The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-24
Pioneer Career Woman Decides To Take Rest Mrs. Johanna Moss Directed Cigar-Making In- dustry for 43 Years - Recalls Old-Time
 Associates - Reveals Personal,
 Business Philosophy.

Yesterday Mrs. Johanna Moss cigar establishment at 151 Bank street, which she has operated for the past 43 years, and turned the key in the door for the last and perhaps the 200,O0Cth time, and left responsibility to new owner.
 Moving vivaciouSly about her of flee as she packed yellowed papers dating back to 1902, when her hus- band died and she took over his business, the 74-year old career wo- man said, I've been having the grandest time this afternoon look ing over the stuff I've accumulated over the past 43 years"
 And the woman who held the dis tinction of being the nations only woman cigar manufacturer was hav- ing a wonderful time-giving last minute orders, answering calls from old-time friends, and trying to decide what to do with everything. Reminiscent
 AS she cleaned the pigeon-holes of her roll top desk, Mrs. Moss was | also in a mood for reminiScing As if it were yesterday, she recalled the day her young husband passed on from a sudden illness in 1902, and she faced the problem of raiS- ing and educating her three young daughters, Loretta, II, Adeline, 10, and Mae, 8. Literally, she didn't know which way to turn. Her husbands business was just begin ming to make money, but her friends and relatives reminded her that women just didn't carry on cigar businesses.
 Gentile ladies of the day Whc were forced to earn their daily bread usually turned to dressmak- ing or millinery or served as clerks Widows like herself, unless blessed with a substantial nest-egg, with the help of Providence, eked out liv ing by taking Washings in by the day.
 Mrs. Moss previous to her mar riage in her teens had done a little dressmaking. but with the keen business perception that guided her to success, she was cognizant that the profession was passing, since retail clothing factories were be- ginning to spring up in the larger cities.
 Better Judgment
 Determined that her children would enjoy the best she could provide, Mrs. Moss cast aside all admonitions and decided to follow | the dictates of her better judgment With a black veil tied over her face and flowing down her back, and with black flowing skirts trailing the dust, she took off on foot to sell her wares in Waterbury and adjacent towns.
 Stares and advice encountered hel in every establishment from the main street cigar stores to the to- bacco markets in New York and Hartford But the pioneer career woman kept on. Mrs. Moss laughed heartily as she recalled slushino through heavy snoWs, seriously Ill, with temperature of 103.
 Only one person ever encouraged the young widow to continue. That was J. w. Cohen, who ran Cohens Drug store for years at Bauby's cor ner. Years later, when her children were grown and Mrs. Moss was her aided on one of Waterbury's most successful business women, he said T shall never forget the first day you stepped~into my shop With that pale face peering out from that black veil. You looked so scared but so determined"
 But whatever went Wrong-trom drunken employees to poor tobacco crops - Mrs. Moss had full coop eration of her three growing girls who always lent a helping hand al home. The secret of the teamwork she said, was that she always con- fided in them.
 q just say Now, look girls, Mother is averaging about $40 week. If I have to hire a house. keeper, we'll just have that much less for your music lessons ana your education"
 The years passed and the Uni verse cigar business prospered. The day came, too, when the nations pioneer woman cigar manufacturer saw her three girls graduate and marry. But still she kept on.
 T felt the time just hadn't come to quit. When my girls married, this seemed to be the closest bond be- tween my husband and myself. This" she said pointing to partial ly wrapped picture, has hung on the wall right there where my hus- band placed it nearly 45 years ago." OId-Time Friendship
 The highlight of her social life during her early struggles was her weekly visits with her friend, Mrs. Nettie Floto. She met the we'll known woman florist the day she ordered funeral wreath for her 1 husband. Mrs. Floto, then assisting Frank Floto operate his florist shop on South Main street, was so sym