Kessler, William Edward bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 671–672; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William Edward Kessler. Among the biographical sketches and portraits presented to the readers of this volume, is that of Mr. Kessler, a retired farmer residing at No..516 North Main Street, Canton. He is enterprising and well-to-do and from his valuable property derives a handsome income. He is regarded with great respect by all who know him, as a man of solid worth and unswerving integrity. Of sincere religious character, he was formerly connected with the Lutheran Church, but is now an esteemed member of the Baptist Church of Canton. Politically he was at one time a Democrat, but now he and his family are firm Prohibitionists.
In the vicinity of Jefferson, Washington County, Md., Mr. Kessler was born December 2, 1827, and is of German descent. The father, Samuel Kessler, who was born in the same place and was a son of Andrew Kessler, married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of John Stonebreaker, and of German antecedents. She was also a native of Maryland, where she was reared and married, and where both she and her husband died. The latter passed from the scenes of an active life when his son, our subject, was only four years old, and at the age of nineteen, his life was still farther saddened by the death of his mother. They were honorable, upright citizens and were universally esteemed for their many sterling traits of character.
The parental family comprised five children, of whom our subject and a brother, Henry N., a resident of Perry, Iowa, are the only survivors. John and Samuel died after attaining their majority; Mary M. died at the age of eleven years. At the time of the mother’s death, William was engaged in learning the trade of a carpenter. He had received a good common-school education at Clear Springs, Md., but was compelled to leave school at the age of fifteen years and start out in life for himself. Being a conscientious workman, he acquired a thorough knowledge of his trade, and in his early manhood went to Dayton, Ohio, where he found employment at a carpenter. Later he removed to Polo, Ogle County, Ill.
For fifteen years after Mr. Kessler’s arrival I Fulton County, which important event occurred in 87, he carried on his business as a carpenter and builder. At the expiration of that time he located on a farm which he had purchased in Canton Township. Here he continued to reside for the ensuing eighteen years, improving the place and bringing the land to a high state of cultivation. He became well-known throughout the township as a man of sterling enterprise and worthy character, and was one of the prominent farmers of the community. Finally, feeling that the years of his more active labor were ended, he resolved to move into the city of Canton.
Accordingly, after renting his farm, Mr. Kessler moved into his present substantial, well-furnished residence in Canton. By wise economy and excellent management he has acquired wealth, and among other valuable possessions owns several good houses in Canton, whose rental brings him in a goodly sum of money, and he is still the owner of the farm. He was greatly aided by his faithful wife and devoted helpmate, to whom he was united in marriage in . The bride was Miss Ann, daughter of a Mr. McLane, a native of Maryland, in which State she was also born. She possessed a noble character, and was a loving wife and wise mother.
Ten children, were born to our subject and his estimable wife, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Mary L., wife of Thomas Gentle; William deceased; John L. a farmer in Farmington Township; Anna, who became the wife of Mitchell Harper and lives on the old homestead; Eva, at home; Mida, wife of William Myers, of this township; Carrie, who is at present a student in the University at Normal, Ill; and Blanche at home. The two children who died in infancy were named Edward Nelson and Grace. In 1884 death crossed the threshold of this happy home and removed the wife and mother. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and was a woman of many Christian virtues.