Old Pioneer’s Wife Dies

The death of Mrs. Angeline Messersmith come as somewhat of a shock to the people of Farnam and community. She was the wife of Mr. T.J. Messersmith, now 79 years old, who settled north of Orafino 36 years ago. The family is well known in this community and a genuine feeling of sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives and friends.

Mrs. Messersmith, formerly Angeline Henness, was born in Shelby County, Indiana, August 13, 1842, when about 10 years of age, her parents moved to Missouri. She was married to Mr. T.J. Messersmith in June 1860. They lived in Missouri for about 6-7 years from there moving to Iowa, living there about 12 years. At least part of this time was spent near Albia, Monroe county, Iowa. They then moved to Sarpy county Nebraska near South Bend. Mr. Messersmith rented a place from Mr. Decker, who was instrumental in inaugurating the first state fish hatcheries near South Bend. Mr. Messersmith was hired to tend these hatchings and with his son, Marion put up the first house ever established for the state fisheries. Mr. Decker sold out his place to the State some two years later and Mr. Messersmith moved on the adjoining place. They moved later to Gage county, Nebraska, where they lived for about two years.

In June 1884, Mr. Messersmith came to Frontier county, leaving Mrs. Messersmith and the children in Gage county until February of the next year, when they all moved out to the place north of Orafino, where Mr. Messersmith preempted an 80 and put in a 160 acre timber claim, which he proved up on and now has a very fine lot of timber on his land.

Mrs. Messersmith gave birth to thirteen children in the following order, eleven of whom are now living, B.M. Messersmith; Mrs. D.A. Armstrong (deceased Mar 29, 1916, age 54); Mrs.S.G. Foster of Cambridge; T.C. Messersmith of Malmo, Minn.; Mrs. A.E. Kelly of Weatherford, Okla.; T.H. Messersmith; Mrs. E.H. Hart of Elmo, Mo.; A.A. Messersmith; Mrs. C.W. Bray of Stockville; G.W. Messersmith: Mrs. W.E. Adkisson; Mrs. C.C. Thompson (deceased Nov. 1911) and A.J. Messersmith.

Mrs. Messersmith is survived by one sister and two brothers, , Mrs. J. Armstrong of Independence, Mo.; Mr. Perry Henness of Fontana, Kansas and Mr. Jack Henness of Oklahoma. Mrs. J. Armstrong is about 4 or 6 years older than her sister Mrs. Messersmith.

Source: The Farnam Echo, Vol. 17, No. 00, pg. 1, 18 MAR 1920

Recorders Note: Died 7 MAR 1920, buried at Farnam 9 MAR 1920 according to Farnam Echo of 11 MAR 1920 notice of death.

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