Harry Messersmith, who has been an invalid and confined to his home since suffering a stroke about eight years ago, was taken considerably worse last Thursday and was taken by ambulance to a Gothenburg hosptital and his children residing elsewhere were called. He failed to rally from the attack and died Saturday evening.

Timothy Harry Messersmith, son of Thomas J. and Angeline Messersmith was born December 11, 1871, near Ottumwa, Iowa. The family moved to eastern Nebraska when he was seven or eight years of age. In about 1888 they homesteaded in Frontier county about eight miles east of Stockville.

In 1896 he was united in marriage to Mary R. Johnson. They lived on farms near the old family homestead until 1929 when they moved to a farm a short distance east of Farnam. He passed away in the hospital in Gothenburg Saturday, February 19, 1955.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Emery, Midland, Texas, Orvis of Farnam, Lauren, Lake Villa, Illinois, and Josie, Woodbine, Iowa; two sisters: Mrs. Armanda Kelly, Weatherford, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Lucy Adkisson of Farnam, three brothers: Lonnie, Stockville, George, Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Andrew, North Platte; four grandsons, three great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Two brothers, Marion and Thomas, and five sisters, Orpha, Emma, Catherine, Mary and Christina, preceded him in death.

Harry loved his home and was always happiest when his family could all be together. His cheery disposition will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held February 22 at the Farnam Methodist Church, Rev. Hart officiating. Music was furnished by Robert Zeeh and Mrs. Raymond Smith. Pallbearers, all nephews of Harry, were Lloyd, Lynn, Herbert and Jake Messersmith, Edgar Foster, and Eldon Thompson.

The Farnam Press, 15(22):1 Thursday, Febr. 24, 1955