Tri-State Genealogical Society

09/03/2026

07/08/2026

Have a wonderfully safe holiday weekend :)

07/02/2026

On this day in 1852, John W. Messick was born in Madison, Indiana. In 1861, he became one of the youngest people to serve in the Civil War when he enlisted at the age of 9 years and 2 months old. 100,000 children younger than 16 enlisted in to serve the Union. Of these, 25 were under the age of 11.

Messick served three years as a drummer before being honorably discharged when he was 12 years old. He died on July 4, 1892 just days after his 40th birthday. He is buried in Evansville's Oak Hill Cemetery.