Written by Kyle Moser, Feb. 2023

Karl Simon Moser was born in 1900, into a Mennonite family in a small town near Wayne, Ohio. His parents, Simon and Lydia, were hardworking farmers who instilled in Karl the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work from an early age.

As a boy, Karl was always curious and fascinated by the world around him. He loved reading books and learning new things, especially about the law. He was particularly inspired by Clarence Darrow and the Scopes trial, wherein Darrow defended the teacher John Scopes’ right to teach the theory of evolution in the class room. Karl read all about the trail in the news, and he dreamed of becoming a lawyer just like Darrow.

Despite the challenges he faced growing up in a rural community with limited resources, Karl never gave up on his dream. He worked odd jobs to pay for his education, and after years of hard work and dedication, he finally passed the bar exam.

Karl's dedication to his profession and his passion for justice never wavered, even as he started a family of his own. He and his wife, Dorothy Pinkle, had two children, a son named Roger Alden and a daughter named Margaret Louise (who became known as Peg). Karl worked tirelessly to provide for them while also pursuing his legal career.

But then the Great Depression hit, and everything changed, and his dreams of becoming a successful lawyer seemed to slip away.

Luckily he managed to find work as an agent of the US Customs Department, using his legal knowledge and acumen to help enforce the law and protect the country from smugglers and other criminals. Over time, he became one of the most respected and successful agents in the department, known for his dedication and tenacity.

Despite the encouragement of his peers, Karl never pursued a career in politics. He believed that his family and his work in law enforcement was more important than seeking personal fame or power.

As the years passed, Karl looked back on his life with pride and satisfaction. Though his dreams of becoming a lawyer had been derailed by the depression, he had found a new purpose and made a significant impact through his work with the Customs Department.

In the end, Karl Simon Moser proved that true success comes not only from achieving one's own ambitions, but also from serving others and making a difference in the world through contributions to a larger system.