Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
HENRY MESSING
 

Senior member of the firm of H. Messing & Son, was born in Hesse Cassel, 
Germany, in 1824; remained in his native country until August 5, 1849, when he, 
together with his wife, came direct to California by the way of Cape Horn, in 
the Bremen schooner Julius, which arrived in San Francisco on April 8, 1850. 
After trying his fortune in Southern mines, he located in Santa Clara County, 
working at different occupations until he accumulated sufficient means to buy a 
tannery in Santa Clara, together with Philip Glein and F. C. Franck, in 1859. He 
sold his interest in the tannery, and located and established the business he 
still continues, first on Market Street. Later he purchased property now 
occupied by his establishment, at Nos. 79 and 81 South First Street. Here he not 
only carries on the harness and saddlery business, but also the carriage trade, 
importing his carriages and buggies direct from Eastern factories. They have 
established a valuable reputation in the saddlery and harness business, and 
supply dealers and individuals throughout the Pacific Coast, and also throughout 
the Territories.

Page 494 Pen Pictures 1888-transcribed by Carolyn Feroben

OBIT for John H. MESSING- Mercury News Jan 21,1902
John Henry Messing who has been a prominent businessman in this city for the 
past fifty years, died at 4;20 this morning at his residence on South Seventh 
Street. He had been an invalid for some time and his final illness was 
occasioned by a severe cold, which developed into pneumonia.

John Henry Messing was born in Hese-Cassel, Germany in 1824. He remained in his 
native county until August 5th, 1849 when he together with his wife came direct 
to California by way of Cape Horn in the Bremen Schooner Julius, which arrived 
in San Francisco on April 8, 1850.

After trying his fortune in the southern mines he located in Santa Clara County 
working at different occupations until he accumulated sufficient funds to buy a 
tannery in Santa Clara, together with Philip Glein and F. C. Franck.

In 1859 he sold his interest in the tannery and located and established the 
harness and saddlers business in his own building adjacent to the City Store on 
Market Street.

In 1879 he removed to 81 South First Street, taking his sons into partnership 
with him, gradually increasing his business until it embraced a line of vehicles 
of all kinds,. Later the business of Hatman & Normandin on West Santa Clara 
Street was purchased and consolidated with that of H. Messing & Son, the firm 
occupying new quarters on West Santa Clara Street, where the business was 
continued without change until shortly before the death of the senior partner.

Mr. Messings life had been remarkable for its application and integrity. No 
taint of suspicion had ever attached to the slightest act of his long business 
career and his honesty has been rewarded by the accumulation of an ample 
fortune. He leaves a wife Mary, and five children, Rudolph Messing, Mrs. F. D. 
Hatman, Louis D. Messing, Fred Messing, and Adolph Messing.

The funeral will be held at the residence, 108 South Seventh Street, Thursday, 
at 2:00 pm under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity.