11 children - four survivors are shown.

Peter Messinger, father of William P., was born in Forks Township, about six miles from Easton, Pa. and was a miller and baker by occupation. When the Civil War broke out he was one among the first to offer his services in defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, and took part in several engagements. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1865. In politics he was a Republican for a number of years, but now votes the Democratic ticket. Of his eleven children, four still survive, viz.: R. Fredrick, William P., David M. B. and John J. F.