J.V. Messmore was a Ford dealer in Utica, president and manager of the Utica Cooperative Oil and Gas Company, founder of Messmore Tractor Sales and established an insurance agency. He served six years as President of the Village of Utica and was a member of the council for four years. He also served on the UCS Board of Education from 1945 to 1948 and was the first president of the Utica Rotary Club.