Obit: Messer, Ernest L. #3 (1867 - 1948)

Contact: Linda Ewen

Surnames: Messer, Smith, Olson, Langjahr, Gatchell, Vandercook, Dietel, Evenson, Loughead, Evers, Langdon

----Source: Spencer Record, Spencer, Wis.) 04/08/1948

Messer, Ernest L. (17 JUN 1867 - 1948)


Ernest L. Messer Laid To Rest

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon for Ernest L. Messer, 80, at 1:30 at his home and at 2:00 o’clock at the Methodist Church. Rev. Frederick J. Smith and Rev. J. A. Olson, officiating. The choir sang, “The Old Rugged Cross”, and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Domer sang, “Till The Morning.” Mrs. Elmer Langjahr was accompanist. Burial took place in the Colby Cemetery.

Ernest L. Messer, 80, son of Cyrus and Livonia Messer was born June 17, 1867, at Lincoln, Maine. In June 1871 he and his mother, sister Flora and brother Ansel came west to Black River Falls where they lived with his grandfather, A. C. Gatchell, before moving to Spencer in the fall of 1885. Here he received his education and worked in the saw mill before learning to printers trade from Gilbert E. Vandercook, then worked in several printing offices in Wisconsin and the Western states. He was married to Anna Pauline Dietel, October 15, 1895 at Marshfield. They lived at Phillips and Prairie du Chein where he was editor of papers. In 1908 he bought the Marathon County Register and in August 1910 the family moved to Unity. He became Postmaster in November 1910, a position he held until 1935, when he was retired. He was village treasurer form 1937 to 1945. He was reporter for the Marathon County Register (which he had sold in 1920), Milwaukee Journal, and Wausau Record Herald until 1944.

He was a member of the Masonic and Modern Woodmen Lodges and President of the church choir. He was director of the choir for fifteen years.

The survivors are three daughters and three sons: Mrs. Martin (Myra) Evenson, Mrs. Thomas (Gladys) Loughead, Unity, Mrs. Milion (Kathryn) Evers, Menomenee Falls; Lloyd L. Messer, Benton Harbor, Mich.; Alvah E. Messer, Spencer; and Ansel E. Messer, Unity. One sister, Mrs. Flora Langdon, Rhinelander, 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Two brothers, Clarence and Ansel Messer, preceded him in death and his wife passed away March 28, 1920.

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