Albert Ingham Moses
Albert Ingham Moses, president of the Board of Education of Troy Township, is a prominent citizen of this section and resides on a valuable farm of 35 acres, which is situated on the Pan-Handle Turnpike, where he has lived since 1873. Mr. Moseh was born in Delaware County, Ohio, August 8, 1839, and is a son of John, Jr., and Dorcas (Clemens) Moses.
Jacob Moses, the great-grandfather of Albert I., was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served five years as a ranger on the border and through him his descendants are eligible to membership in the various honorable organizations which have for their object the perpetuation of the fame of Revolutionary ancestors. The certificate of his service reads. as follows:
"Harrisburg, Pa.,
April 15, 1901.
To Whom it May Concern:
I hereby certify to the following Revolutionary service of Jacob Moses;
Jacob Moses was a private soldier in the War of the Revolution, a ranger on the Frontier, 1778-1783. For this reference see Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. 23, Page 293, 3d Series.
Very Truly Yours,
Geo. Edward Reed,
State Librarian and Ed. Penn. Archives.
John Moses, son of the above mentioned Jacob, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Accompanied by his son, John Moses, Jr., he came to Ohio in 1808, and settled in Perry County. In young manhood, the younger John Moses came to Delaware County and planted one crop, in Troy Township, residing during this period, with David Dix, who was an old settler. Later he accompanied his father and family to Marion County, where he resided for some years. Subsequently he returned to Delaware County and became a contractor and builder. He died aged 76 years. He married Dorcas Clemens and two of their children survive: Allien Ingham and John P., the latter of whom resides in Rush County, Indiana.
Albert Ingham Moses was mainly educated in what was known as the Central School, at Delaware, and he remained at home until he was about twenty years of age. In 1859, Mr. Moses went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he joined three acquaintances from Delaware County, and the four started for the regions of Colorado, with a wagon and ox-team. Alter 52 days of travel they reached their destination and subsequently prospected at Central City and worked in the mines in various sections, gaining a large amount of experience. Mr. Moses at length returned to the East, locating at Elkhart Grove, Logan County, Illinois, where he became manager for a party who was engaged in buying and shipping grain, and he remained there until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, on April 17, 1861.
Mr. Moses then became a private in Company E, Seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which subsequently became a part of the army under the direct command of Gen. U. S. Grant. Private Moses performed a soIdier's duty at various points in Illinois, during the term of his first enlistment, and after it had expired he re-enlisted, on August 9, 1861, entering Company K, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of the Army of Tennessee. He remained in the service until November 23, 1865, when ill health induced his resignation. At that time he was acting assistant quartermaster of brigade. During his long period of army life, Mr. Moses saw much hard service and participated in many of the most notable battles of the great war. He was in action at Belmont, Pittsburg Landing, Big Hatchee River, Port Henry, Siege of Vickshurg, Second battle of Jackson, Spanish Fort and Blakely, the taking of Mobile, and numerous minor engagements, skirmishes and weary marches. That he was a brave and capable soldier is proved by his numerous promotions. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing he received his commission as second lieutenant and later was commissioned first lieutenant, captain and major.
After this long absence, Mr. Moses returned to Delaware County, and for some years was obliged to nurse himself back to health, residing at Delaware. During a part of this time he served as clerk in the county recorder's office and in the office of the probate judge. He then engaged at work as a carpenter and builder and for a number of years after settling in Troy Township, gave attention to the growing of small fruits. For a considerable period he has lived retired from active effort.
Mr. Moses married Sarah Gross, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Gross, of Troy Township, who came to Ohio from Berks County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Moses have two sons: Walter H., residing at Carlisle, Warren County, Ohio; and Albert G., residing in Liberty Township, Delaware County.
For many years, Mr. Moses has been identified with school interests in Troy Township and is serving as president of the School Board, making a capable and useful officer. He belongs to George B. Torrence Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Delaware, and also the Union Veteran Legion, No. 7, at Delaware.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908