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MESSINGER, John F. 1831-1906

MESSINGER, TIBBETTS, HALL, SHERMAN, CALEASE, DUNHAM, MASON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/21/2015 at 23:57:53

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Tuesday, November 6, 1906, Waterloo, Iowa]

DEATH ANGEL CALLED HIM

John F. Messinger Passed Away This Morning.

Was One of the Earliest Settlers of the County.

One of the earliest settlers of Black Hawk county answered the last summons this morning when John F. Messinger quietly passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. H. Mason, at 309 Franklin street, with whom he had made, his home since the death of his wife, October 3 1905. Mr. Messinger had been in poor health for the past three years hut only within the last two months had he noticeably failed in health. For a little over a week, he had been confined to his bed and within the past few days, his death had been but a question of time. His death was peaceful and occurred this morning at five o'clock.

John F. Messinger was born in Marion County, Indiana, March 8, 1832. When he was in his sixteenth year, he moved with his parents to Iowa where they settled in Bremer County on the spot where Denver now stands. The country was in its pioneer state then. Everything was wild and unsettled and Indians roamed the plains. Iowa had just been admitted to the union and his father was the first postmaster appointed in Bremer County holding the office until his death.

Mr. Messinger was married in 1851 to Miss Phoebe Tibbetts, a native of Marion County, Indiana, and their marriage was the first to be consummated in the county. To this union then children were born of whom two died in infancy and two after they were grown, the death of one daughter, Mrs. C. E. Hall occurring in Waterloo two years ago last April. The children who survive are; Mrs. C. M. Sherman, Mrs. E. C. Richards, Tacoma; J. M. Messinger, Redlands, Calif.; Mrs. John Calease, Clarksville; Mrs. H. Z. Dunham, Mrs. J. H. Mason, Waterloo.

Two pairs of twins were born to the couple, the oldest and the youngest being twins, all of whom are living. At the funeral of the mother a little over a year ago, the four were all present but only three will be present at the funeral of the father as Mrs. Richards will be unable to come.

Besides the children, a number of grandchildren and several great-grandchildren survive.

Mr. Messinger resided in Bremer County until 1866 when he removed with his family to Black Hawk County, settling near Waterloo where he had since resided until his wife's death which occurred in Tacoma, Wash., a year ago. Since that time, he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs, Mason, where he had been very happy, finding special pleasure in watching his little grandchildren and taking great interest in their sports. During the summer, he spent much time sitting out on the porch and until a few weeks ago, was frequently seen down town.

Mr. Messinger was an old soldier having served his country faithfully for three years during the civil war. He enlisted from Bremer County in the 14th Iowa and since moving to Black Hawk County, has been a member of the Robert Anderson G. A. R. post of Waterloo. Many of his old comrades still survive and they frequently met and revived pleasant memories in talking over the years they fought side by side in behalf of a common cause. As one of the early settlers of the county, he was greatly interested in the Old Settlers' Association and although at the time of its last meeting at Chautauqua Park last summer, he was not very well, he attended and listened with pleasure to all that was said and enjoyed meeting the many old time acquaintances and friends.

Deceased was from his earliest years a member of the Methodist Church since living in the country near Waterloo, he and his wife regularly attended services at Grace M. E. Church where many people will remember having seen them and marked the quiet sanctity and simple grace of their religious devotions. He and his wife were both beautiful characters and the lives which were so closely knit together in the flesh are now re-united in the spirit after the separation of
one brief year.

The funeral services will be held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. H. Mason, on Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. E. D. Hull, pastor of Grace M. E. Church.

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Burial at Fairview Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa

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Photo is the property of seasons100 and janicet


 

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