St. Louis County MN Archives Biographies.....Voss, Fred J. 1854 - March 15, 1921
************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 November 5, 2020, 3:58 am

Author: Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3

Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3
DEATH ENDS VOSS' 34-YEAR RECORD AS
CITY OFFICIAL
Career Closes on Heels of Demonstration
of Confidence at Duluth Polls
Fred J. Voss, commissioner of finance,
and for more than 34 years head of the
Duluth city treasury, died early yesterday
morning at his home, 110 South Fourteenth
avenue East, where he had been lying in a
critical condition for six weeks. The
immediate cause of his death was hardening
of the arteries, although he had suffered
with a complication of other diseases for
more than two years. He was 64 years of age.
On Jan. 15 Mr. Voss completed his thirty-
fourth year of public service. In 1887 he
was appointed clerk of the municipal court
and in the ensuing year was elected city
treasurer. He held both offices until 1899
when he discontinued his service as clerk
of court and was re-elected treasurer. He
was re-elected custodian of the city's funds
continuously until 1913 when the city adopted
the commission form of government. Mr. Voss
entered the fist commissionship race, was
nominated and elected. On April 4, when the
first commission met, he was appointed
commissioner of finance. He was re-elected
in 1917.
Vote of Confidence
His second term of office would have
expired on April 18 this year and although
he had filed for re-election, due to ill
health he was forced to withdraw on March 8.
Regardless of this fact, Mr. Voss received a
total of 1,251 complimentary votes at the
primaries Saturday.
Although a lifelong Democrat, Mr. Voss has
had the support of all political bodies of the
city for years. His record as treasurer and
commissioner of finance ended unblemished.
Due to his constant interest in his work and
the welfare of the city, Duluth today is
enjoying the lowest tax rate of any city of
its size in the country.
Mr. Voss was born in Germany, coming to
the United States with his parents when still
a boy. He lived at Kendallville, Ind. for a
number of years, later moving to Michigan. He
came to Duluth 36 years ago and with the
exception of two years spent in the employ of
a lumber firm, the entire length of his residence
here has been in the employ of the city.
City to Show Its Regard
Mr. Voss is survived by a widow and an
adopted daughter, Mrs. Arvid Ostergren of
Superior; two brothers, William of Virginia and
Charles, of Duluth.
Mr. Voss was a member of the Elks, Knights
of Pythias and Moderen Woodmen lodges of Duluth,
taking an active part in each. He served as the
first treasurer of the lodge of Elks when it
was founded more than 20 years ago.
Funeral services will be held Thursday
afternoon from the home. Interment will be at
Forest Hill cemetery. The various lodges of
which he was a member will attend in a body while
in respect to his memory, offices in the city hall
will be closed during the funeral.

Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 3
CIVIC COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO FRED J. VOSS
Resolutions of sympathy to the late
Fred J. Voss were adopted at a meeting of
the civic council of Duluth in the
Commercial club last night.
The resolution follows:
"Whereas, the death of Fred J. Voss,
commissioner of finance of the city of
Duluth, has brought to the entire city
and to ever citizen a deep sense of loss,
and
"Whereas, his vigilant, capable and
faithful service as chief of the city's
finances for a period of 34 years has
merited and won the highest regard and
appreciation of the entire city, now
therefore,
"Be it resolved, that the civic council
of Duluth, in meeting assembled, express
its sympathy to his wife and family on
account of their great loss and publicly
acknowledge the high regard in which Mr.
Voss was held by all and at the same time
pay grateful tribute to his nobility of
character and to his able and devoted
service to the city.
"Be it further resolved that this
resolution be spread upon the minutes
of this meeting of the civic council
and that a copy thereof be delivered
to the wife and family of Mr. Voss."

Duluth News Tribune Wed Mar 16, 1921 pg 12
Editorial
FRED J. VOSS
A flag at half mast on the city hall
yesterday indicated to the citizens of
Duluth the passing of Fred J. Voss. The
city has lost a faithful servant, a wise
booste, and a devoted friend. For over
thirty years Mr. Voss has had charge of
the financial affairs of Duluth and it
is said by those who should know that
there is no city of its siz where the
tax rate is as low as here. Duluth's
pecunlary honor was always a sacred trust
with Mr. Voss and no man at the head of
his own business labored harder or more
earnestly than did he during the trying
years of the war. A market was found for
city bonds and methods devised to meet
interest payments while Duluth taxes
remained the same throughout that period
of strain. Hard work and long hours had
long been the habit of the finance
commissioner but what effect the worry
of this period had on the final breaking
of his health no one may know. Duluth is
the loser. By that half-masted flag
every tax payer knew that not only was
a good citizen gone, but an honest
worker for every Duluthian's interest
was lost to them.

