Christian Messerly (1824)

Christian Messerly Blacksmith born in Switzerland and immigrated with his father Nicholas as a young boy. First Wife, Ester Maria Soving, was born 1830, Switzerland. Her brother Henry Soving (ca1828) is listed as working in the home of Nicholas G. Messerly (1819-1872) as of the 1850 census. She is referred to as "Mariah" in the 1850 Census, and has two children Martha J and Maria. Ester dies in 1851, and both of her daughters die as toddlers. Christian remarries to Lucinda, has 4 children in Ohio then moves his family to Indiana between 1861 and 1864.

Parentage investigation- Christian & Lucinda Messerly of Indiana
(Only question concerns the Christian married to Lucinda- the Basil life is pretty solid)
 * Arguement for
 * Only two candidates for the immigrant to Indiana- Christian 1824 (Basil), a blacksmith and Christian Messerly (c1832) born Switzerland father Samuel Messerly (c1794)
 * Indiana immigrant is listed as a blacksmith age 56 (birth 1824) in 1880 census. His age in the 1870 census is 45 (birth1825). Both list the occupation of blacksmith.  Basil christian was listed as a blacksmith in 1850 census, as 24 (birth 1826).
 * Tentative conclusion: Based on closest age and same occupation, it is more likely that Indiana Blacksmith named Christian is the same Son of Nicholas of Basil Ohio, not the son of Samuel, born Switzerland.

Documentation Notes

 * In 1850 Census, listed under Messerley in Ohio > Fairfield > Basil, Christian age 24 is listed as head of household with occupation "Blacksmith". Samuel is also still at the house. There is a "Martha Messerley" (illegible age) and a "Mariah Messerley" age 19 who is listed as from Switzerland. Christian's sister Maria Messerly died as a child, so it isn't her. Possibly this is the girl who was 10-15 in the 1840 census for the Nicolas household.
 * In the 1870 Census, A "Christan Messerly" is head of household, a blacksmith born ohio, age 45 Indiana > Pulaski > Monroe.
 * Wife Lucinda 35 born ohio, as are Emma 16, Arthur 14, Charles 12, Jennie 9, born in IN are Maude 6, and leora May " 4/12" (4 months?).


 * In the 1860 Census, Samuel age 38 born 1822 ohio appears in Peru, Miami, Indiana- no family. Perhaps Samuel scouted out Indiana, persuading Christian to move.
 * 1870, Samuel Messerley born about abt 1820 - Ohio is in Washington, Miami, Indiana
 * 1870, Lucinda Messerly- Monroe, Pulaski, Indiana
 * In the 1880 Census, Christian Messerley age 56 is in Winamac, Pulaski, Indiana.
 * Lucinda is age 40, Jennie age 18, Maude age 16, Cora age 8 Effey age 6. Mike Cusis age 40
 * In the 1880 Census there is a C.C. Messerly born ohio age 22 as a boarder/tenant in Indiana > Fulton > Rochester > District 41. At this age, could be son Charles.
 * Died at age 61 on 2 Mar 1886 according to Indiana deaths
 * 1870, Lucinda Messerly- Monroe, Pulaski, Indiana age 65 with maude messerly (33), Artha R. Bruce (f) (head)(44YO), Charles O. Bruce (23YO)