November 26, 2005

ELIJAH EMBREE HOSS
Statement

Transcribed by Robert Fillerup

Source: The following is transcribed, except for line breaks, exactly as it appeared in print in the Bulletin of the Watauga Association of Genealogists, Volume 16, No. 2, 1987, p. 120-21. The original document appears to have been in the possession of Irene E. Bachner at the time.

The following data is from the handwritten notes of Bishop Elijah Embree Hoss (Methodist Episcopal Church, South), with family notes by Irene E. Bachner, 7132 Dover Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76118.

I, Elijah Embree Hoss, was born on Apl. 14, 1839 four miles south of Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee, in the valley of the Big Cherokee Creek, which is an affluent of the Nollichucky river. My parents were Henry Hoss II, and Anna Maria Sevier Hoss, whom I have always regarded with respect and veneration. He was the youngest son of Isaac Hoss and Hannah Bayless Hoss; the grandson of Jacob Hoss and Mary Boone Hoss, and the great grandson of Michael Boone. On his mother's side he was the grandson of Samuel Bayless and Mary Nodding Bayless; the great grandson of Daniel Bayless and Joanna Lake Bayless; and also of Wm. and Mary Nodding; and the great-great-grandson of John and Priscilla Nodding. Though anything but an ostentatious man,, he was always glad that his ancestors on all these lines were respectable and intelligent people. All of them, moreover, as far as I know were landholders and slaveholders, although the most of them were inclined to be emancipationists. My father was named for Mr. Henry Hoss, First, a notable scholar and teacher in upper East Tennessee during the first part of the 19th Century. His own father, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was captured at Fort Niagra and carried down the ST. Lawrence river to Quebec as a prisoner, having died very early in life, he very early found it necessary to contribute to the support of the family by working on the farm, which his mother had inherited from his grandfather Bayless, and by teachiing a country school. When only sixteen years of age, he entered the employment of Mr. Elijah Embree, a prominent citizen of the county, who had extablished extensive iron works at Embreeville. At first he was a Book Keeper, but was gradually advanced to more important positions. Mr. Embree was known as an austere man, and many of my father's friends sought to dissuade him from accepting the offer, but he went and held on for twelve or fourteen years. He once told me that he never received a cross word during the whole time. I am sure that he never deserved one; that he did everything that was required of him, and then everything else that he could. Between him and Mr. Embree there sprang up the warmest possible friendship. Mrs. Embree also showed him many courtesies. She was a sister of Governor Austin King of Missouri, and a first cousin of my mother, and it was her influence that led to the acquaintenance and subsequent match which followed. Very early in life, my father became a Justice of the Peace and an influential member of the County Court. When he disconnected himself with Mr. Embree, he removed first to Chattanooga, and then to Jonesboro for the purpose of merchandising. Owing to an unfortunate partnership, his venture at the latter place was not successful.

Irene states: The above came from an old ledger that was in my parernal grandfather's library. Nothing else whatsoever is in the old book. The entries are in my grandfather's own handwriting. This can be proved by his signature on his old passport which I have.

These books were in my parents' home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After my mother's death in 1968 I brought them to Texas to my home.

Last summer (1986) at a convention, I met some lovely ladies who told us about WAGA. Mrs. R. R. Truitt and I sent our checks back with Jane Clark. We have thoroughly enjoyed the publications, and have happily made connections with other nice ladies and relatives in your area.

Family notes by Irene E. Bachner:

Anna Maria Sevier, mother of E. E. Hoss, was the daughter of John Sevier, Jr. et ux Sophia Garoutte. John Seveir, Jr. was the son of General (and Governor) John Sevier and his first wife, Sarah Hawkins.

Elijah Embree Hoss m Abbie Bell Clark 19 Nov. 1872 in Knoxville, TN. Abbie's parents were Edwin Reuben Clark and Mary Ann Sessler. Bishop and Mrs. Hoss had three children: Minnie Marielle Hoss, E. E. Hoss, Jr., and Henry Sessler Hoss, M.D.

Bishop Hoss died April 23, 1919 in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he was buried. His body was reinterred at Jonesborough, TN April 12, 1924 as was that of his wife.

Henry Sessler Hoss, M.D. b Feb. 8, 1882 at Emory and Henry College, VA. He m 24 Dec. 1915, Irene Ewing Morrow at Nashville, Tn. Dr. Hoss died in Muskogee, OK 29 Dec. 1921. Irene was the daughter of James Luttrell Morrow and Jane "Jennie" Ewing. She was b 19 May 1890, died 12 Oct. 1968 in Fort Worth, TX. Their daughter, Irene Ewing Hoss, b 19 June 1920, m 28 Sept. 1942, Thomas E. Bachner - 3 children and 4 grandchildren.