John Messinger (January 4, 1771 – September 16, 1846) was an American pioneer, politician, teacher, and surveyor who was the firstSpeaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Born inMassachusetts, Messinger was educated inVermont and married the daughter ofMatthew Lyon. He left with Lyon toKentucky, but disagreed with his stance on slavery and came to theIndiana Territory in 1802. He served in the Indiana Territorial Legislature and advocated for the creation of theIllinois Territory. When the state ofIllinois was created in 1818, he co-authored its constitution and served in itsfirst General Assembly as Speaker of the House. Messinger was also a prominent surveyor, establishing what is now the state line between Illinois andWisconsin on behalf of the U.S. government.[1]
John Messinger was born inWest Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1771. In 1783, his family moved toVermont. There, Messinger attained an education and showed skill with mathematics. He held a number of jobs in Vermont including carpenter, builder, teacher, mill-wright, and farmer. He married Anne Lyon, a daughter of Col.Matthew Lyon, a member of theUnited States House of Representatives. At the time, Lyon was being persecuted via theAlien and Sedition Acts so he decided to move, with Messinger, toKentucky near the mouth of theCumberland River. Lyon became a prosperous slave trader, but this irked anti-slavery Messinger and his brother-in-lawGeorge Cadwell. Cadwell and Messenger moved to theIndiana Territory in 1802, settling nearNew Design in what is nowMonroe County, Illinois.[1]
Messinger operated a gristmill onRockhouse Creek. He moved toClinton Hill in 1806, where he lived for the rest of his life. Messinger's education was appreciated by his fellow pioneers, particularly for his surveying skills. Aside from the mill, Messinger worked as a teacher,cartographer, carpenter, cabinetmarker, and farmer. He surveyed most ofSt. Clair andMadison Counties. He was also commissioned to survey the military land between theIllinois andMississippi Rivers. With Philip Creamer, Messinger opened a shop manufacturing surveyors' compasses.[1]
Messinger served in the Indiana Territorial legislature in 1808 and advocated for the creation of theIllinois Territory. He was named postmaster of Clinton Hill the next year. Messinger was considered a leading citizen ofIllinois when the state was organized in 1818. He represented Illinois when thestate line with theTerritory of Michigan was formed, now the state line withWisconsin.[1][2] He was appointed a delegate to the first constitutional convention, making him a co-author of theConstitution of Illinois. He was then elected to theIllinois House of Representatives for the1st Illinois General Assembly, where he also served as the firstSpeaker of the House. The two-year term was the last political office he held.[1][2]
He publishedA Manual or Handbook of Practical Surveying in 1821. Messinger became a mathematics teacher atJohn Mason Peck'sRock Springseminary in 1827. He fought in theBlack Hawk War.
Messinger died on September 16, 1846.[1] He was buried in Messinger Cemetery inSwansea, Illinois.
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