The Messinger Manufacturing Co. was located in Tatamy, Pennsylvania and was founded by Samuel S. Messinger in 1857. In Feburary, 1912 the business was incorporated using the same title with a capital stock of $100,000. Samuel was proprietor of the Empire Agricultural Co. of Tatamy, Pennsylvania, and a Senior member of the firm of S.S. Messinger & Sons, iron founders, and manufacturers of agricultural implements and engines.
The Messinger Manufacturing Co. was known to have manufactured the following: undershot grain thresher, overshot thresher, cleaner run by one-horse tread power, Empire iron frame level power, cross-cut saw with swinging table, Gem pole saw, the Empire portable steam engine, about three steam traction engines, gasoline engines, power corn sheller, Empire feed and ensilage cutter, and other farm machines.
In later years this company was either a manufacturer or re-labeler of woodworking equipment such as bandsaws. A 14" bandsaw labeled "The Electric Carpenter" carries this maker's name but appears identical to 14" bandsaws made by Heston & Anderson. One possibility is that Messinger purchased the patterns of an older design from Heston & Anderson. There are some minor differences in the base castings that may support this hypothesis.
Information Sources:
- Norbeck, Jack, Encyclopedia of American Steam Traction Engines, Crestline Publishing Inc, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, pg. 173