Germany Germany father Ida M Scheytte 35 IL Germany Germany boarder 1905 Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 Fred J Vess 49 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer Oral Vess 54 Oh Germany PA Gertrude Vess 22 IN Germany OH Henry Voss 76 Germany Germany Germany Charles G. Voss 47 Germany Germany Germany Lena Voss 35 Germany Germany Germany Marshall J. Voss 12 MN German Germany Eseter M. Voss 8 MN German Germany Frederick J. Voss ? MN German Germany The Labor World Sep 2, 1905 pg 7 Mr. Fred J. Voss City Treasurer The oldest city official in Duluth in point of service is Mr. Fred J. Voss, the efficient and popular City Treasurer. His wise and careful administration and constant watchfulness of the city's interests have many times saved the credit of the city, and it is due largely to his conservative and business like methods that Duluth enjoys her high standing in the financial centers of the country. He exercises the utmost care and good judgment in the handling of the finances of the city, and his standing with the public is shown by the fact that he is elected unanimously at each election, and our citizens are always pleased to have an opportunity to pay this tribute to his ability, honesty and his unswerving loyalty to the public interest. Mr. Voss is a man of peculiar ability for the trying position of City Treasurer, and his long connection with the office has thoroughly familiarized him with every detail of the work, so that there is no friction, but everything in connection with the office is run in the smoothest possible manner, and any information required from his office is always at the disposal of the city officials or the public. Mr. Voss has many friends in our city, not only on account of the able manner in which he has conducted the city's business, but because of the unfailing courtesy with which all are treated who may have business with the office, or who may require information. He has never gained the idea that some public officials seem to acquire by long possession of an office that they are in some manner superior to the ones who have elected them, but on the contrary, Mr. Voss has always held himself ready to assist and aid any citizens having business with his office. Duluth has been fortunate of late years in her selection of public officials, and in this regard none have been more faithful and careful in their discharge of their duties, and none have given more than general satisfaction than has Mr. Voss, the City Treasurer. There is no reason why he should not be retained so long as he will consent to remain in the public service. 1900 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota Fred J Vess 45 Oct 1854 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer Oral Vess 49 Feb 1851 Oh Germany PA mother of 1, 1 living married 17 years Gertrude Vess 17 Apr 1883 IN Germany Germany ad daughter (adopted?} Carl H Stien 24 Sep 1875 IN Germany Germany nephew 1895 Minnesota State Census Duluth city, St. Louis, Minnesota Fredrick J Voss Male 40y Germany city treasurer Oral Voss Female 40y Ohio Gertrud Voss Female 12y Indiana Maggie Mcelroy Female 28y Canada servant Northern Tribune (Cheboygan, MI) Thur Apr 10, 1884 pg 8 The carpenters and masons employed on the reconstruction of Fred J. Voss's recent purchase at Dodge's Point have by telegraphic order from Wm. Voss, suspended work until his arrival which is expected in a few days. Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925 Name: Frederick J. Voss Event Type: Marriage Event Date: 27 Mar 1884 Event Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan Gender: Male Age: 28y Birthplace: Ulster Co., N. Y. Spouse's Name: Oral Miller Spouse's Gender: Female Spouse's Age: 33y Spouse's Birthplace: Medina Co., O. Northern Tribune (Cheboygan, MI) Thur Mar 27, 1884 pg 1 Fred J. Voss goes to Big Rapids, takes a bride, goes to Detroit, thence on a wedding tour to Dodge's point, where the honeymoon will be spent at the fashionable resort. Success now and forever. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 Name: Friederika Voss [Friederika Russ] Gender: Female Race: White Age: 76 Marital status: Married Birth Date: 7 Apr 1827 Birth Place: Trine Mecklenfing Schreding Death Date: 14 Mar 1904 Death Place: Kendallville, Noble, Indiana, USA Father: Jae Russ Mother: Cathren Russ Spouse: Voss U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Heinrich Voss Birth Date: 12 Apr 1830 Death Date: 13 Nov 1910 Cemetery: Lake View Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place: Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, US U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Name: Fredericka Voss Birth Date: 10 Apr 1828 Death Date: 14 Mar 1904 Cemetery: Lake View Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place: Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, US Duluth Weekly Tribune Fri Dec 31, 1886 pg 4 F. J. Voss has been petitioned to run for city treasurer. How can a man resist an appeal like that? When the office hunts a man down the man has nothing to do but tumble. But a petition and an election are different things. 