My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. KESSLER, farmer; P. O. West Milton; was born in this township in the year 1836; and his father, Henry, was born in this county in 1811; his mother, Sarene, was born in the State of Virginia in the year 1815; they were married in 1835, and were parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz., John W., David A., Mary A., now Mrs. Buffington; Susan E., now Mrs. Pearson; Thomas J., Michael N., Martin S., Rebecca E., now Mrs. Eishart; and Chas. W.; the deceased are James D. and two infants; his father lived a long and eventful life within a mile of his birthplace, his departure from life occurring Jan. 12, 1878; his grandparents, both on the maternal and paternal sides, came to Ohio in a very early day; Grandfather John Kessler entered, upon his arrival here, about 1,000 acres of land, and soon after returned to his native South, but the love of freedom and the productive soil of Ohio influenced his return to this county, in which he lived till his decease, which occurred in September, 1866; he was a very liberal man, and his vast wealth was generously lavished on worthy institutions, giving to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Troy about $40,000, and to the Delaware College about $15,000, besides giving his children good homes and money; he was one of the first Justices in the township, and a very prominent man. On March 31, 1858, our subject was married to Harriet Puterbaugh; to them nine children have been born, six of whom are living, viz., Dora M., Sarah A., George P., Henry C., Charley L. and Ira O.; the deceased are Owen E., aged 19 years; Lulu M., aged 3 months; and Anna M., aged 2 years. After his marriage, he settled on 82 acres, where he has since resided; he is no political aspirant, but has held some of the offices of the township; he is a member of the Christian Church, with which he has been connected sixteen years, and an exemplary Christian gentleman, taking a lively interest.in the church, and a zealous worker in the cause; Mrs. K. is a daughter of George Puterbaugh, of Darke Co.