Messer was born on August 23, 1876, in Campbell, New York, the son of Thomas Messer and Martha White.[1]
Messer attended the Painted Post High School in Campbell, after which he studied civil engineering for two years. Until 1920, he largely worked as a farmer on land his family owned for a century. He spent six years teaching in school and two years doing ranch work and prospecting on the Pacific Coast. He then moved to Corning and worked in the automobile business for five years. After that, he entered the real estate business.[1]
Messer was a member of the State Aviation Commission since it was first organized. He was on the Republican County Committee for 25 years. He was a member of the Elks, the Freemasons, and the Rotary Club. He attended the First Baptist Church of Corning. In 1920, he married Maude B. Woodcock of Campbell. They had a daughter, Majorie.[1]
Messer died in Corning Hospital on September 9, 1958.[17] He was buried in Coopers Plains Cemetery.