J. McKenzie Moss

Who was J. McKenzie Moss?

John McKenzie Moss was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky and a judge on the United States Court of Claims.

Born on a farm near Bennettstown, Kentucky, Moss was a nephew of James Andrew McKenzie. He attended the common and private schools. He was employed in the Railway Mail Service from 1888 to 1891. He studied law, taking evening classes at Kent Law School in Chicago. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and practiced in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and adjoining counties. He successfully contested as a Republican the election of John Stockdale Rhea to 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 Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Bowling Green.

Moss was elected judge of the eighth judicial district of Kentucky in 1909. He was reelected in 1915 and served until 1921. He was appointed assistant general counsel and general counsel for the Alien Property Custodian from 1921 to 1922. He resigned on February 6, 1922, to become Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue in charge of estate and capital tax, in which capacity he served until his resignation March 2, 1923. On March 3, 1923 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and served until July 13, 1926, when he resigned.