Andrew Valentine Closson Family

Andrew Valentine Closson, was born the 22nd of February 1862 in Crawford County, Wisconsin to Claes Eric "Clossey" Closson and Martha Linston/Lingsten of Sweden who had sailed to America in 1849. Clossey served in the Civil war and then settled down with his wife and 6 children and resumed farming.

Andrew was baptized in the Wheatville branch, of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Crawford Co., Wisconsin, by William Savage, and was ordained an elder and served the Excelsior branch as president. He was later ordained a seventy and still later a high priest. On the 4th of April 1886, when Andrew Valentine Closson was 24, he married Mary Alida Brown a convert to his church. Mary was born on the 20th of September 1867 in Reading, Massachusetts to James Byron Brown and Mary Ann Godfrey Brown.

They became the parents of four children, Virgie L., 1888, Glen Byron, 1892, Clarice Alverel Godfrey, 1895 and Ila L., born about 1901. Andrew was an active missionary in Wisconsin. Andrew Closson became the second branch president of the Frankfort Wisconsin branch, in 1895, serving until 1900. He was a good carpenter and helped build the church building. He designed and build the seats.

He and "Mamie" with three of their children were on the April 1910 census, living in Spokane Washington at 415 South Fiske Street, within walking distance of the Spokane Branch at 3rd avenue and Smith street. His occupation was listed as "Pastor" of a "church". At the Spokane District Conference on June 12, 1909 he had been elected District President and again at the June 11, 1910 conference. He resigned as District President at a conference held on December 10, 1910.

The family moved to Independence Missouri where on November 23, 1922, at the age of 60 years, 9 months and 1 day, he was killed from an accidental fall from a building, breaking his neck. On his death certificate his occupation is listed as a Minister of the L.D.S. [RLDS] Church and contractor/carpenter. He is buried in the RLDS Church "Mound Grove" cemetery in Independence. Mary Alida (Brown) Closson died in Independence, Missouri on the 8th of April 1955, she was 87 years old.

Printable Copy

7/9/23