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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ISRAEL KESSLER, farmer; P. O. Troy; born in North Carolina in the year 1808; is a son of John B. and Susanna Kessler; his father was probably born in Virginia, his mother in the State of North Carolina. His grandfather Joseph K. moved from Virginia to North Carolina, thence to this State, and settled in Montgomery Co. John B., with his family, came at the same time, but remained in the above county only a short time, then removed to this county and located on the extreme west side of Monroe Township, where he lived for a number of years, then moved to Troy, in which he lived till his decease, which occurred in September, 1867, aged nearly fourscore years; his mother departed this life in 1850, aged 63 years; to them ten children were born, five of whom are living, viz., Israel, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Susan and Rachel; the deceased are Mary, Henry, Catherine, Anna and Samuel. Our subject was only 3 years of age at the time of his father’s removal to Ohio, and, as a matter of fact, young Israel had his full share of the hardships of pioneer life to endure. Indians were plenty but peaceable, and gave the settlers no trouble. He remained with his parents on the farm, assisting them in cultivating it, till he was 22 years of age. On Dec. 2, 1830, he was married to Ruth Jenkins, by whom he had four children, one living, viz., John Q.; the deceased are David J., James H. and Ruth. Mrs. Kessler departed this life in 1837, aged about 24 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Margaret E. Adams, July 24, 1838; to them one child was born, viz., Sarah H., deceased. Mrs. K. died Sept. 7, 1844, aged 34 years. His third marriage was celebrated with Eleanor Murry June 24, 1845, by whom he had one child, viz., Mary A. Mrs. K. died April 1, 1867, aged about 60 years. His fourth and last marriage was celebrated with Anna M. (Smith) Hart March 17, 1870; By her union with Wilson C. Hart, March 15, 1849, she had four children, one of whom is living, viz., Charles L.; the deceased are Howard, Augusta and Mary. Mrs. K. is a daughter of Lester and Electa Smith, who were born in Connecticut, emigrated to and settled in Montgomery Co., Ohio, from which they removed to Troy, where Mr. S. died. Mrs. K. was born Jan. 29, 1827. In 1870, Mr. K. came to the place on which he now resides; he owns 90 acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation and well improved. He and his amiable wife are members of the Christian Church, with which they have been connected about eight years. Both were formerly members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a Ruling Elder for thirty years. They are every-day Christian people, and take a lively interest in the cause of religion. His paternal great-grandfather, with his brother, emigrated from Germany, and upon their arrival in Philadelphia were sold to Pennsylvania planters to pay their passage, and as Joseph was young, he had to serve three years longer than common, on account of his inability to do manual labor. His maternal great-grandfather, Fess, was also born in Germany, and the probability is that he was to pay his passage. Jacob Fess, grandfather to our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Grandfather Kessler was robbed of all his property by the British soldiers.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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