Thomas Jefferson Messersmith was born in Fayette County, Ind. January 1st 1841, and died April 26, 1923 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. E. Adkisson, aged 82 years, 3 months and 26 days.

While but a small lad his parents moved to Putnam County, Missouri, where he grew to manhood. Here he met and married Miss Angeline Henness, June 3, 1860. To this union thirteen children were born seven daughters, Mrs. Dave Armstong, who died March 28th 1916 at Warrensburg, Missouri, and Mrs. Clyde Thompson, passed away November 7th, 1910 at Farnam, Nebr.

Mrs. and Mrs. Messersmith lived in Putnam County, Missouri seven years, moving from there to Monroe County, Iowa residing there thirteen years, removing from there to Sarpy County, Nebraska, near South Bend. From there they moved to Frontier county taking up a homestead¹ in 1884, and have resided in this vicinity ever since.

Mr. Messersmith was a kind and loving husband and father and was highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his loss, Mrs. G. T. Foster Cambridge Nebr., Mrs. Lon Kelley Wetherford, Okla; Mrs. Edgar Hart, Lincoln, Nebr.; Mrs. Chas. Bary, Stockville, Nebr.; Mrs. William Adkisson, Marion, Harry, Alonso and George of Farnam; Andy of Indianola, Nebr.; and Thomas of Malmo, Minn.

Mrs. Messersmith preceded him to that better land in March 1920. All of the children were present at the funeral except Thomas.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the home of Mrs. William Adkisson and the remains were laid to rest in the Farnam cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved family.

The Farnam Echo ?(25):1 Friday, May 4, 1923

¹Thomas J. Messersmith filed a cash entry on E1/2NE1/4 Sec 28 T7N R26W (80 acres) in Frontier county, Nebaska on April 4, 1890. He proved on a tree culture (Certificate No. 363) on NW Sec 27 T7N R26W (160 acres) in Frontier county, Nebraska on November 16, 1893.