Messmore Family
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 28 August 1896
On last Thursday at the old homestead of the Messmore family, near Mellott, was held their annual reunion with old friends and neighbors present also. At an early hour pleasant good mornings and hearty greetings began to play their friendly part. This continued until more than a hundred had gathered. Among those who came was the Veedersburg orchestra, which contributed much in addition to the day’s splendor. Their enchanting tones recalled to the old the flowery dews of youth, and amid the laughter of the jolly crowd, the old folks whirled about.
This family is one of the few which enjoys the blessings of longevity.
Andrew Messmore is 80 years of age and still a man of the woods. Abigal Messmore, though 73 years old, is able to compete with the best in the egg and butter line. To them have been born ten children.
Martha, aged 56 years, married to J. D. Brown in 1858. To them were born seven children: Samuel, deceased; Allen, Harve, deceased; Clara, deceased; Jasper, Brazier and Riffle. Their union was broken by the death of the father, Oct. 30, 1895, aged 78.
C. Wilson, aged 52 years, married S. Jane Kellogg in 1873. Children: A. Wilson, Dan M., Clara E.
Henry C., aged 49, married Amanda Stebbens in 1874.
Mary S., aged 47 years, married John N. Stout in 1867. Children: May Nye, alias Pet.
I. Newton, deceased, aged 20 years, 6 months.
John J., aged 44, married Sarah E. McIntire in 1873. Children: three infants deceased and Leona.
Emily married Benj. F. Stout. Children: Jas. F., Lulu M., Harry T., and Clara Elsie.
Clara A., aged 40 years, married David C. Jackson in 1873. Children: Robt. D., Minnie M., Eston C., A. Clifford.
William, aged 38, married Lovire Strader in 1882. Children: E. Pearl.
Margaret D., aged 32, married J. B. Cowan in 1885. Children: L. Scott, Walter H., A. Mearl.
All engaged in singing that soul stirring song, “Home Sweet Home” and departed with good wishes and a hope of such another day.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 27 August 1897
The Messmore family held their annual reunion last Thursday, Aug. 19, at the old homestead near Mellott where their parents, Andy and Abigail Messmore still reside. Mr. Messmore has reached the ripe old age of 81 years and Mrs. Messmore is 74 years of age. They both enjoy the blessings of good health for people that age. They have nine children, twenty five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren now living. About ten o’clock they began to arrive at the old home, where all are glad to assemble, until all the children are present except Henry Messmore, of Veedersburg, making in all about 100 present. At the hour of noon a long table was spread out in the orchard and the contents of a number of baskets were set upon it, of which all partook heartily. The afternoon was then spent in conversation and some comical songs were furnished by William Messmore, who has a noted reputation in that line, until about four o’clock they began to bid each other good bye and depart for their respective homes, feeling that the day had been well spent and hoping that they might all meet next year.
Those that were present were Andrew Messmore, Abigail Messmore, (their children and grandchildren that were present were) Martha Brown of Mellott; Riffe Brown and wife of Mellott: Jasper Brown and wife of Crawfordsville; Braze Brown and wife of Dover, Boone County; C. W. Messmore and son, Daniel of Mellott; Mrs. Mary Stout and daughter, Clara, of Crawfordsville; Mrs. Emma Stout and husband; Lula, Harry and Frank Stout and wife of Crawfordsville; Mrs. Clara Breaks and husband, Harry Breaks; Bert Breaks and wife and two children; Mrs. Etta Groendyke and her two children of Crawfordsville; Wm Messmore, wife and daughter, Pearl; Johnny Messmore and wife; Mrs. Jane Jackson and husband; Minnie, Clifford and Robert Jackson and wife of near Darlington; Mrs. Maggie Cowan and husband, Scott, Walter, and Murl Cowan, of near Elmdale.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 30 September, 1898
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.