Orson J. Mosher (1859-1916) was born in Pecatonica, Illinois to Stephen Van Rensselaer and Ellen A. Miller Mosher. He later moved with his family to Waverly, Iowa in 1867. Orson married Katherine L. Vita (1863-1936) in Ramsey, Minnesota in 1880. They settled in Faribault, Minnesota where they had nine children, 6 boys and 3 girls. Arthur A. Mosher was the 8th child and the father of Jackson Allen Mosher.
Orson, who was probably named after one of father Stephen’s younger brothers Orson, used many names which show up on census records as well as city directories in Faribault and Waterloo. Various names are Charles J., C. J., Charlie, Arson and O. Jerry. The J may stand for Jerry, as one of father Stephen’s younger brothers was Jeremiah and often called Jerry.
Orson held many jobs while living in Faribault and Waterloo, again information comes from census records and city directories. In Faribault he was a clothing salesman, agricultural implement salesman, travel agent, and a clerk at 2 different general stores, Ochs Brothers and Charles Schuelin.
In 1907 he and Kate moved to Waterloo, Iowa, and lived at 200 Linden Street. The city directory in 1908 lists his business as CJ Mosher and JA Busch Meat Market at 1912 Lafayette St., in 1912 Mosher Brothers Grocery on Linden Avenue.
He died in Waterloo at the age of 56 of influenza on September 16, 1916 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa.
Kate was obviously busy having and raising children most of her life. The 1920 census shows her living in the home she owned at 200 Linden Avenue with son George, and wife Lovella, both 19, and daughter Katherine, 2 months old. She died in Waterloo at the age of 72 of acute cardiac failure from toxic thyroid on March 28, 1938, and was also buried in Fairview Cemetery.
The children of Orson & Kate are:
Charles Vincent, 1881-1966
Katherine “Katie” Ellen, 1883-1964
Frank Joseph, 1885-1918
Emil Bert, 1888-1929
Freddie J. 1890-1895
Theresa Agnes, 1892-1986
Dorothy “Dot” Isabela, 1894-1991
Arthur Albert, 1896-1976
George William, 1900-1982
