MESSICK, James W.

MESSICK, HAYWOOD, CURTIS, COLE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/27/2006 at 10:44:56

"Fairfield Ledger", Jan. 29, 1908, Pg. 6, Col. 4

ANOTHER PIONEER PASSED AWAY. James W. MESSICK died at his home in this city Monday, aged 88 years 6 months and 29 days.

Born in Rockingham, Va., June 28th, 1819, learned the carpenter trade, and came to Fairfield in November of 1847, where he helped in the construction of some of the earliest residences. In 1848 he was married to Rebekah HAYWOOD, and four children by this marriage survive the parents. Mr. MESSICK was a veteran of the Mexican War, having served under Col. CURTIS in the Second Ohio Infantry, and in 1861 enlisted for the Civil War under the same colonel, in Company E, Second Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to sergeant, served with his regiment for three years it was at the front, and for a year was chief of scouts.

After the death of his wife, Mr. MESSICK was again married to Miss Arlinda M. COLE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel COLE, in Fairfield, October 29th, 1894. Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afteroon, members of the George Strong Post, G.A.R., attending in a body. Mr. MESSICK was a good soldier, a good citizen, and an honest, upright man....

----

"Fairfield Ledger", Feb. 5, 1908, Pg. 6, Col. 4

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT. 'Taps' was sounded by our great Commander January 27th, 1908, and our comrade, James W. MESSICK, responded to the call to join the large majority of his comrades in the great beyond. Comrade James W. MESSICK was a charter member of Company E, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry... He was one of the boys to whom was entrusted the beautiful silk flag presented to his company by the patriotic ladies of Fairfield, May 24th, 1861, charging them to take it, guard it well and not return it until victory was won. He followed that flag in the bloody battles of Fort Donaldson (sic), Shiloh, Corinth, Bear Creek, Atlanta, and then with Sherman to the sea, and took personal pride in seeing the flag returned untarnished, and ever afterwards saw to its care and preservation....

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