CLASS OF 1880

Dr. Charles Carson Messer died at his home in Turners Falls, Mass., May 20, 1920, of gastric ulcers. He. had been in failing health for over a year, following surgical operations.

The son of Phineas and Mary Ann (Bowman) Messer, he was born in Springfield, N. H., December 25, 1853. He graduated from New London Literary and Scientific Institute in 1875.

After obtaining his medical degree he served an appointment in the Brooklyn Hospital for Incurables, and settled in practice at Turners Falls in 1881. He won and held the regard of the people for his ability as a well-read physician and for his genial personal qualities. He was interested in the progress of the town, and took interest in service on the board of health and the school committee, being four years a member of the latter and five years of the former. He was a member of the American Medical Association and of the Franklin District Medical Society. He was a member of the Congregational church.

After he was compelled by failing health to retire from practice, he indulged a hobby for horticulture, mineralogy, geology and allied interests, and made an exhaustive study of them. He read extensively on these subjects and made valuable collections, and his interest in these matters kept him cheerful, so that he fell into none of the moods of the invalid.

November 4, 1903, he was married to Elise M. Steitz of Meriden, Conn., who survives him. There are no children.