Messler, George bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 692–693; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
George Messler, for several years a conductor on the Narrow Gauge Railroad between Havana and Galesburg, is now numbered among the residents of Cuba. He was born here November 15, 1856, and received a common-school education, early abandoning the pursuit of knowledge in school to undertake his personal support and advancement. His first occupation was at farm work, but he subsequently became a practical druggist. He finally embarked in railroad work, following it for nine years, but at this writing he is not actively engaged in any business.
Benjamin W. Messler, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland in 1808, and died in Cuba January 26, 1871. His occupation was that of a farmer. He married Mary E. Cline, a native of Rockingham County, Va., who was born in 1820. The marriage was solemnized in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1837, and the couple made their home there until 1842. They then removed to this county, and Mrs. Messler still makes her home in Cuba. The parental family consists of six children, the subject of this notice being the youngest, Hannah, the first-born, lives south of Cuba; she is the widow of William H. Heller and has three children. Elizabeth, widow of Henry Heffner, has six children and her home is in Beardstown. John C. married Almira Holmes, who has borne him four children; their home is in Saline County, Neb. William G., who married Louisa Wright, lives in Chatsworth and has three children. Frank makes his home in Farmington; he married Sarah McLean and has two children.
On March 20, 1888, Mr. Messler was united in marriage with Miss Louie M. Chapman. This lady was born at Macomb, McDonough County, March 8, 1858, and acquired a good education in the public schools. She remained at her birthplace until 1880, when she came to Cuba, where she continued to reside until three years after her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Messler then removed to Havana, but after sojourning there five years returned to their former home, with whose interest they have been identified up to the present day. They have had two children, one of whom died in infancy. The lad who now brightens their home by the untiring activity of childhood bears the name of Lloyd, and was born March 18, 1886. Mrs. Messler belongs to the Christian Church and has been an active worker in the Sunday-school, where her energy of character and devotion to the cause have made themselves felt. Mr. Messler is a member of the Order of Railroad Conductors. Outside of the enjoyments of his home life he finds his greatest pleasure in hunting and fishing, for which sports he has a decided liking, and in which he manifests great skill.
The parents of Mrs. Messler were Corydon C. and Margaret Marietta (Clarke) Chapman. Mr. Chapman was born in Ohio in 1834 and is one of eight children comprising the family of Jacob Kimble and Julia (Griffith) Chapman. He was descended from one Benjamin Chapman, who lived in England, and whose three sons, leaving their parental home, went to different countries in Europe. One located in France, one in Ireland and one in Scotland. At the death of their father a large fortune was left to the three sons, but before the eldest could return from France the estate had been confiscated by the English Government. The sons finally came to the United States, he who is the progenitor of our subject locating near Salem, Mass., where he resided during the period of the witchcraft and persecution.
Corydon C. Chapman came to Macomb, Ill., in 1853, and there made his home for a number of years. He was a carriage and wagon-maker by trade, an excellent workman in that line, and a natural genius in the use of tools and all manner of handicraft. For some years he lived in Chicago, where his widow now makes her home. He died at Mendon, Mich., November 15, 1888. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a Republican. Mrs. Chapman was born in Macomb, Ill., October 17, 1839. In her youth she was one of the chief ornaments of the society of Macomb, as she was blessed with good looks, intelligence and winning ways; and she is still very attractive in appearance and manner. She is a faithful member of the Christian church.
Mrs. Messler is the oldest of the children now living. Annie makes her home in Chicago; John married Annie Rouse and lives in Macomb; Lizzie is the wife of Elmer F. Rinear, living in Chicago; Fred and Harry are also in Chicago with their mother.