John Messinger, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetJohn Messinger
American pioneer, politician, teacher, and surveyor
Date of Birth: 04-Jan-1771
Place of Birth: West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States
Date of Death: 16-Sep-1846
Profession: politician
Nationality: United States
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn 
About John Messinger
- John Messinger (January 4, 1771 – September 16, 1846) was an American pioneer, politician, teacher, and surveyor who was the first Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
- Born in Massachusetts, Messinger was educated in Vermont and married the daughter of Matthew Lyon.
- He left with Lyon to Kentucky, but disagreed with his stance on slavery and came to the Indiana Territory in 1802.
- He served in the Indiana Territorial Legislature and advocated for the creation of the Illinois Territory.
- When the state of Illinois was created in 1818, he co-authored its constitution and served in its first General Assembly as Speaker of the House.
- Messinger was also a prominent surveyor, establishing what is now the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin on behalf of the U.S.
- government.
Read more at Wikipedia