MESSER, Fred W. - 1912 Bio (1879-1947)

MESSER, ROTH, ENGEL, MIKSCH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/23/2007 at 19:42:03

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 395-396

Fred W. MESSER is engaged in the operation of the farm in Walnut township where he was born, on the 10th of February, 1879. He is a son of John Adam and Rebecca (ROTH) MESSER, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Iowa. In his early manhood John A. MESSER emigrated to the United States, locating in Jefferson county. He subsequently bought some raw land in Walnut township that he set about clearing and improving. An energetic man of business ability, he made a success of his undertakings and as time passed, acquired the means to extend his holdings. He now owns two hundred and seventy-five acres in Walnut township and two hundred in Penn township, under high cultivation and well improved. In 1896, Mr. MESSER withdrew from the active work of the fields, his property netting him an income sufficiently large to provide all of life's comforts. They continue to live on the old homestead on the farm, that has been their home for many years, he having attained the age of seventy-two years and she being sixty-eight years of age.

Practically the entire life of Fred W. MESSER has been spent amid the scenes made familiar to him in his childhood, his preliminary education having been obtained in the district schools and later supplemented by two terms in the academy at Pleasant Plain. Ever since leaving school he has been operating his father's farm, and is meeting with a goodly measure of success. He is a capable young man of clear judgment and practical ideas, who intelligently concentrates his efforts on whatsoever he undertakes. In the pursuit of his vocation he directs his efforts in strict accordance with the commonly accepted methods of modern agriculture, thus keeping in touch with the progressive spirit of the times.

On the 8th of June, 1904, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. MESSER and Miss Celestine ENGEL, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (MIKSCH) ENGEL, natives of Ohio. Together with his parents Joseph ENGEL came to Iowa, in 1861, locating on a farm in Washington county. He made his home with his people until his marriage, following which he and his bride took up their residence in another house on the same farm. After his father's death he purchased the old homestead, that he operated with increasing success for many years. In 1904 he retired from active life and he and the mother retired to Brighton, where they have ever since lived. He is now sixty-eight and she sixty-one years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. MESSER there have been born two sons, Clifford, who is five and Walter F., who is two years of age.

In matters of faith Mr. and Mrs. MESSER are Lutherans, and hold membership in the English church of that denomination in Fairfield. He is a democrat in his political views and at the present time is acting as a trustee of Walnut township, having entered upon the duties of this office in January, 1911, and he is also a school director in the local district. Mr. MESSER is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer settlers and is held in high regard in the community where he has always lived, because of his many fine personal traits and commendable standards of life.

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