1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana, Henry Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Fredrika Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Minnie Stine 2 IN granddaughter Mecklenburg Mecklenburg 1880 Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri Fred Voss 24 boarder Prussia Prussia Prussia clerk in store 1870 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana Henry Voss Male 42 Mecklenburg Fredricka Voss Female 40 Mecklenburg Sophiah Voss Female 15 Mecklenburg Fredrick Voss Male 14 Mecklenburg Charles Voss Male 11 Mecklenburg William Voss Male 9 Mecklenburg U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 Name: John Voss Gender: Male Unit: H. 2 Mo. L.A. Place Filed: Illinois, USA Relation to Head: Soldier Spouse: Friederick Ruesse widow Filed: April 14, 1890 Roll Number: 490 Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001 Name: Henry Voss Gender: Male Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage) Marriage Date: 27 Jun 1866 Marriage Place:Noble County, Indiana, United States Spouse: Fredericke Ruess [Reese] Page: 639 FHL Film Number: 001704899 ----------------------------------------------------------- adopted daughter Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2017 Name: Mrs Gertrude Voss Ostergren Record Type: Death Death Date: 10 Feb 1935 Death Place: Saint Louis Death Registration Date: 1935 Certificate Number: 026461 Record Number: 691288 1930 Duluth St Louis Minnesota Gertrude Ostergren 38 Head divorced IN Germany Germany Florence G Ostergren 21 Daughter MN WI IN Oral Jean Ostergren 17 Daughter MN WI IN John A Ostergren 14 Son MN WI IN 1920 Superior Ward 5 Douglas Wisconsin Kanute A Ostergren 37 Head WI Norway Michigan Commercial Traveler salesman Gertrude Ostergren 36 Wife IN US US Florence G Ostergren 12 Daughter MN WI IN Oral-Gene Ostergren 7 Daughter MN WI IN John A Ostergren 4 Son MN WI IN 1910 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota K A Ostegren Jr 27 WI Sweden England Piano salesman Gertie Ostegren 27 IL Germany Germany Florence G Ostegren 3 MN IL WI Minnesota, Marriages from the Minnesota Official Marriage System, 1850-2019 Name: Gertrude Voss Marriage Date: 1 Jan 1906 Marriage Place: St. Louis, Minnesota, USA Spouse: K A Jr Ostergren Certificate Number: T18-076 ---------------------------------------------------- Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990 Name: Fred J. Voss Event Type: Death Event Date: 15 Mar 1921 Event Place: Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota, US Gender: Male Age: 64 Birth Year (Estimated): 1857 Father's Name: Henry Voss 1905 Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 Fred J Vess 49 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer Oral Vess 54 Oh Germany PA Gertrude Vess 22 IN Germany OH Henry Voss 76 Germany Germany Germany Charles G. Voss 47 Germany Germany Germany Lena Voss 35 Germany Germany Germany Marshall J. Voss 12 MN German Germany Eseter M. Voss 8 MN German Germany Frederick J. Voss ? MN German Germany Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934 Name: Frederick James Charles Voss Birth Date: 22 Jan 1905 Birth Place: St. Louis, Minnesota, USA Father's Surname: Voss Mother's Maiden Name: Uphuff Certificate Number: 1905-42454 1900 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota William Voss 37 Oct 1862 Germany Germany Germany Nora Voss 31 Aug 1868 Ireland Ireland Ireland Fred Voss 9 Sep 1890 MN Germany Ireland Eduard Voss 2 Feb 1898 MN Germany Ireland [William immigrated 1866, Nora immigrated 1881] Duluth News-Tribune Wed Nov 4, 1896 pg 2 The death of Lesley Voss son of Mr. and Mrs. William Voss, is very much mourned among their Tower friends. He had not been in good health of late, and was taken away for a change of climate, but died shortly after his arrival there. The funeral was held at the Roman Catholic church. Rev. Father Bun officiating. 1895 Minnesota State Census Tower, St. Louis, MN William Voss 32 Germany Nora voss 27 Ireland Freddie Voss 4 MN Leslie Voss 2 MN male [George Leslie Voss 1893 - 1896] 1880 St. Louis, St. Louis, MO JOhn Hann 30 Germany Germany GErmany head Anna hann 44 Germany GErmany Germany mother Charles Voas 18 Germany Germany Germany boarder servant single 1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana Maggie Wadsworth 40 NY Hesse D Hesse D dressmaker Leona K Voss 17 IN OH NY daughter dressmaker married Frank Wadsworth 9 IN OH NY son 1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana, Henry Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Fredrika Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Minnie Stine 2 IN granddaughter Mecklenburg Mecklenburg 1880 Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri Fred Voss 24 boarder Prussia Prussia Prussia clerk in store 1870 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana Henry Voss Male 42 Mecklenburg Fredricka Voss Female 40 Mecklenburg Sophiah Voss Female 15 Mecklenburg Fredrick Voss Male 14 Mecklenburg Charles Voss Male 11 Mecklenburg William Voss Male 9 Mecklenburg [See Henry Voss obituary in Cook Co. IL or Noble Co. IN] submitted is not related and has no further information Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/stlouis/photos/bios/voss559gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/stlouis/bios/voss559gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 25.4 Kb