Jacob Messner came to Barnes County with his parents, Christ and Christina Messner. His father was born in 1936 and his mother in 1938.

Jacob had two sisters and three brothers. The sisters were Rose, who married Joseph Starke and Lillian who married Joseph's brother, Anton. The brothers were:` Jacob, who farmed at Oriska; Christ and John, both of whom migrated to Montana.

Christina Messner passed away in 1892 and Jacob then married Eda Paeton. To this union were born four boys and one girl, namely: William (deceased), Robert (deceased), Jake and Floyd. June, the daughter, is married.

Jacob Messner served on the local school board and also the township board. He passed away in 1903.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 155