BIO:  MESSICK, Michael N., s/o Michael N. & Laurinda (Ramsey) Messick

Submitted by: Diana Flynn <ivie@tima.com>

MESSICK   RAMSEY   JOHNSON   WEBB   SIMPSON   DAVIS   

"HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA"  BY GOODSPEED
BROS. 1884.
 
MICHAEL N. MESSICK, one of the oldest business men of Bedford, Shawswick
Township, Lawrence County, Indiana, was born March 6, 1830 in Orleans,
Orange County, Indiana, one of six children born to MICHAEL N. and LAURINDA
(RAMSEY) MESSICK, who were among the earliest settlers of Orange County,
Indiana, from KENTUCKY.  M. N. Messick, JR., came to Bedford in 1838 with
his mother, who was a widow with six children.  He received a common school
education in the schools of that early day, and at the age of twelve years
began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Bedford Star, which
he followed for three years, and at the end of this time began work on the
Louisville Democrat.  From there he went to Paoli, Orange County, where he
learned the cabinet trade, and remained three years;  then located at Point
Commerce in Greene County, Indiana where he did a general furniture trade
for eighteen months, and then returned to Paoli.  May 18, 1852, he married
to SARAH J. JOHNSON, and by her is the father of five children, only two now
living:  ELIZABTH C. and CARRIE V. (WEBB).  In 1852 Mr. Messick began
working at his trade in Bedford;  then clerked for a time, and in Decemer,
1856, in partnership with WILLIAM DUNCAN and Dr. J.W. NEWLAND, embarked in
the hardware trade.  From 1856 to December, 1873, he was actively engaged in
this business in Bedford with different partners, but since that time he has
been alone, and is now the leading merchant of hardware in the place.  He is
one of the self-made men of the place, beginning life poor, and by diligence
and industry acquiring a comfortable income.  April 24, 1867, his wife died,
and for a second wife he married Mrs. SARAH J. (DAVIS) SIMPSON on the 2d of
June, 1868.  To this union has been born four children, named:  SALLY,
LAURINDA, MARY and MICHAEL H.  Mr. Messick was President of the first Board
of Trustees of Bedford;  is a Republican, a member of the F. & A.M., and he
and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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