MESSER, Hiram Lincoln, 1860-1920

MESSER, MILLER, OLINGER, SCARFF, ALLENDER

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 2/17/2012 at 16:21:42

Mount Peasant (IA) News
29 May 1920

HIRAM LINCOLN MESSER

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One of the saddest events that has ever taken place in these parts was the accidental death of Mr. Hiram Lincoln Messer, which took place in an automobile accident just east of Lockridge on the evening of May 26, 1920. He was a son of John and Rhoda Miller Messer and was born November 10, 1860, in Trenton township, Henry county, Iowa, and was fifty-nine years, six months and sixteen days old at the time of his death. He was one of a family of fourteen children. Those remaining are two brothers, Alvin Messer and Simon Messer, both of Rome, Iowa, Mrs. Hugh Olinger and Mrs. James Scarff, both of Rome, and Mrs. George Allender of Lockridge, Iowa. Deceased had spent most of his life not far from the place of his birth where he had many friends. They were dreadfully shocked to hear of his tragic death. Much sympathy is expressed for his bereaved relatives.

Funeral services were held in the church at White Oak on Friday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock, following a brief service at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Olinger in Rome, where the body was taken after the accident. Pastor Frank E. Weston of the First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, was in charge. Mrs. Spencer Kinney, Miss Mary Swails, Mr. Frank A. Hill and Mr. Joseph Harter, with Miss Fern Hopkirk as accompanist, sang, "Jesus Lover of My Soul", "Jesus, Savior Pilot Me" and "Rock of Ages". Mr. Weston spoke from I Samuel 20:3, "There is but a step between me and death."

A very large number was in attendance. Beautiful flowers covered the casket. Much grief was manifested. The family had on the previous Sunday followed another brother, Mr. Calvin Messer, who dropped dead the week before, to his grave. That intensified the sorrow of the occasion. The pall bearers were all nephews of the departed. They were Asbury, Lincoln, Sheridan, Freeman and Bert Messer and Lawrence Allender. Interment was in the White Oak cemetery. "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live."