J. McKenzie Moss


John McKenzie Moss was a United States Representative from Kentucky and a Judge of the Court of Claims.

Education and career

Born on January 3, 1868, on a farm near Bennettstown, an unincorporated community in Christian County, Kentucky, Moss was a nephew of James A. McKenzie. He attended the common and private schools, then attended the Kent College of Law and read law with W.G. and A.T. Ewing in Chicago, Illinois in 1893. He worked for the Railway Mail Service from 1888 to 1891. He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky and adjoining counties from 1893 to 1902.

Congressional service

Moss successfully contested as a Republican the election of John Stockdale Rhea to the United States House of Representatives of the 57th United States Congress and served from March 25, 1902, to March 3, 1903. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902 to the 58th United States Congress.

Later career

Moss returned to private practice in Bowling Green from 1903 to 1909. He was a Judge of the Kentucky Circuit Court for the Eighth Judicial District from 1909 to 1921. He worked in the Office of Alien Property Custodian from 1921 to 1922, as assistant general counsel from 1921 to 1922 and as general counsel in 1922. He was Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in charge of estate and capital tax in the United States Department of the Treasury from 1922 to 1923. He was an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury from 1923 to 1926.

Federal judicial service

Moss was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on May 26, 1926, to a seat on the Court of Claims vacated by Judge George Eddy Downey. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 7, 1926, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on June 11, 1929, due to his death in Washington, D.C. He was interred in Powell Cemetery in LaFayette, Christian County, Kentucky.