The Labor World Mar 19, 1921 pg 4
Fred J. Voss
The passing away of Fred J. Voss, commissioner
of finance, has cast a cloud of sorrow over the
city. No man stood higher in city life. He
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of every
person at all familiar with municipal affairs.
He was honest, candid cautious and painstaking.
Mr. Voss had charge of the city's finances
for 34 years. He came into public life as
Duluth emerged from a village to a city, when
its credit was impaired and great difficulty
was experienced in obtaining money to make
public improvements. He at once labored to
put the city on a sound financial basis. Bankers
soon learned that he possessed the right kind
of qualities to safely handle the city's
financial affairs. They trusted him. His word
was good. He carried the city successfully
through the panic of 1893, and later assisted
the charter on finances, the passage of which
has kept the city on a cash basis ever since.
As a result the city's credit has for many
years been above the average of American cities.
Our bonds have always sold at par and they
never have never gone begging.
Mr. Voss was careful and cautious in all
city matters. He persisted in advising his
colleagues against public extravagances and
he many times fought single-handed and alone
against what he regarded as a wasteful
expenditure of city money. He was a real man,
a good citizen and an honest and able public
official. His departure is a great loss to
the city.

The Minneapolis Star Tues Mar 15, 1921 pg 1
Fred Voss, Duluth City Official Dies
Duluth, Minn., March 15--(Special)-Fred
J. Voss, 63 years old, city commissioner in
charge of the finance department, died of
heart trouble at his home here today. He had
been in the employ of the city for 34 years.
He was a candidate for re-election as
commissioner, but was not re-nominated at
Saturday's primary, having announced his
withdrawal on the eve of the election.

Additional Comments:
The Labor World Sat Jan 30, 1897 pg 14
A FAITHFUL OFFICIAL
Fred. J. Voss, Independant Candidate
for City Treasurer
There is no man in Duluth not stone blind
from party bigotry that does not appreciate
the fact that City Treasurer Fred J. Voss has
come as near making a model official as any
man that has ever served the city of Duluth
in any capacity.
He has been painstaking and efficient in
all his labors, faithful to all interests
entrusted to his keeping, and has brought
to the service of the city an ability and
mastery of the technical affairs of his
office such as rarely is found in the service
of the public.
The absurd antics of Mr. Voss' political
enemies and the mouth piece of the disappointed
corporations, in their desperation at finding
in his record no weak spot wherein calumnies
can take hold, is pitiable in the extreme.
Their ravings and misrepresentations would be
the source of much righteous indignation on
the part of all good citizens zealous of the
public welfare, were it not that the frothings
of the morning paper and every repetition of
the circumstances connected with the official
acts for which he is being maligned, is making
votes for Mr. Voss.
The taxpayers are not slow in discovering
that here is a man that believes in taking
the same care of the city's money that a good
business man would take of his own; and in
times like these such an official is a hero,
worthy of the best that a grateful public can
bestow.
Another thing that is making votes for Mr.
Voss is the moral certainty that these absurd
and frothy denunciations coming from the News
Tribune are inspired by the water company
because of his opposition to buying their plant
at what is universally conceded to have been
a grossly extortionate price.
Two years ago Mr. Voss went through just
such a deluge of abuse and ridicule, the only
difference being that a less artistic mudslinger
is now in the employ of the morning paper, and
in consequence more votes are now being lost
for the regular republican candidates.
But for Mr. Voss' watchfulness not only
would the city be out much money but its credit
would seriously suffer, if, indeed, its operations
would not be brought to a standstill. And, in
fact, is not that the very result devoutly
wished for by the News Trbune and its Gas &
Water Company backers?
And now that the voters understand that
not only has their money been carefully saved
but also that Mr. Voss has faithfully guarded
the financial standing of the city, there is
little doubt that his strength has increased
and that his election is assured by an over-
whelming majority.

Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990
Name: Oral Voss
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 12 Sep 1926
Event Place:Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota
Gender:Female
Age: 75
Birth Year (Estimated): 1851
Father's Name: Miller
Spouse's Name:F. J. Voss
Spouse's Gender: Male

1920 Duluth St Louis Minnesota
Fred J Noss 63 Head Germany Germany Germany city commissioner
Orin Noss 68 Wife OH Germany OH
Martha Dewaird 51 Boarder Germany Germany Germany
[Fred arrival 1864 naturalized 1870]

1920 Superior Ward 5 Douglas Wisconsin
Kanute A Ostergren 37 Head
Gertrude Ostergren 36 Wife
Florence G Ostergren 12 Daughter
Oral-Gene Ostergren 7 Daughter
John A Ostergren 4 Son

The Duluth Rip Saw Mar 24, 1917 pg 7
BATTLE OF BALLOTS
A Candid Review of Candidates for Commissioner
..............(continued from page 1)
Of course, Fred Voss fully expects to be
re-elected. He has held office for 30 years.
Until he became commissioner, he faced no
executive responsibility and was a most
popular man.
Mr. Voss has changed in the past four years.
He has become rather domineering. All of his
colleagues privately say that he is rather
difficult to work with and that he does things
to put them in a hole. He is not to blame for
his German blood.
Mr. Voss never forgets that he is a Democrat.
He is supposed to be in sympathy with the Weiss-
Bennett-Farrell plan to put Little Tammany in
control of the city hall. Months ago, it was
common talk up and down the street that such
an attempt would be made, and that E. R.
Ribenack would be run to that end. Conditions
today amply bear outthat report of months ago.
To drag party politics into municipal
affairs would be to return to the discreditable
days of Mayor Ray T. Lewis.
That part of the public fully informed on
the matter, complains bitterly over the number
of relatives that Mr. Voss has planted here
and there in the municipal service. There also
is sharp resentment against his persistent
nagging of Commissioner Merritt.
Mr. Voss has been a consistent friend of
the booze business, but not a patron of the
bar. No report has been heard that he suddenly
has come over to the dry side.
Mr. Voss is bout as smooth a politician as
ever came down the pike. It must be admitted
that he rather has the edge on a re-election,
but he usually trembles through a hot campaign,
and undoubtedly will not feel safe at this
time. If the people vote for dry men for
commissioners as heavily as they do for Magney
for Mayor, Mr. Voss will be driven out of the
trenches and defeated by the allies. Many men
will vote against him this year for the first
time in 30 long years.

Duluth News-Tribune Tues Apr 15, 1919 pg 3
Who Are They Life Sketches of Commissioners
Introducing Them at Beginning of New Official
Term
F. J. Voss
FRED J. VOSS, commissioner of finance, was
born on a farm in Ohio, and later moved to
Detroit, from which city he came to Duluth
in 1884. Most of his life has been given to
the service of the city of Duluth. He was
appointed treasurer when Duluth was only a
village, on Jan. 15, 1887. He held jointly
the position of clerk of municipal court. In
March, 1889 Duluth was chartered as an
incorporated city and Voss became city
treasurer. He served in that capacity
continuously until April 14, 1913, when he
was elected commissioner of finance. He
was re-elected in 1917, and yesterday was
named president of the city council.

Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947
Name: Sophia Voss Stein [sister to Fred]
Birth Date: 17 Jan 1855
Birth Place: Germany
Death Date: 22 Apr 1916
Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Burial Date: 25 Apr 1916
Death Age: 61
Occupation: Housewife
Race: White
Marital status: M
Gender: Female
Father Name: Henri Voss
Father Birth Place: Germany
Mother Birth Place: Germany
FHL Film Number: 1852180

Cook County, Illinois, Deaths Index, 1878-1922
Name: Henry Voss [father to Fred]
Birth Date: 12 Apr 1830
Birth Place: Germany
Death Date: 13 Nov 1910
Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Burial Date: 15 Nov 1910
Burial Place: Kendallville, Indiana
Death Age: 80
Occupation: Retired Towerman
Race: White
Marital status: Widowed
Gender: Male
Street Address: 4316 Langley Ave
Father Birth Place: Germany
Mother Birth Place: Germany
FHL Film Number: 1287591

1910 Chicago Ward 6 Cook Illinois 4316 Langley Ave.
Charles Stein 58 Head Germany Germany Germany
Sophia Stein 55 Wife Germany Germany Germany
Carl H Stein 34 Son IN Germany Germany
Henry Voss 80 Father-in-law Germany Germany Germany

1910 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota
Fred J Voss 54 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer
Ceral Voss 59 OH Germany PA
Henry Voss 80 Germany Germany Germany father
Ida M Scheytte 35 IL Germany Germany boarder

1905 Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905
Fred J Vess 49 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer
Oral Vess 54 Oh Germany PA
Gertrude Vess 22 IN Germany OH
Henry Voss 76 Germany Germany Germany
Charles G. Voss 47 Germany Germany Germany
Lena Voss 35 Germany Germany Germany
Marshall J. Voss 12 MN German Germany
Eseter M. Voss 8 MN German Germany
Frederick J. Voss ? MN German Germany

