William A. Messenger
William A. Messenger, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born March 12, 1827, in Windham Township, this county. His father, William Anson Messenger, was a native of Massachusetts, born December 28, 1794, son of Ebenezer N. Messenger, one of the original owners of Windham Township, where he was drowned October 13, 1828, in a spring on his farm. He, Ebenezer N., had married Miss Campbell, who bore him ten children: Ebenezer O., Nathan H., Polly, Sarah, Susan, Lucinda, William A., Benoni Y., Wells and Marvin. William Anson Messenger came to Windham Township, this county, in 1811, with his parents, in company with several other families. He was thrice married; first, February 24, 1819, to Desire Fowler, who died September 30,1822, leaving one daughter—Phebe F. (Mrs. West). His second marriage. May 31, 1826, was with Edna Prentice, born May 2, 1798, died January 25, 1859. By this union there were four children: William A. (our subject); Edna D., born October 12, 1831 (died in infancy); Edna A., born April 30, 1833, married N. Whitney, of Oberlin, Ohio, and died June 5, 1854; and Adna C, born May 19, 1835, now a resident of Anderson County, Kan. Mr. Messenger married for his third wife, August 31, 1861, Lydia Cadwell, born April 6, 1833, and who is still living. He held nearly all the township ofifices, and was an influential man, a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and for many years was a consistent Christian and attendant at the Sabbath-schools. He died March 27, 1864. The subject of this sketch was married, September 26,1852, to Elizabeth Ann Chaffee, born in Becket, Mass., October 5, 1831, daughter of Newman and Elizabeth (Phelps) Chaffee, natives of Massachusetts, both now deceased. Three children were the fruit of this union: Arthur W., Hattie E., wife of P. B. Higley, and Nettie E., wife of F. B. Jagger. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Messenger enlisted in the 100-days service in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guard. He has always followed farming as an occupation and came to his present place in 1867. Though at one time the Messengers were most numerous in Windham Township there are now but two male representatives of this name in the township— our subject and his son.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885