The Kesler Family
Fifth Generation in America
Children of David Kesler

15. JONATHAN KESLER⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), son of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born on 22 Feb 1803 in Washington Co., Maryland. He was baptized in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Hagerstown, Washington County. He died on 26 Nov 1876 in Fairfield County and is buried in Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Clear Creek Township. His grave is decorated with a marker indicating he is a veteran but information could not be obtained pertaining to his service.

On 5 Sep 1829 Jonathan married Nancy Kemp in Fairfield County. Nancy, daughter of John and Mary Kemp, was born on 8 Apr 1807 in Virginia. She died on 10 Nov 1894 in Bloom Twp., Fairfield County, and is buried beside her husband in Dutch Hollow Cemetery.

When Jonathan was only a few years old his parents moved to Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he would live the rest of his life. Jonathan's father died when Jonathan was about 16. His Uncle Michael Nigh was appointed his guardian. Little else is known of his early years.

Jonathan and Nancy started their married life farming in Clear Creek Township. In 1830 they were taxed 8 cents for having one cow. By 1850, as shown in the agricultural census for that year, they owned 100 acres of improved land and 60 acres of unimproved land valued at $4000. They owned 5 horses, 5 milk cows, 32 sheep, and 25 swine together valued at $339. The land had produced 150 bushels of wheat, 1000 bushels of corn, 150 bushels of oats and 10 tons of hay. Other products taken from the land that year included peas, beans, sweet potatoes, barley, buckwheat, butter, cheese, fruit, and wine. The sheep provided 100 pounds of wool and they made 300 pounds of butter from their cow's milk.

Between 1850 and 1860 Jonathan moved his family to Bloom Township, Fairfield County. In 1860 at the age of 57 he owned 25 acres of improved land and 5 acres of unimproved land in Bloom Township.

Children: (They had 13 children)

16. MARTIN KESLER⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), son of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born abt 1804. He died in 1828 at Pickaway Co., Ohio.

Martin married Elizabeth GREENO on 23 Mar 1826 at Pickaway Co., Ohio. Elizabeth was the daughter of Jacob and Magdalene GREENO. Martin's father-in-law Jacob sold him 5 acres of land at Washington Twp., Pickaway Co., Ohio, on 13 Dec 1827.

Elizabeth married second Lewis Huff, license dated 7 Mar 1830, at Pickaway Co., Ohio. If this is the Lewis Huff family living at Pickaway Co., Ohio, in 1830 and 1840, then Elizabeth appears to have been born between 1800 and 1810. Lewis was born between 1790 and 1800.

Child: (Martin and Elizabeth (Greeno) Kesler)

i. Harriett 1826/1829-aft 11 Jul 1834.

17. EVE KESLER FASNAUGH⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), daughter of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born on 29 Sep 1807 at Fairfield Co., Ohio. She died on 4 Mar 1885 and is buried at Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Fairfield Co., Ohio.

Eve married Barnhart Fasnaugh on 7 Mar 1826 at Fairfield Co., Ohio. Barnhart, son of Adam and Barbara (Root) Fasnaught, was born on 8 Feb 1800 at Maryland. He died on 21 Jan 1892 and is buried at Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Fairfield Co., Ohio.

Children:

18. MICHAEL KESLER⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), son of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born 5 Jul 1809 in Amanda Twp., Fairfield Co, Ohio. He died at his residence in Scott twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, on 7 Mar 1886. His sickness had confined him to his room for eight weeks and his bed for the last five weeks of his life. His body was laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery, an old pioneer graveyard, in Mahomet twp., also in Champaign County. Picture

Michael was married to Eliza Ann Shoppell in Tarlton, Pickaway Co., Ohio, by Elijah Fields on 13 Oct 1831. Eliza, daughter of Jeremiah and Nancy (Robin) Shoppell, was born in Pickaway County 13 Jan 1816. She died on 3 Jul 1897 in Scott twp, Champaign Co., Illinois. Sometime before her death she had fallen and fractured her leg. Her funeral was held at the Methodist (M.E.) Church in Bondville. The service was conducted by the Rev. Wiley. Among other remembrances flowers were contributed by the W.C.T.U. She was buried beside her husband in Bethel Cemetery.

Michael first appears in the records of Fairfield Co, Ohio, on 1 Mar 1822 when his Uncle Michael Nigh was appointed "the guardian of Michael Kestler, minor son of David." Michael probably spoke German at home and it is likely he did not learn English until he went to school. Even if this is not correct, he probably had a German accent. One of his granddaughters stated he was so "Pennsylvania Dutch he couldn't cry in English."

