Philip and Nancy Mesner family. Philip and Nancy Emry Mesner joined Central City Friends Meeting in 1904, three years before they actually moved here in 1907. At the time they were living southeast of Hastings and had moved to the area so their older children could attend the college. Nancy Mesner's parents, Amanda and David Emry had already moved into the community. Since that time, the Mesner family has been an active and vital part of the Meeting. Nancy Mesner was a moving force in the Meeting. For many years she was Clerk of Ministry and Counsel, spending many hours on behalf of the Meeting. She did not like to miss Meeting for Worship, and in letters to her children who lived away, to whom she wrote on Sunday afternoons, she would often discuss the scripture, text and meaning of the sermon. There's a story about her in her later years, when she was dependent upon family to take her to church. The children who were supposed to pick her up were late. She tired of waiting and started off walking to town (a good mile). When the belated family caught up with her, she was at least half way, walking along the railroad tracks, on a cold winter day!
  
   Philip and Nancy Mesner had twelve children, all of whom were active in the life of the Meeting. They were Charles, Gilbert, Julia, Francis (Frank), John, Hugh, Oriella, Raymond, Bessie, Belle, Ralph and Angie. Charles became a Friends Pastor, and lived in the east most of his years. Gilbert and Raymond both served as Presiding Clerk. John was the Treasurer for many years. Belle married Marion Marsh and they were active in Fairview Methodist. Raymond married Erma Marsh and they remained active in the Friends Meeting. Bessie married Ray Barnes and their family transferred in and out of the Meeting several times before they ultimately located in Idaho. The others also moved away.
   
  Today, grandchildren and great grandchildren are still active in the Meeting, carrying on the legacy of their grandparents.
Prepared by Neil and Kay Mesner - From a History of Merrick County.