BIO: Henry G. Moser, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

427  BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

  HON. HENRY G. MOSER (deceased), late member of the Legislature, and 
associate-judge of Cumberland County, and whose portrait appears in 
this volume, was born in Berks County, Penn., February 22, 1813.  His 
family was one of the oldest and most prominent in Berks County.  His 
father, Jacob Moser, born in that county, a farmer by occupation, 
married Miss Elizabeth Gresh, of Berks County, a daughter of George 
Gresh.  Jacob and Elizabeth (Gresh) Moser were of German descent, 
members of the Lutheran Church.  Their family consisted of four sons 
and seven daughters, Hon. Henry G. being the eldest.  Our subject 
worked at farming, attending school in the winter in Amity Township, 
Berks County, and it is said that his desire for knowledge was so great 
that he would carry a slate and pencil to the field, and there sit on 
his plow, while resting, and would figure out some difficult problems.  
In this manner he obtained his education, and at the age of seventeen 
or eighteen he began teaching school in Berks County, a profession he 
followed until 1835, when he became manager and clerk for the Glasgow 
Iron Works (consisting of forge, furnace, mill and farm, near 
Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Penn.,) continuing there until 1837, when he 
came to this county and took charge of the Iron Works, known as Liberty 
Forge, near Lisburn, and was one of those who purchased the works.  In 
1846 he became sole owner of this property.  In 1852 he sold a half 
interest to I. L. Boyer, his brother-in-law, and in 1852 sold out his 
interest to Mr. Boyer; but in 1858 he became a partner with him, 
continuing in that relationship until 1864, when he again sold out to 
Mr. Boyer, and retired from business.  In 1865 he removed to 
Mechanicsburg, where he died May 20, 1884.  In 1853 Mr. Moser was 
nominated and elected a Democratic representative to the Legislature by 
the people of Cumberland County; was also elected and served as 
associate judge of this county five years, and was the last associate 
judge of the county under the constitution of 1837.  He held various 
other offices of trust.  He was for a number of years a director of the 
Harrisburg Bridge Company; a director of the First National Bank of 
Mechanicsburg, the Gas & Water Company, and the Mechanicsburg & 
Dillsburg Railway Company; was also president and treasurer of the 
Allen and East Pennsborough Society for the Recovery of Stolen Horses 
and Mules, and the Detection of Thieves.  He was a recognized leader, 
and his judgment at all times was fair and impartial.  A man of great 
natural ability and force of character, he had the confidence and 
respect of all, and his opinion was greatly sought and much valued; he 
was practical, self-reliant, cautious and slow at arriving at 
conclusions, but prompt and energetic in the execution of his designs.  
Mr. Moser came to this county a young man with very limited means, but 
at his death was one of the wealthiest men in his county, having 
accumulated a fortune, not by speculation, but by careful business 
habits, wise investments and strict economy.  While he was an active 
and successful business man, he did not permit these relations to crowd 
out his duties as a citizen and a Christian.  He was warmly attached to 
the Lutheran Church, as were his ancestors, and to it he was a liberal 
and generous contributor both of his means and influence, as well as to 
such other religions and social movements as met with his approval.  
Our subject was married twice; first, November 6, 1838, to Miss Ester 
Ann Lorah, of Amity Township, Berks Co., Penn., a most estimable, 
Christian lady, to whom, as a helpmate, Mr. Moser attributed much of 
his success in life.  She died February 10, 1876, having had no 
children.  His second marriage was June 13, 1878, with Miss Margaret J. 
Urich, who was born in Upper Allen Township, this county, daughter of 
Jacob B. and Sarah (Ayers) Urich, old settlers of Cumberland County.  
Mr. and Mrs. Moser had two children:  Ruth, born October 13, 1879, and 
Margaret, born November 13, 1881.  They reside with their mother in 
Mechanicsburg.  Mrs. Moser is a member of the Presbyterian church of 
Dillsburg.