MESING, J.

MESING, ENGEL, BOYD

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/30/2003 at 08:57:23

Biography reproduced from page 396 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

J. Mesing, who has been actively connected with the mercantile interests of Algona for several years, was born in Munster, Westphalen, Germany, February 27, 1859, a son of Anton and Gertrude Mesing, both of whom were also natives of Munster, where they lived throughout their entire lives. The father was engaged as a contractor and builder during his active career. They were the parents of five children: Bernard, deceased; J., of this review; Anton, of Berlin, Germany; Caspar, deceased; and Diana, of Munster, Westphalen, Germany.

J. Mesing pursued his education in the common schools of Germany and after he had completed the courses which they offered he entered the Munster Seminary, remaining there as a student until he had reached his eighteenth year, when he entered the army. After completing his three years’ service in the army he remained at home for one year, at the end of which period he embarked for America, locating at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While still in his native land he had studied the trade of watchmaking and after his arrival in Milwaukee he pursued the same line of work until he met Professor Boch, under whom he studied music for four and one-half years. Later he removed to Chicago and there followed his trade as a watchmaker for about five years before settling in Hanover, Kansas, where he resided until 1892, when he came to Burt, Kossuth county. As soon as he arrived in this county he engaged in the jewelry business but after a few years disposed of his stock to H. Meizer and came to Algona, where he entered upon the sale of musical goods exclusively. This enterprise filled a long felt want in the musical circles of this city and he has met with a goodly measure of success. His musical ability together with his love for anything connected with music has helped him in winning a patronage which appreciates the worth of a salesman whose business interests and talents are identical. At various times he also worked at his former trade as an expert watchmaker but the greater part of his time is given to the furthering of the musical interests of the city. He is a member of the Algona Band, in which organization he has ample opportunity to give others the benefit of his training and ability.

In 1891 Mr. Mesing was married to Miss Mary Engel, who was of German parentage, and they became the parents of two children: Max, who resides in Omaha, Nebraska, and is engaged as a fireman on the Union Pacific Railway; and Gertrude, who is employed in the First National Bank of Algona. Mrs. Mesing passed away in 1895 and in 1901 Mr. Mesing married Miss Nettie Boyd, of Houston, Minnesota.

In politics Mr. Mesing casts his vote with the republican party, and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the United Workmen. He was formerly connected with the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of the lodge of that order at Hanover, Kansas. Mrs. Mesing is a member of the Presbyterian church of Algona. Mr. Mesing possesses the salient characteristics of his German ancestry—perseverance and thoroughness,--combined with an alert, enterprising spirit which is typical of the American nation and which is soon absorbed by the foreigner coming to this country and engaging in the commercial activities found in almost every American city.