lemuel moss was born in bullittsville, kentucky on december 27, 1829, to demas and esther moss. after the first four years of his childhood, he relocated to dearborn county, indiana for another ten years. a printer by trade, moss worked mainly a printer in cincinnati, ohio until 1853. he received his b.a. from the university of rochester in 1858, as well as a degree from rochester theological seminary in 1860. he also received his d.d. and ll.d. from the university of rochester (1868, 1883). moss served as the pastor of the first baptist church of worcester, massachusetts (1860–1864) and in woodbury, new jersey (1864–1866). during that time (1864–1865), he served as the secretary of the u.s. christian committee.