| Source: Vertical Files, Herman Brown Free Library.
(Retyped for this page by Mary Nell Hodnett) |
From a pamphlet put out by the Office of the Grand Royal Arch chapter of Texas Masonic Lodge It becomes my sad duty to announce that the dread summons has come to our little circle of Past Grand Officers, and has been answered and obeyed by our beloved Companion.
Who exchanged this mortal for that immortal life in a few brief moments after a stroke of paralysis at Chadvon, Nebrsaka, [Nebraska] on May 21st, 1908. He was born in Pulaski, Georgia, in July 1823. His grandfather, John Moses, was a Virginian who removed to South Georgia about 1790. His father, Neal Moses, served for a short time in the war of 1812 in a command stationed at Savannah, Georgia. In 1836 Neal Moses died, leaving a wife and six children, of whom Norton was the oldest. He was brought up by a pious mother and educated to a limited extent in the common schools of the country. After age eighteen years he taught school and assisted his mother in the education of his brothers and sisters, at the same time pursuing his own syudies [studies]. In the winter of 1845-46, with two companions, he started for Texas and landed in Galvestion [Galveston] on January 1st, 1846. He taught school for a few years in Washington County, and visited Austin while the Legislature was in session which ratified the Articles of Annexation of Texas to the Union. In 1847 he returned to Georgia and married and with his wife returned to Texas and settled in Washington County, where he remained until 1863, when he removed to Burnet County, then on the frontier. In the old home on the Gabriel, ten miles from Burnet, the family of nine boys and three girls were raised and all but one of them are now living. He was a member of the Fifteenth Texas Legislature in the House in 1876. He was also a member of the Twenty-first Legislature. He was one of the most vigilant painstaking and hard working members of the House, distbarging [?discharging?] his duties with conscientious faithfulness and intelligence and it is not too much to say that he had as much influence with his Colleagues, and his opinions were held in as much respect by them, as any member of the House. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church for more than sixty years, and for seventeen years was Moderator of the Austin Baptist Association. His Masonic record is as follows: He was made a Master Mason in the old McLennan Lodge No. 159 in Washington, County in the latter fifties, and a Royal Arch Mason in the old Lampasas Chapter, now demissed, [demised] about 1869. He was made a Knight Templar in Colorado Commandery No. 1, and was a member of Ben Hur Temple at Austin. He served as Grand High priest of the Grand Royal Arsh Chapter of Texas in 1872-73, and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1877-78. He was a member of the Committee on Work of the Grand Chapter for about twenty-five years, and had probably travelrs [traveled] more miles, visited more Lodges and Chapters, and assisted in conferring the degrees upon more candidates than any other member of the Order in Texas. His pride was in the Chapter work, on which he was considered an authority. During the past forty-eight years he has been a regular attendant upon the Grand Bodies, missing but three meetings in all that period. Thus ends a busy and useful career. A life that was full of noble acts and generous deeds. A faithful friend and counselor, devoted to Masonry and its principles. One widely known as a teacher of the ritual. His inflexible integrity and honesty of purpose, combined with a kindly, genial disposition, endeared him to the hearts of all. His remains were brought back to Texas and laid at rest beside those of his wife in the family burying ground at Strickling on June 1st. The funeral services were conducted by Robert Lee Lodge, No. 431, assisted by masons from different parts of the State. In honor of our deceased Companion, let the symbols of mourning be displayed in all subordinate Chapters for the usual period, and this memorial be read at the first state convocation after it's receipt, and made a part of the record. Added by Tad Moses, a grandson, August 1, 1969... Only one member of the Norton Moses family is now alive. This is Martin W. Moses, 3301 Lafayette, Austin, Texas. He will be 98 years old October 6, 1969. Norton Moses married 5 times. The last names of his wives and the names of the children by each, follows:
Wife No. 4 is buried at Strickling. The first three are buried in Washington County, I think. Tad Moses |