The Labor World Sep 2, 1905 pg 7
Mr. Fred J. Voss
City Treasurer
The oldest city official in Duluth in
point of service is Mr. Fred J. Voss, the
efficient and popular City Treasurer. His
wise and careful administration and constant
watchfulness of the city's interests have
many times saved the credit of the city,
and it is due largely to his conservative
and business like methods that Duluth enjoys
her high standing in the financial centers
of the country. He exercises the utmost care
and good judgment in the handling of the
finances of the city, and his standing with
the public is shown by the fact that he is
elected unanimously at each election, and
our citizens are always pleased to have an
opportunity to pay this tribute to his
ability, honesty and his unswerving loyalty
to the public interest. Mr. Voss is a man of
peculiar ability for the trying position of
City Treasurer, and his long connection with
the office has thoroughly familiarized him
with every detail of the work, so that there
is no friction, but everything in connection
with the office is run in the smoothest
possible manner, and any information required
from his office is always at the disposal of
the city officials or the public. Mr. Voss
has many friends in our city, not only on
account of the able manner in which he has
conducted the city's business, but because
of the unfailing courtesy with which all are
treated who may have business with the office,
or who may require information. He has never
gained the idea that some public officials
seem to acquire by long possession of an office
that they are in some manner superior to the
ones who have elected them, but on the contrary,
Mr. Voss has always held himself ready to
assist and aid any citizens having business
with his office.
Duluth has been fortunate of late years in
her selection of public officials, and in this
regard none have been more faithful and careful
in their discharge of their duties, and none
have given more than general satisfaction than
has Mr. Voss, the City Treasurer. There is no
reason why he should not be retained so long
as he will consent to remain in the public
service.

1900 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota
Fred J Vess 45 Oct 1854 Germany Germany Germany city treasurer
Oral Vess 49 Feb 1851 Oh Germany PA mother of 1, 1 living married 17 years
Gertrude Vess 17 Apr 1883 IN Germany Germany ad daughter (adopted?}
Carl H Stien 24 Sep 1875 IN Germany Germany nephew

1895 Minnesota State Census Duluth city, St. Louis, Minnesota
Fredrick J Voss Male 40y Germany city treasurer
Oral Voss Female 40y Ohio
Gertrud Voss Female 12y Indiana
Maggie Mcelroy Female 28y Canada servant

Northern Tribune (Cheboygan, MI) Thur Apr 10, 1884 pg 8
The carpenters and masons employed
on the reconstruction of Fred J. Voss's
recent purchase at Dodge's Point have
by telegraphic order from Wm. Voss,
suspended work until his arrival which
is expected in a few days.

Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925
Name: Frederick J. Voss
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 27 Mar 1884
Event Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Gender: Male
Age: 28y
Birthplace: Ulster Co., N. Y.
Spouse's Name: Oral Miller
Spouse's Gender: Female
Spouse's Age: 33y
Spouse's Birthplace: Medina Co., O.

Northern Tribune (Cheboygan, MI) Thur Mar 27, 1884 pg 1
Fred J. Voss goes to Big Rapids, takes
a bride, goes to Detroit, thence on a
wedding tour to Dodge's point, where the
honeymoon will be spent at the fashionable
resort. Success now and forever.

Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: Friederika Voss [Friederika Russ]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 76
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 7 Apr 1827
Birth Place: Trine Mecklenfing Schreding
Death Date: 14 Mar 1904
Death Place: Kendallville, Noble, Indiana, USA
Father: Jae Russ
Mother: Cathren Russ
Spouse: Voss

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Name: Heinrich Voss
Birth Date: 12 Apr 1830
Death Date: 13 Nov 1910
Cemetery: Lake View Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place: Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, US

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Name: Fredericka Voss
Birth Date: 10 Apr 1828
Death Date: 14 Mar 1904
Cemetery: Lake View Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place: Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, US

Duluth Weekly Tribune Fri Dec 31, 1886 pg 4
F. J. Voss has been petitioned to run
for city treasurer. How can a man resist
an appeal like that? When the office hunts
a man down the man has nothing to do but
tumble. But a petition and an election
are different things.

