MESSENGER, Isaiah - 1890 Bio (1841-1916)

MESSENGER, MINER, BANDY, VANICE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/18/2007 at 13:19:23

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 267-268

Isaiah MESSENGER, senior member of the firm of MESSENGER & Raney, manufacturers of tile, of Fairfield, ranks among the enterprising business men of that flourishing little city, where he has now made his home for eleven years. In Madison County, N. Y., on the 25th of January, 1841, he was born. His parents, Samuel and Eunice (MINER) MESSENGER, were both natives of Connecticut, and the father was of Welsh descent. During youth, both children emigrated with their respective families to the Empire State, where they grew to maturity, and were married. About 1838, they removed to Chicago, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, now comprised within the corporation limits of that city, but on account of sickness they removed to the Buckeye State, making a settlement in Madison County. Mr. MESSENGER operated a farm, ran a woolen mill, engaged in the manufacture of potash, and carried on other lines of industry, including a dry-goods store. He was a wide-awake and competent business man, sagacious, far-sighted and energetic, and as a result, met with success in almost every undertaking. He had also taught school in earlier life, and became an excellent scribe. He never aspired to official positions, but was an ardent Whig until the dissolution of that party, when he became a stanch supporter of Republican principles. His death occurred at about the age of sixty years, after which Mrs. MESSENGER came to Iowa and spent her last days in Des Moines County. She had also attained her sixtieth year at the time of her death. In their family were seven children, five of whom, three sons and two daughters are yet living.

The subject of this sketch, Isaiah MESSENGER, was the fifth in order of birth. He received such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded, and was reared to farm life, assisting his father until twenty-one years of age when he launched out in business for himself. The year 1863 witnessed his arrival in Des Moines County, Iowa, where he was exclusively engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. In 1869, in connection with his farm work, he began making tile by hand process, capacity two thousand per day. With increased patronage, he enlarged his facilities until he owned a good steam power factory with a capacity of about ten thousand three-inch tile. After ten years he determined to change his place of location, and on selling out in 1879, came to Fairfield, where he formed a partnership with William Elliott in the manufacture of tile, to which he had formerly devoted a part of his time. They built a plant which they have improved until they can turn out fifteen thousand three-inch tile per day. In 1886 Mr. Elliott sold his interest to Mr. A. C. Raney, and the firm became MESSENGER & Raney. They find a ready sale for their product over Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, and furnish employment to sixteen hands. Mr. MESSENGER is also interested in the raisin business in Fresno County, Cal.

While a resident of Des Moines County, Mr. MESSENGER, on the 22d of February, 1866, formed a matrimonial alliance with Kate BANDY, a native of Des Moines County, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Mary (VANICE) BANDY, who were among the early settlers of that county. They became parents of four children, but two died in infancy, and Maggie lived to be only eleven years old. Otis is the only surviving one. They also have an adopted daughter, Miss Mary BANDY, who finds a pleasant home with her adopted parents. Both Mr. MESSENGER and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, of which he has been Trustee for ten years. He has ever supported the Republican party, having cast his first Presidental (sic) vote for Abraham Lincoln, and feels a deep interest in its success. His residence in Iowa covers a period of twenty-seven years, the greater part of which time has been spent in Des Moines and Jefferson Counties, where by his upright life and fair dealing he has won many friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity. The firm of which he is a member, owns about five acres of land, and has invested about $14,000 in the plant. Mr. MESSENGER has the entire management of the business. No enterprise has added more materially to the prosperity of the county than the above tile works, and much credit is due him who established and has so successfully carried on the business.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.