Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 490.
 
GEORGE G. DeMOSS

     an eminent musician of national reputation, formerly a member of the "Lyric
Bards of America" and later of the "DeMoss Lyric Bards," was born at Cove, Union
county, Oregon, May 28, 1866. His parents were James M. and Elizabeth A.
(Bonebrake) DeMoss. His father, James M., was a missionary pioneer of Oregon,
coming here in 1862, accompanied by his wife, the mother of our subject.
     July 10, 1899, our subject was united in marriage to Aurelia Davis, a
native of Iowa, born April 15, 1879. The nuptial rites were solemnized at Omaha,
Nebraska. Her parents were Charles B. and Elizabeth (DeMoss) Davis, the father a
native of Virginia and the mother of Indiana. The father was a descendant of the
old southern Davis family, and he was a second cousin of Jefferson Davis. At one
period he was a preacher in the United Brethren denomination, and later in the
Presbyterian. He died at Salem, Oregon, November 30, 1902. The mother resides at
DeMoss Springs. To Mr. and Mrs. George G. DeMoss has been born one child, an
unnamed infant at the present writing.
     The townsite of De Moss Springs was laid out by James M., Henry S. and
George G. De Moss, as a prohibition town, in 1900. The family represented Oregon
at the Chicago Columbian Exposition's Congress of Musicians. The family composed
a musical work of great merit, "The Columbian Souvenir Songs," devoted to each
state. The sister of our subject, Lizzie DeMoss (Davis), began singing with the
company at the age of four years, and up to the present time has traveled every
season. She is an accomplished graduate of the Royal Academy, of London,
England, in violin and voice, and of the Cincinnati and Chicago Colleges of
Music. Her elementary instruction was received at the hands of her father, James
M. DeMoss.
     Our subject, having been well grounded in music, began teaching at the
precocious age of twelve years, composed and wrote music at the age of thirteen
and at fourteen was a professor at a normal musical institute, where he taught
thorough bass and harmony. This was at Des Moines, Iowa. At the age of sixteen
he occupied a chair of music at the Western College, and was then with the
"Lyric Bards of America" and the "DeMoss Lyric Bards" for thirty-two years
continuously. Our subject and his estimable wife have one child, Evelyn, born
August 21, 1902.
     The DeMoss Family was employed by the directors of the World's Fair to give
daily entertainments in Horticultural Hall, during each afternoon, for which
they composed songs, words and music on special occasions. From the fair
officials they received forty certificates of merit, and, many of their songs
have obtained worldwide popularity. During the six months of this grand
exposition the DeMoss family sang to several millions of people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.