MESSMORE - Reunions - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Aug 27, 1895, will long be remembered by AD Messmore, wife and children. For the last six months the sons and daughters have set aside one day in the year for the purpose of returning to the paternal hearthstone. AD Messmore was born May 8, 1816 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He immigrated to Union County, Ind in 1837 where he met Miss Abigail Hunt who was born May 3, 1823, and became Mrs. AD Messmore Jan 9, 1840. They began housekeeping in Union County, Ind where they lived for two years and then moved to Fayette County, Penn where they tarried two years, then again returning to Union County, Ind where they remained until the year 1856, moving thence to Montgomery County, Ind where they resided for the three following years. Leaving there they settled near Newtown, Fountain County, Ind where they have since resided. There have been born to them 11 children in the following order: Martha, wife of John D. Brown, who resides near Mellott and also near the old house at home; Charles Wilson, who married Miss Sidney J. Kellogg, is a wide awake man of affairs and is at present engaged in the erection of a large business house in the town of Mellott; Henry R met and led to the altar Miss Amanda Stevens. They live in Veedersburg where Henry finds employment in the lumber firm of Osborn & Co; Mary A, wife of John Stout, their home is near Crawfordsville; Isaac Newton went down in death at the age of 20 years; John J. found a companion and helpmate in the person of Sarah E. McIntyre. This amiable couple also reside near Crawfordsville; Emily became the wife of Benjamin Stout. There was a kind of natural affinity existing between the Messmore girls and Stout boys. The old saying, “Two crows from the same nest is not desirable,” is not true in their case.  Jane and Clara, twins;  Jane, wife of David Jackson lives near Darlington; Clara found the choice and companion of her girlhood to be Alvin Breaks. Mrs. Breaks was detained at home by the illness of her daughter; her son and his wife were present to grace the occasion. Mr. Breaks lives near Crawfordsville.  William L won the heart and hand of Miss Lavira Strader; he has experienced in her the philosophy of Solomon. “Whosoever getteth a wife obtaineth a favor of the Lord.” William, his wife and the beautiful Miss Pearl are domiciled with and caring “for the old folks at home.” Maggie, the youngest daughter is the accomplished wife of John Cowan. John is the biggest son-in-law of the lot; their home is near New Richmond. 23 grandchildren and three great grandchildren rise up and call these old folks blessed.  AD Messmore has recently purchased 25 acres of timbered land and says he is perfectly at home yet with the grubbing hoe  He is the proprietor of 125 acres of fine land. He is now nearly an octogenarian surrounded by favorable circumstances, yet has the companionship and advice of the wife of his young manhood.  The table at the noon hour was placed under a large canopy and was loaded with rich viands ? Rev. RH Gott of Mellott returned thanks to the giver of all good for his bounties to the children of men.  After the repast music and songs were the order of the hour. Miss Clara Hunt of Darlington, aged 10 years gave a brilliant Prohibition recitation that was warmly applauded. Time sped away and soon good byes were in order.  Rev RH Gott made a few remarks by way of reminiscence and offered prayer which closed the ceremonies of the sixth annual reunion of the Messmore family.  Soon will be the reunion in the great beyond.  We hope Uncle Andy and Aunt Abigail will meet all their children in the “sweet by and by!”

It has been the custom of the Messmore family to hold their annual reunion at the old homestead near Mellott, Fountain County, but by request of Mrs. John N. Stout, it was held at her home, four miles west of the city, on Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Messmore are the parents of ten children, who were all present with their father and mother excepting Henry, residing in Veedersburg. To say they enjoyed the day and all the surroundings wouldn’t near tell it. Uncle Andy has now passed his 82d year and Aunt Abigail has reached her 75th year and laid it aside long ago. This happy old couple was married Jan. 9, 1840, their oldest child now being 58 years old, and their youngest, Mrs. John Cowan, is 34.

This remarkable family of ten children are all living and enjoying the best of health, and the aged parents are as nimble and spry as some of our generation of today are at the age of thirty or even younger. Uncle Andy and wife were up bright and early Tuesday morning and drove almost twenty miles by 8 o’clock, so they haven’t forgotten how to go to picnics in time to get their names in the dinner.

Another interesting event of the day was the meeting of Aunt Abbie and her two sisters, Mrs. Brown, of Monon, and Aunt Marge McIntire, of this place. These three old sisters have always been present at the reunions and what a pleasant experience it is to be with them and know how they do enjoy being together and may the Lord spare them that they may be able to be with us in our reunions in years to come.

At 11:30 the crowd gathered around the long table in the dining room and the brothers and sisters and friends had all assisted Mrs. Stout in preparing a grand noonday meal, and when 3 o’clock came in the evening it found the Messmores and their friends still trying to devour that noonday meal. To attempt to describe this varied collation would be too trying to the appetite of the average individual, there being about twenty five different kinds of cake, and fruits of every kind. The latter part of the evening was spent in music and social conversation, there being about sixty present. All departed feeling they had been blessed with another happy family reunion. May we all be present at the family reunion in that brighter and better land, where all is peace and joy and love.