My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL S. MESSINGER, who is numbered among the most influential and prosperous business men of Northampton County, is proprietor of the Empire Agricultural Works of Tatamy, and senior member of the firm of S. S. Messinger & Son, iron founders and manufacturers of agricultural implements and steam engines. Such is the magnitude of the business, and his prominence as a citizen, that a volume of this character would be incomplete were no mention made of his life and work.

Born in Northampton County, June 28,1823, the subject of this biography is a descendant of Swiss ancestors. His great-grandfather, Michael Messinger, emigrated from Europe to America during the eighteenth century, and in 1743 settled in Northampton County, Pa. From the Penn heirs he purchased a tract of land in Palmer Township, upon which he located, becoming the founder of the family in this country. Our subject, the son of George M. Messinger, was reared to maturity upon a farm, which he aided in tilling during the summer, while in the winter seasons he was a pupil in the early subscription schools between the ages of ten and sixteen.

In 1857 Mr. Messinger began the manufacture of plows and plowshares, at the solicitation of David Witner, a molder by trade. The enterprise was conducted under the name of S. S. Messinger until 1861, at which time he took in several gentlemen as partners, the title being then changed to Messinger, Shimer, Werkheiser & Allsfeld. After a short time the works were leased by Henry Bruner, Who conducted the enterprise about one and a-half years. In 1864 Mr. Messinger took in as partner Reuben L. Shimer, under the title of Messinger & Shimer, which continued until 1868, their principal manufacture being the Excelsior Mower and Reaper. Employment was given to about thirty or thirty-five hands.

From 1868 to 1873 Mr. Messinger conducted the business alone, but during the latter year admitted his son, G. Frank, as partner, under the firm style of S. S. Messinger & Son. The senior member in 1876 sold out his interest to his son Charles S., and the name of the concern was S. S. Messinger’s Sons until 1883. Our subject then re-purchased his original interest from his son Charles S., and has since been at the head of the firm of S. S. Messinger & Son.

From a small beginning the concern has increased in magnitude until it is now one of the most important in the county. At the present time there are one hundred and nine persons employed in the seven departments, viz.: the foundry, finishing shop, wood-working machinery department, carpenter and setting-up department, painting shop, blacksmith shop and the plow department. Each department has its foreman, and in the office there are two clerks who attend to the correspondence. In the plow department are manufactured from ten to fifteen thousand plows annually. All the goods manufactured in the plant are of superior finish and quality and find a ready sale. Among the specialties are grain threshers, separators and cleaners, and the modern improved agricultural implements are also manufactured.

Mr. Messinger married Miss Sabina, daughter of Edward B. Shimer, of Forks Township, Northampton County, and four children have been born unto them, namely: James E., G. Frank, Charles S., and Hannah C., wife of William Stauffer. Politically our subject is a Republican, and, while not partisan in his opinions, is one of the most prominent men of his party in his locality. He has served as Burgess of Tatamy since it was made a borough, in 1893. At present he is a Director and Treasurer of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, and has held the former position since the organization of the company, in 1865, in which he was a prominent factor. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Easton, and is also identified with the Knights of Malta at Tatamy.

G. Frank Messinger, General Superintendent of the plant, was born in Northampton County, Pa., November 28, 1848, and received a common-school education in Palmer Township. He learned the trade of a molder, though he has never followed it. When only nine years old he began working in the plant, and since then has gained a thorough knowledge of every branch of the work. The splendid improvements now visible in the plant have been largely planned and executed through his energy and inventive skill. In addition to this enterprise, he is also proprietor of the Belfast Hard-Vein Slate Quarry, at Belfast, Pa., one of the oldest quarries in the slate region of Northampton County. The slate manufactured is perhaps the best produced in the hard-vein region, and is used for roofing slate, flagging, posts, steps and grave covers. Among its good qualities are the facts that it does not change in color, absorb moisture, fade, rust, or decompose in any manner.

The marriage of G. Frank Messinger united him with Miss Clara, daughter of William Reinheimer, of Palmer Township, Northampton County. They are the parents of four living children: George, Lizzie, Carrie and Rosa. In politics a Republican, he is now President of the Borough Council at Tatamy, and is prominent in civic affairs. Socially he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Easton, the Knights of Malta at Tatamy, and the Senior Order United American Mechanics of this place.