1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana,
Henry Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg
Fredrika Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg
Minnie Stine 2 IN granddaughter Mecklenburg Mecklenburg

1880 Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri
Fred Voss 24 boarder Prussia Prussia Prussia clerk in store

1870 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana
Henry Voss Male 42 Mecklenburg
Fredricka Voss Female 40 Mecklenburg
Sophiah Voss Female 15 Mecklenburg
Fredrick Voss Male 14 Mecklenburg
Charles Voss Male 11 Mecklenburg
William Voss Male 9 Mecklenburg

U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
Name: John Voss
Gender: Male
Unit: H. 2 Mo. L.A.
Place Filed: Illinois, USA
Relation to Head: Soldier
Spouse: Friederick Ruesse widow
Filed: April 14, 1890
Roll Number: 490

Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001
Name: Henry Voss
Gender: Male
Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Marriage Date: 27 Jun 1866
Marriage Place:Noble County, Indiana, United States
Spouse: Fredericke Ruess [Reese]
Page: 639
FHL Film Number: 001704899

-----------------------------------------------------------
adopted daughter
Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2017
Name: Mrs Gertrude Voss Ostergren
Record Type: Death
Death Date: 10 Feb 1935
Death Place: Saint Louis
Death Registration Date: 1935
Certificate Number: 026461
Record Number: 691288

1930 Duluth St Louis Minnesota
Gertrude Ostergren 38 Head divorced IN Germany Germany
Florence G Ostergren 21 Daughter MN WI IN
Oral Jean Ostergren 17 Daughter MN WI IN
John A Ostergren 14 Son MN WI IN

1920 Superior Ward 5 Douglas Wisconsin
Kanute A Ostergren 37 Head WI Norway Michigan Commercial Traveler salesman
Gertrude Ostergren 36 Wife IN US US
Florence G Ostergren 12 Daughter MN WI IN
Oral-Gene Ostergren 7 Daughter MN WI IN
John A Ostergren 4 Son MN WI IN

1910 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota
K A Ostegren Jr 27 WI Sweden England Piano salesman
Gertie Ostegren 27 IL Germany Germany
Florence G Ostegren 3 MN IL WI

Minnesota, Marriages from the Minnesota Official Marriage System, 1850-2019
Name: Gertrude Voss
Marriage Date: 1 Jan 1906
Marriage Place: St. Louis, Minnesota, USA
Spouse: K A Jr Ostergren
Certificate Number: T18-076

----------------------------------------------------

Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990
Name: Fred J. Voss
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 15 Mar 1921
Event Place: Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota, US
Gender: Male
Age: 64
Birth Year (Estimated): 1857
Father's Name: Henry Voss

Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934
Name: Frederick James Charles Voss
Birth Date: 22 Jan 1905
Birth Place: St. Louis, Minnesota, USA
Father's Surname: Voss
Mother's Maiden Name: Uphuff
Certificate Number: 1905-42454

1900 Duluth Ward 1, Saint Louis, Minnesota
William Voss 37 Oct 1862 Germany Germany Germany
Nora Voss 31 Aug 1868 Ireland Ireland Ireland
Fred Voss 9 Sep 1890 MN Germany Ireland
Eduard Voss 2 Feb 1898 MN Germany Ireland
[William immigrated 1866, Nora immigrated 1881]

Duluth News-Tribune Wed Nov 4, 1896 pg 2
The death of Lesley Voss son of Mr.
and Mrs. William Voss, is very much
mourned among their Tower friends. He
had not been in good health of late,
and was taken away for a change of
climate, but died shortly after his
arrival there. The funeral was held
at the Roman Catholic church. Rev.
Father Bun officiating.

1895 Minnesota State Census Tower, St. Louis, MN
William Voss 32 Germany
Nora voss 27 Ireland
Freddie Voss 4 MN
Leslie Voss 2 MN male [George Leslie Voss 1893 - 1896]

1880 St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
JOhn Hann 30 Germany Germany GErmany head
Anna hann 44 Germany GErmany Germany mother
Charles Voas 18 Germany Germany Germany boarder servant single

1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana
Maggie Wadsworth 40 NY Hesse D Hesse D dressmaker
Leona K Voss 17 IN OH NY daughter dressmaker married
Frank Wadsworth 9 IN OH NY son

1880 Kendallville, Noble, Indiana,
Henry Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg
Fredrika Voss 52 Mecklenburg Mecklenburg Mecklenburg
Minnie Stine 2 IN granddaughter Mecklenburg Mecklenburg

1880 Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri
Fred Voss 24 boarder Prussia Prussia Prussia clerk in store

[See Henry Voss obituary in Cook Co. IL or Noble Co. IN]

submitted is not related and has no further information

Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/stlouis/photos/bios/voss559gbs.jpg

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/

File size: 25.4 Kb