DeMoss.Thomas.1876.Bracken.OBIT From Missouri Obituaries, Jan 1875-June 1877. Abstracts of Obits Published Weekly in the St. Louis Christian Advocate, Vol.III, compiled and published by Mrs. Howard Woodruff, CGRS 1985, page 74. DeMoss, Rev. Thomas, of the Missouri Conference, died in great peace at the residence of his daughter in Monroe City, 22 Nov.1876. His dying message to the breathren of the MO Conference was "Tell them to preach Jesus! Preach Jesus! Preach Jesus!" He spent 43 years in the service. He was born in Bracken Co, KY 5 May 1813; licensed to exhort in his 18th year; licensen to preach in 1833; joined the Ky Conf in 1836; removed to MO in 1855 and joined the MO Conference. He was ordained to deacon's and elder's orders. Rev. Thomas DeMoss born May 14th, 1813, died at Monroe City, MO, Nov. 23, 1876, in the 64th year of his life. His ancestors an old French family, sought refuge in this country, on the breaking out of the French Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century, and settled on the Ohio River in Campbell Co., KY. The father of this sketch, never identified himself with any religious order, but his mother, a native of KY, was converted in early life and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. She left the impress of her Christian character on her children, two of whom were Methodist preachers (his brother George Washington DeMoss). Educational facilities at that day in KY were meager, and young DeMoss acquired only such education as the country schools and a few terms at the Brooksville Academy, an educational enterprise maintained at the metropolis of his native country, could furnish. On this rudimental foundation, with an attentive mind and studious habits he was enable to keep abreast of the times in afterlife on general information. In his 17th year he was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and two years later was licensed to preach. At the annual session of the Ky Conference in 1834 he applied for admission and an examination was admitted and assigned work. He maintained that relation for 16 years, filling various stations and charges in connection therewith. At the annual session of the Conference in 1836 he was ordained a Deacon and subsequently received the order of the Elder, but by whom these orders were conferred this writer can not now recall. During the eventful session of the KY Conference in 1844 he aligned with the party of the South and assisted in adjusting the affairs of the Church to the new order of things, occasionally by the division of the Church. He was an able and zealous expounder of the doctrine of the Church. Many men and women were converted under his ministry, who subsequently became useful and influential members of the Methodist Church. In the autumn of 1855 he removed with his family to Missouri, with the intention of engaging in agricultural pursuits. Providence, however, ordained otherwise. At the session of the Missouri Conference, held at Hannibal in 1856, he again entered the itineracy adn continued to serve the Church in that capacity for 21 years. His first charge was at Hannibal and the last at Edina in Knox County. Early in his ministry he was married to Catherine Records, an amiable Christian woman, well-fitted by disposition and culture to become the companion and solace of an itinerant Methodist minister. She survived her husband many years and died at the home of her daughter, near Glasgow, in 1898, and was gathered to her fathers. (This memorial page has been furnished by Mr. J. M. DeMoss, son of the decease Contributed by Maria & Tim Troutman Date: Tue, 10 Apr 1997