Evening journal., 1918-08-22
VETERAN DENTIST
CALLED BY Death
DR.. John w. Messick of
Georgetown, Former Legis-
lator, Passes Away
OFFERED SERVICES
AT AGE OF 76 YEARS
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
GEORGETOWN, Del, Aug. 22.-Dr.
John w. Messick. aged 76 years. for
more than thirty-six years a practicing
dentist OF this town, prominent Mason.
former member OF the General Assem-
bly, and father OF State Cannery Inspect
or William r. Mcssick, died yesterday
morning in his apartments at Lewes af-
ter an illness OF several months. Sew
eral weeks ago DR.. Messick and his wife
went TO Lewes with the hope that he
might regain his health. For many
years it has been a custom Of his to
spend certain days Of the week at
tending TO his practice which IS in
Lewes, his main office being in his home
here.
Or. Messick was one Of the best
known men i'm lower Delaware and
for years was one Of the most active
Masons I'm this section Of the state.
When The United States went into the
war he volunteered his sdrvices 10
keep flt the teeth OF soldiers and sail
ors. He was a former member OF the
General Assembly and also served as
postmaster here. For years he took an
active part in Republican politics. lie
was The son OF the late George Miller
and Sarah 5. Messick and was born
at NlillsbOrO on December &c, 1872 His
great grandparents were OF French de-
scent and his grandfather. born Novem-
her 4, 1881, was one Of the early set
tiers OF the Eastern Shore. For years
his father, George Miller Messick, who
nf
borO, on February %, 1913, was a chair
maker and farmer.
After attending the rural schools, he
his education at the George
town Academy which long since has
been converted into the Masonic Tenn
pie. In 1857 he obtained employment in |
he woOlen mills at Doe Bridge. near
where ne worked for two !
-ears. being in charge OF the carding /
Machine. Three years later he moved /
% Milford where for two years he /
worked as a carpenter.
In June. 1862. heedlng the call Of /
President Lincoln, he enlisted in the /
fourth Delaware Volunteers, remain
ng in service until June :, 1865. He
OOk part in all engagements Of the
.rmy OF the Potomac from Bethesda
,hurch, June 10. 1861, to the surren-
er OF General Lee at AppOmattOx on
.pril ., 1868. For a time he was act
1g hospital steward. During the last
light months OF his service he was
etailed first musician in the brigade
and. After his discharge from the
rmy he worked at carpentry until
s7i when ne began the study Of den
Istry in the office OF Dr.. Clement at
Xford, Pa. He was graduated from
'ntal College and soon after1vard
pened an Office here, where ne con-
nued 10 live. 4 few years later he
pened branch Office at Lewes.
On December 80, 1865. he married
Iargaret J. Boxer, at Mcchanicsburg,
a.. and b. that union they had three
lildren now living-Dr. William Rod
ey Nlessick, a practitioner at Lewes
nd state cannery inspector: George
dwin Messck, a dentist Of Milford and ,
Irs. Mary X. Wilgus, wife OF Pen ,
)se :. Wilgus OF A1illsboro. For years (.
=. Messick was one OF the active
lembers Of st. Paurs p. z. Church, be- ,
lg a vestryman. Funeral services will
e conducted Friday afternoon, after ,
hich burial will be made With Ma /.
mic rites in the adjoining church !
ard.
lie was a member OF Post. No. IS.
\. r., Mechanicsburg, Pa, Lodge
o. 2ij, ]. o. o. F.; financier Of
Lodge. No. IS, 4. o. L. Z
T.; tyler or Franklin Lodge, No. ~, '
+. and A. NJ. treasurer or Hone | ?
napier, Royal Arch Masons. In 1895 u
e served as Master Of Franklin :
odge Of MasOns and as high priest '
Hope Chapter, No :, r. A. NJ. in p
40. He was one OF the oldest masOns
the country. The remains were Z
ought TO his home here from Lewes. d