After their marriage, Michael and Eliza took up residence in Salt Creek Twp., Pickaway Co. This township borders Fairfield County. Michael became involved in both church and civic affairs. In 1846 he was converted to and joined the M.E. Church at Tarlton under the preaching of Father Laws, Michael was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was raised a Master Mason of the Tarlton Lodge #104 on 31 Mar 1855. Sometime in the 1850s Michael moved his family to Fairfield Co., Ohio. He transferred his church membership to the Amanda circuit and his two eldest daughters were married in Fairfield County.

In 1857, perhaps hearing of Illinois from his kinsmen and looking for better opportunity, Michael moved his family by covered wagon to Champaign Co., Illinois. His two eldest daughters who were married remained in Ohio. One Sunday during their trip to Illinois after a heavy rain the Kesler wagon slipped off the road. It was too much of a job for Michael, William his 14 year old son, and Joseph his 11 year old son to get the wagon back on the road. Michael walked down the road to a nearby church. He walked in during the service and made the Mason sign of distress. The male members of the congregation got up, helped Michael right his wagon, and sent him on his way. The Keslers first settled near Mahomet.

Four years after they moved to Illinois the Civil War broke out. Both sons of Michael and Eliza served in the the Union army during the war. William served in Co. D, 3rd Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Joseph joined the army on 8 Aug 1862 in Champaign, Illinois, at the age of 16. He was assigned to Co. H, 125th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His unit went into camp across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, where they began their training. Measles broke out and Joseph caught them. He was put in a hospital in Cincinnati. Before he had completely recovered he was ordered back to his unit, had a relapse, and died at Nashville, Tennessee, on 7 Dec 1862. He is buried in the Nashville National Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee.

It was during the 1860s that the Keslers moved to Scott Twp. They were among the first settlers of that twp. Michael was a farmer and in 1867 he purchased a farm in section 11. During this time he remained active in church and civic affairs. He transferred his church membership by letter from the Ohio conference to the Mahomet circuit. He continued his membership there until the formation of a class in Scott twp. He helped organize this and was an active member of the M.E. Church in Scott twp. until his death. He was also one of the trustees in charge of selling part of section 16 for the Township to raise money for the local schools.

Michael's will is on file in the Champaign Co., IL, Probate Office, Case #1387 ½.

After his death Eliza lived with her daughter Delila Hazen. Eliza was a very quiet person and she would spend most of her time in her room. She would sit in her rocking chair with her bible on her lap smoking her pipe. Her will is on file in the Champaign Co., IL, Probate Office, Case #2246.

Of their five children who died in infancy Mary, Perry, Michael, and George are buried in Salt Creek twp., Pickaway Co., Ohio. Sarah is buried in Mahomet Cemetery in Champaign Co., Illinios.

Children:

18A. MAGDALENA KESLER WURTSBAUGH MINIER⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), daughter of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born about the year 1813 at Ohio. She died on 1 Sep 1863 and is buried at Cosperville Cemetery, Noble Co., Indiana.

Magdalena married David Wurtsbaugh. David Wurtsbaugh, son of Fredrich Wurtsbaugh, was born about the year 1803 at Ohio. He died about 25 Feb 1851 and is buried at Cosperville Cemetery, Noble Co., Indiana.

Magdalena married second William Minier. William Minier was born about the year 1818 at Pennsylvania. He died about the year 1865 at Noble Co., Indiana.

After her father's death, Magdalena's Uncle Peter Nigh was appointed as her guardian.

She and David started their married life in Fairfield Co., Ohio. Sometime between 1840 and 1850 they moved with their family to Noble Co., Indiana. David's tombstone indicates he died on 25 Feb 1850 aged 47 years and 9 months, however he is listed in the 1850 federal census when it was taken on 31 Aug 1850. I have not checked the original stone to see if the date I have is a transcription error. A sale of the personal property of David Wurtsbaugh, deceased was held by his administrator in April 1851. The will of David Wartsbaugh State of Indiana, Noble County, was refiled on 21 Jan 1861, at Book 1, page 60. The original had been destroyed in a Court House fire.

By the mid-1850s Magdalena had married William Minier a neighbor who was a widower. Magdalena's tombstone has her age at death as 53 years. This does not match the 1850 and 1860 federal census records. After Magdalena's death, William Minier married a third time on 23 Mar 1864 to Eleanor Green at Noble Co., Indiana. His will was filed on 6 Jun 1865. He mentioned his wife Eleanor and the children of his first marriage.

Children: (of David and Magdalena (Kesler) Wurtsbaugh)

19. ADAM KESLER⁵ (David⁴, Johann Matthaeus³, Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss), son of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born 15 Jun 1815 at Fairfield Co., Ohio. He died 5 Jun 1894. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Riley, Indiana.

Adam married Sarah Ann Drake on 14 Mar 1839 at Fairfield Co., Ohio. Sarah was born 6 Oct 1817 at Ohio. She died 22 May 1888. She is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Riley, Indiana.

Adam Kesler purchased his farm in Riley Township, Vigo Co., Indiana, in August 1866.

Children:

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