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Descendents of William Messer (4 Dec 1799 – 21 Sep 1874)
and Alice (or Alison) Brown (~1795 – 19 Sep 1877)

Third Immigrant Generation
**************************************************
Entry last updated 2 June 2009
Please contact Tim Patterson (tim.patterson@carleton.ca)
to provide additional data, or to correct any errors

30. Walter Atkins Messer. Son of Walter Messer & Isabella Speedy. Born 25 Dec 1879 in Harvey. Christen in Harvey Presbyterian Church. Died 24 Jun 1959 in Portland, Maine. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth, Maine.

 

    Walter must have moved to Portland, Maine when he was about 20 years old.   Newspaper articles indicate that he established his shop in 1899.   It was located on Milk Street and was a one-man blacksmith and shipsmithing shop.   In the early 1900s, the Messer firm concentrated on the manufacture of wagons, wheels, sleighs and iron work for boats.   However, with the advent of motor vehicles, the company switches emphasis to the manufacture of open-sided truck bodies, furniture vans and general van body equipment.   In 1947, the company moved to Anderson Street and expanded its service from the manufacture of custom-designed truck bodies to include trailer maintenance and repair.   The company is still in existence and carries the Messer name.

 

  It was taken over by Jack Messer at Walter's death.   He moved it to its present location on Warren Ave., Westbrook, Me.   It is currently being run by his son John Messer.   (Note by Stella Messer, in her book on the Messer family, November 1995.)

 

    He first married Ida Jane Carroll, 3 Jul 1897. Born 1 Apr 1874. Died 24 Feb 1915 in Maple Crest Sant, Parsonfield, Maine. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth, Maine.

 

    They had the following children:

  127   i.   Carroll Lambert Messer

  128   ii.   Louise Messer

  129   iii.   Marjorie Messer (Twin)

  130   iv.   Marguerite Messer (Twin)

    He second married Minnie Feltmate, Jun 1916. Born 3 Jan 1877. Died 13 Jan 1959.

 

     Minnie had a daughter by previous marriage to Mr Snow:   Gertrude Snow.   Gertrude married Sterling George and had six children--three boys and three girls.

 

    They had the following children:

  131   i.   John Franklin Messer

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