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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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W. W. KESSLER, teacher and liveryman, West Milton; born in Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., in the year 1833; is a son of Samuel S. and Margaret Kessler; his father was born in North Carolina in 1804, and, with his parents, came to Ohio in 1811 and settled in Montgomery Co.; our subject’s great-grandfather was born in Switzerland, and was sold to pay his passage; Joseph M. Kessler, grandfather to W. W., entered land upon his arrival in Ohio, and lived on it until his decease, which occurred when at an advanced age; he was the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom only two are living— Benjamin and Jonathan. In 1836, Samuel, father of W. W., removed to Miami Co., purchased 160 acres of land, and lived upon it till 1849; afterward, he resided in various places in the county, and finally purchased 72 acres just west of West Milton, upon which he lived till his death; they were the parents of four children, two of whom are living— Wm. W. and Fannie (now Mrs. Axtell); the deceased are John and Mary; Mr. Kessler departed this life in the 68th year of his age. W. W.’s early boyhood days were spent on the farm; he attended, every year, the usual three-months’ school; in the intervals between terms he was employed on the farm, on which he remained with his father until he attained his majority, when he began life for himself; he had, while in school, improved his time fitting himself for the duties of a teacher, and in 1856 he entered upon the profession which he has since successfully discharged; in 1878, he stocked a livery barn in West Milton, which contains a number of fine turnouts, and is attended by his son Frank, who knows how to conduct an establishment of this kind. His first marriage was celebrated with Martha Hale in 1857; she was a daughter of Tilly and Mary Hale; to them two children were born— Frank and Clara; Mrs. Kessler died in 1872, aged 34 years. His second marriage was celebrated in 1874 with Sallie D. McCollough, a daughter of Lysander and Eleanor McCollough, who are natives of Baltimore Co., Md.; in 1842, they came to Ohio and settled near the falls of Ludlow, but, on account of the climate, were obliged to return to Maryland, where they now reside; they are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living— Sallie, William, Martha, Maria, Clara, Nellie and Vinton; the deceased, Frank, spent three years in Milton, and while here was in the employ of Isaac Hale; in February, 1878, he went to Iowa, where he died very suddenly, the May following, from cerebro-spinal meningitis; his remains were taken to Maryland for interment; he was 25 years of age, and universally beloved and respected by all who knew him.

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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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