The Iberia Sentinel, October 1936 James Garfield Messersmith, son of Hiram and Harriet Messersmith was born near Iberia in Miller County on November 23rd, 1880 and died in St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, October 15, 1936, being at the time of his death fifty-five years, ten months, and twenty-two days old. On May 16, 1909, he was married in the Christian Church at Tuscumbia to Miss Anna Clark. To this union four children were born-Clark, who is in the U.S. Navy; Carl, who is teaching in Linn Creek public school; Martha Elizabeth and Mary Francis. He united with the Christian Church at Tuscumbia early in life and later transferred his membership to the Methodist Church in Linn Creek. He received his education at the Iberia Academy and the University of Missouri. He taught in the public school of Miller County for several years and was principal of the Tuscumbia High School in 1908 and 1909. He was county superintendent of schools of Miller County from 1909 to 1915, being the first person to hold that position in Miller County under the present law. He was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. at Eldon and Fulton for several years. During the construction of the Bagnell Dam he was employed by Stone & Webster, afterward locating at Linn Creek where his family now resides. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother and three sisters, Sarah, Della and Harriet. Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his loss a brother and two sisters, Charles of Tuscumbia, Mrs. D.M. Blanton of Chilhowee and Mrs. E.T. Thompson of Beaumont, California. Also a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the Christian Church at Tuscumbia by the pastor of the Methodist Church of Linn Creek.