Samuel Messenger, the grandfather of Frank M. Messenger, married Lavina Blake, of Wrentham, Massachusetts. Their children were five sons and five daughters, of whom Silas was born in Stoddard, New Hampshire, and during his active life was both a farmer and a house carpenter in his native place. He married Arvilla, daughter of Isaac Copeland, of the same town. Their children were: Mary, Alma, Erskine, Addison, Edson Winslow, Henry E., George B., Alice C., Frank M. and Helen A., of whom three are deceased-Addison, whose death occurred while a soldier in the late war; George B., who died in childhood, and Helen A., at the age of nine years.
Frank M. Messenger was born on the 3d of April, 1852, in Stoddard, New Hampshire, where, until the age of fourteen, he remained upon his father’s farm, meanwhile attending the neighboring school for two terms each year. Removing with his parents to Munsonville, New Hampshire, he sought employment in a chair factory, and there continued until,. the age of sixteen, meanwhile pursuing his studies during intervals of leisure. He next found employment in a cotton factory, and later spent a year as clerk in Norway, Maine. After a period of work in the chair factory a second time, he at nineteen accepted an engagement as card grinder in a cotton factory at Winchendon, Massachusetts, and was soon promoted to second overseer in the same department. Mr. Messenger next removed to Manchester, New Hampshire, in the employ of the Amoskeag Company, and on leaving the latter place returned to Munsonville in the capacity of overseer. He then located successively in Shirley, Waltham and Newton, all in Massachusetts, as overseer, and finally settled in Manchaug, in the same state, remaining four years, and receiving promotion while there to the position of overseer of the carding and spinning departments. He at the expiration of this time returned to Shirley as superintendent of the Phoenix & Fredonia Mills. Mr. Messenger, in November, 1884, accepted the position of superintendent of the Grosvenor Dale Mills, and in January, 1887, was made agent of all the mills owned by the Grosvenor Dale Company, which responsible position he now fills. These mills, under his successful management, have been enlarged, and the increase in their capacity may be fully estimated at twenty-five per cent. A more detailed description of the industry will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Messenger is in politics a staunch republican, and while actively interested in affairs connected with both state and county, has declined all tenders of office. He is one of the board of directors of the Thompson National Bank. He is connected with Fredonia Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Baptist church of Manchaug, Massachusetts, having been for three years superintendent of its Sunday school. Mr. Messenger was married February 3d, 1874, to Eliza J., daughter of John and Sarah Smith, of Winchendon, -Massachusetts, who died the following year. He was again married May 13th, 1879, to Mary A., daughter of John and Mary Young. of Newton, Massachusetts. Their children are Frank I., Mabel W. and Don E.