� Joined
Independent Company D of the 1863 Militia from
July 18th to August 8th
� Mustered in at Harrisburg,
Pa. on February 29, 1864 as a Private in Co. H,
22nd PA Cavalry, at the age of
18
� Fought during Sheridan�s
Shenandoah Campaign, Battles of Opequan
(Winchester), Fisher�s Hill, Cedar Creek, &
numerous skirmishes
� Was honorably discharged
on October 31, 1865 at Cumberland, Md.
� Born on
December 20, 1845 in East Providence Twp, Bedford
County
� Son of veteran Alexander
Messersmith
� Occupation: Farmer
� His wife Jemima Hanks was
Abraham Lincoln�s first cousin
� Died December 20, 1929
� Buried in Shreves Chapel
Cemetery, Monroe Township, Bedford County,
PA
