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Joseph William Moses (1829–1896)

The improvement in the condition of Ald. Moses which we briefly chronicled in last issue, was of but short duration, for on Friday morning he took a change for the worse, and at 10 o'clock the same night the end came. During the past month the deceased complained of a slight cold, and last Saturday fortnight the complaint grew serious. However, he felt well enough to proceed to Ben Lomond on the following Monday, and the next day visited the mines at Mann River, but the day following he was brought to town, suffering from an attack of pneumonia, and had immediately to take to his bed. His condition was at once pronounced serious, but under kind and attentive treatment he was much brighter by Wednesday afternoon last, and throughout Thursday. On Friday morning, however, the left lung became affected, and then all hope for recovery had fled. At 11 o'clock Mr. Moses became unconscious, and from then the flickering lamp of life grew dim, until a quarter past 10 the same evening, when he passed very peacefully away in a quiet sleep in the presence of his wife and a few friends. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 66th year, has been long resident in New England, and was widely known and respected. He first came to Glen Innes in 1875, but after a residence of about 12 months he left for Tamworth, where he was better enabled to carry out the duties of his office, viz., manager for Cobb and Co's line of coaches. Some years later he successfully carried on the business of one of the principal hotels in Armidale for two years, and then returned to Glen Innes in April, 1884. Establishing himself as an auctioneer, etc., he had carried on that line of business until the time of his death with much success in Glen Innes. At one time, in conjunction with Mr. J. Mitchell, the deceased carried on one of the biggest auctioneering businesses in town, and two years ago, when Mr. McCormack relinquished the Tattersall's auction mart he took over those premises. Mr. Moses took a keen interest in the development of the mining resources of the district, and during the past 12 months has been engaged in opening up with Mr. Whyte, an extensive tin mine on the Mann river. He had always strongly identified himself as a prominent townsman, and for a number of years occupied a seat in the Municipal Council. In 1885 he was first elected as alderman to represent Central Ward, but at the next election in 1888, he was defeated. The following year, however, he again entered the Council as a representative of South Ward, and had continued to represent the ratepayers of that division until the time of his demise. In the years 1886 and 1887 he occupied the mayoral chair, and it was during his term of office that the town hall was commended, as the inscription over the clock denotes. Deceased occupied a seat on the Fire Brigades Board, and was a prominent member of the Church of England, having been repeatedly elected as churchwarden. In the Centennial year he was made a Justice of the Peace. As a businessman Mr. Moses was straight-forward and prompt, and had gained the confidence and esteem of those with whom he ever had transactions. Ever ready to hold out a friendly hand to the needy, and to assist any movement which tended to help his fellows, his kind spirit will be sadly missed by those whom he had befriended. Deceased was twice married, his last wife with two young daughters survive him to mourn the loss of an excellent husband and father. By the first wife there was an issue of three sons, two of whom are living, and the eldest arrived in Glen Innes yesterday. To the bereaved we tender our heartfelt sympathy.

The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, the procession being one of the largest that has ever been seen in Glen Innes, persons coming from all parts of the district to pay the last tribute to their late respected townsman. The mournful cortege was headed by the band who played the 'Dead March in Saul,' and the members of the Fire Brigade, and following the mourning coach came the members of the Council, and then some 56 vehicles and 70 horsemen. The chimes of the town hall clock were disconnected, and as the procession moved along the largest bell was solemnly tolled, The Rev. Canon King read the impressive burial service, and the funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. A. W. Lane, the coffin being of plain black with massive silver mountings, and was covered with several handsome wreaths.

Original publication

Additional Resources

  • death notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 September 1896, p 1

Citation details

'Moses, Joseph William (1829–1896)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/moses-joseph-william-25306/text33732, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

9 October, 1829
New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia

Death

25 September, 1896 (aged 66)
Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

pneumonia

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