Christian "Chris" Joss

Chris Joss, Resident Here 57 Years Dies Saturday

Death claimed Christian Joss, pioneer resident of Niobrara County, about midnight, Saturday October 4th, at the Spencer Hospital, where he had been confined for the past three weeks. Mr. Joss had been in failing health for several years.

Coming to Lusk and vicinity in 1891, at the age of 14 years, he has played a prominent part in the affairs of this section for 55 years.

He served four terms as Sheriff of Niobrara County and had been engaged in business in Lusk at various times during his life, as well as ranching.

Christian Joss was born at Fremont, Neb. December 19, 1876, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Joss. His parents died when he was 12 years of age, and two years later he came to Wyoming, where his older brother, Sam Joss, had previously come. Although only a small boy, he was ambitious and industrious and soon obtained employment with Eugene B. and George Willson on the Running Water ranch, and managed to go to school when the opportunity afforded. He followed ranching as a young man, but in 1902 came to Lusk and bought the Northwestern Hotel, which he operated for some time.

He was married to Kathryn Violet Beckwith in 1903 and they are the parents of one son, Lyle, who died in 1917.

Mr. and Mrs. Joss engaged in forded.(Note: as printed in obituary). He followed ranching 25 Miles northwest of Lusk for a number of years, and then they moved to Lusk and Mr. Joss entered the employee of the H.C. Snyder Company store. During the homestead land boom a branch store was started at Node with Mr. Joss as manager.

In 1918 Chris Joss ran for sheriff of Niobrara County on the Republican ticket. His popularity and efficiency in office was attested by the fact that he was elected four times to that office, the term of office at that time being two years.

In 1927 Mr. Joss went into the sheep business in the Dogie community, but they maintained their home in Lusk and after a few years Mr. Joss organized the independent refinery which he built into a thriving business. He sold it to Jennings Ruffing and Wm. Hitz a couple of years ago and retired because of continued ill health.

Funeral services are being conducted by Harmony Masonic Lodge of Lusk, of which Mr. Joss was an old time member, at the family home this (Wednesday) afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, and a sunset committal service will also be held by the Masons at Lusk Cemetery.

Beside his wife, Violet, he is survived by two brothers, John of Utah and Sam Joss of Lusk; two nephews, Arthur Joss of Douglas and George Joss of Lusk, and a great-nephew, Sam Kirk of Lusk; two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Cooley of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Matilda Schultz of Norfork, Neb.

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The Converse County Herald, April 28, 1904

When Chris Joss took the train one day last week for the east we were told that he had gone to take unto himself a bride, but being from the state where they have to be shown, we refrained from making mention of it at that time. But there was no mistake about it for both he and his bride, Miss Katie Beckwith, returned to Lusk Saturday, they having been married in Omaha. The groom is an old resident here, being engaged in the stock business and last fall he bought the Lusk hotel, which he has been running ever since. He met his wife here this winter and from the start their acquaintance ripened into love, which culminated in this happy termination. We extend to them our hearty congratulations. 

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