Third Generation

13. Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER^25,26 was born on 29 Jan 1813 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina.^27,28

In Apr 1847 in Catawba County, North Carolina , a guardianship bond hearing was held in Catawba County Court.²⁹ "J. R. Moser filed his bond as Guardian of [his brother] Marcus M. Moser, orphan of Daniel Moser, dec'd, for $1,000 with G. J. Wilkie as Security."

He appeared in the census on 28 Oct 1850 in Catawba County, North Carolina as follows:³⁰
753/753 J. R. Moser, 36, M, Lutheran Min., /400, b. Catawba
Barbary J. R. Moser, 33, F, b. Catawba
Anna C. J. R. Moser, 10, F, b. Catawba
Salinda J. R. Moser, 9, F, b. Catawba
Abel J. F.J. R. Moser, 7, M, b. Catawba
Sarah R. J. R. Moser, 5, F, b. Catawba
Philo W. J. R. Moser, 2, M, b. Catawba
Solen J. R. Moser, 2m, M, b. Catawba
J. Starn[es], 22, M, Farmer, b. Catawba

A letter written by him dated on 19 Aug 1865 reads:³¹

19 August 1865      Fredericktown, Madison County, MO
Esteemed Brother in Christ,
You may think it rather strange after so long an intermission again to receive a letter from me. . .1 have been cut off from you in consequence of the war, mail communications having been so disorganized that it was often very difficult and uncertain to send or receive letters from St. Louis. Even now my most convenient office is Fredericktown, Madison County, MO which is 20 miles from my residence.
During this war I have been completely cut off from communication with my Ministerial Brethren of the Tennessee Synod; and almost from the rest of the world. And though I frequently wrote to several of the Ministerial Brethren of the Missouri Synod, I seldom received answers.
The Rebellion has almost entirely destroyed my former Pastoral Charge; and affairs here are in such a condition that I am at a loss what course to pursue in future; and it is chiefly in order to consult you, that I now address you.
Having steadfastly adhered to the Union, I have suffered greatly from the rebels during this war. Lost most of my personal property. The members of my congregation (which was weak at best) were much divided in regard to the war, and the rebel portion has left the church entirely. Others who were union, moved off, in order to save their property and even their lives; so that there are but very few persons left who care anything about the church.
Now my condition is such that I can so far as temporal affairs are conceived, by the help of a Kind Providence, live comfortable if I remain here. But if I leave, I see no prospect to provide for my family. A few of my former members also desire me to remain and continue to preach for them. Most of them could not leave their homes without great sacrifice and risk of failure to provide for their families in some other locality.
There is some slight prospect that if I remain and continue to preach for such as still desire it, that a congregation might again be built up hereafter. But here many difficulties presents itself. The new constitution of the state requires every minister of the gospel to take a certain oath of loyalty, or prohibits him under severe penalty from officiating after the fourth of next month, in case of refusal or right to take said oath.
Now here a serious difficulty presents itself, at least to my mind. Would it not be derogatory to the ministerial office for him to take said oath? . . .If so, is it not the duty of ministers to continue preaching and officiating, where ever called, regardless of the oath or its penalties? But if a congregation refuses to sustain other pastors under their circumstances; will he be at liberty to refuse serving them. That is, if the pastor is willing to expose himself to the penalties imposed by the constitution, and his congregation refuses to share the punishment inflicted upon him; would he be at liberty to refuse preaching for them.
I consider a congregation unworthy of the gospel, that refuses to participate in the burdens brought upon its pastor in consequence of serving them. I think it amounts to a refusal of the Gospel. Would this not be the case? And would such a congregation be a parallel to such as described. Matt. 10:11-15.
As Christ is the King of Kings, his authority is supreme. He says "Go and preach." He does not say "First ask the civil authorities, and comply with their conditions."
I do not here have referred to crime; nor do I wish to shield ministers from punishment by civil law for crime. The question seems to be whether preaching, without asking the civil authorities can be made a crime. By giving me your opinion on the above subjects; you will confer a great favor on your unworthy Brother,
[signed] J. R. Moser

He died on 10 Sep 1885 in Bollinger County, Missouri and buried there in the Kinder Cemetery.³²

Additional notes on Pastor Moser may be found in: Zion Lutheran's 80th Anniversary, Gravelton, Wayne County, Missouri and A History of It's Founding, Preservation, and Progress By Rev. Theo. C. Predoehl, published by the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly.

MOSER, JONATHAN R., born in Lincoln (now Catawba) Co. Parents: The Rev. Daniel and Mary Barbara (Moretz) Moser. Mother's father was the Rev. Christian Moretz. A younger brother was the Rev. Timothy Moser. Educated for the ministry, doubtless, under his father. Married Barbara Thomas, Sept. 7, 1848. Children: Anna Caroline, Selina Catherine, Abel John Franklin, Sarah Rebecca, Philo Washington. Licensed 1836 and ordained 1837 by Tenn. Synod. Churches served: In N. C: St. Peter, Rowan Co., 1836-37; Cobles, Guilford Co.-Melanchthon, Randolph Co.-Mt. Pleasant, Alamance Co., 1838-39; Friendship, Alexander Co., 1844-45; organized Mt. Pleasant, Watauga Co., first called Jackson Church after meeting place, Jackson School, 1845-46; Si:. Martin, Cabarrus Co.-St. Paul, Newton (Startown),. 1847-48. Moved in 1851 to Mo., and served Tenn. Synod churches until 1873, when was dismissed with the Rev. P. C. Henkel to unite with Mo. Synod; helped to organize the English Conf., of that Synod. Secretary, Tenn. Synod, five terms, 1836-48. In 1844, member of first common school board in Catawba Co., and along with brothers, the Rev. Timothy Moser and Marcus M. Moser, an early public school teacher in that county. Data as to his death and burial are not available [see bio data]. [LS]

Rev. Jonathan R. Moser left North Carolina in 1851 to follow the urgent calls from Missouri. He leased a farm he owned in North Carolina to his brother Marcus, the father of Philip, Edwin and Vera Moser, some of the eldest members of the church in Gravelton. [T4G]

Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER married (1) Barbara THOMAS were estimated 1839. Barbara THOMAS was born about 1817 and died about 1850. possibly during childbirth. Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER and Barbara THOMAS had the following children, all born in Catawba County, North Carolina.

Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER married (2) Hannah A. BOLLINGER were before 8 Oct 1851. Hannah A. BOLLINGER (daughter of Theobolt "DaVault" BOLLINGER and Catherine WHITENER) was born on 12 Oct 1812.^32,33 She died on 3 Oct 1851 in Bollinger County, Missouri and was buried there in the Kinder Cemetery.^32,33 Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER and Hannah A. BOLLINGER had the following child:

Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER married (3) Catherine S. WHITENER were after 1852.³⁵ Catherine S. WHITENER³⁶ (daughter of Solomon WHITENER and Elizabeth KINDER) was born between 1825 and 1826 in Missouri ³⁷ and died after 1870. Rev. Jonathan (John) Rhinehart MOSER and Catherine S. WHITENER had the following children: