Adrian Joss (1880 - 1911)

Born 12 Apr 1880 in Woodland, Dodge, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Died 14 Apr 1911 at age 31 in Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, United States

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Biography

Adrian "Addie" Joss was born April 12, 1880 in Wisconsin to Jacob Joss and Theresa Staudenmayer Joss. In the June 18th census that year, he is shown as 1 month old. His father Jacob was born in Switzerland about 1854, and was working as a cheesemaker. Addie's mother was estimated as born in 1856 in Wisconsin.

Addie's father Jacob was working as a constable in Juneau, Wisconsin in 1890 when he died on October 5 at the young age of 37. JACOB JOSS's Findagrave page shows his birth as August 7, 1853. The death record for Addie's father reveals grandfather was John Joss, grandmother Eliza Kornitzer. Addie's mother Theresa Staudenmayer Joss' Findagrave page shows she passed away in 1943 in Portage, Wisconsin.

The Findagrave page for ADRIAN JOSS gives his timeline of 1880-1911, has links to pages for his parents, spouse, and two children. There is also a biography of his baseball exploits.

Addie Joss was a terrific pitcher with a deceiving windup, and achieved spectacular results. In a nine year career with Cleveland from 1902-1910, his record was 160-97, with an ERA of 1.88, which ranks 2nd all time. Addie threw 2 no-hitters, one of which was a complete game.

Addie Joss married Lillian M. Shinavar(1877-1955) on October 11, 1902 in Monroe, Michigan. Addie and Lillian would have two children:

1. Norman A. Joss 1909-1977
2. Ruth Joss 1906-?

This is shown in the 1910 census of Toledo, Ohio.

Lillian's parents were Michael Shinavar and Mary Seager Shinavar. Wife Lillian's maiden name was spelled at least 5 different ways in various records. Her birth record shows Chinavar, 1880 census shows Shinavar, and 1900 census shows Shinarar, for example. Baseball history sites like sabr.org note spelling as Shinavar, as in 1880 census, and though no direct relations found so far, several Shinaver and Shinavar families in the Michigan and Ohio area from 1870-1900.

As described on Findagrave and articles on Wikipedia and sabr, Addie Joss became ill in 1911, feeling weak and suffering fainting spells. He died suddenly on April 14, 1911.

Addie Joss was so well liked by fellow players of all teams, that the first All Star game ever was organized in his honor to help support his widow and two children.

At least 7 future Hall of Famers, some of the best of all time, participated, including:

1. Cy Young
2. Ty Cobb
3. Walter Johnson
4. Frank "Home Run" Baker
5. Sam Crawford
6. Eddie Collins
7. Tris Speaker

Another participant Shoeless Joe Jackson.

A set of baseball cards referred to today as T-206s, were included in cigarette products from 1909-1911. Addie Joss had a couple variations, and all of the players noted above except Joe Jackson had cards as well. These were about 2" x 3", and most were portraits, and with a few exceptions, very artistically done. An image of one of Addie's variations attached.

Baseball had a rule about needing a ten year career to be considered for the Hall of Fame, but a combination of the incredible talent he had, and the tragedy of his story, caused Addie Joss to get his due. In 1977, he was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame.

Sources

• *Findagrave Memorial #6963 ADDIE JOSS
• Findagrave Memorial 30292794 THERESA STAUDENMAYER JOSS
• 1880 census Herman, Dodge, Wisconsin, ADRIAN JOSS
• 1910 census Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, sheet 8B, house 189, ADRAIN(sic) JOSS
• Wikipedia profile Addie Joss
• Sabr.org profile Addie Joss
• "The Encyclopedia of Baseball" 7th edition, 1988