John Cessna (1817 - 1893)

Born 14 Mar 1817 in Friend's Cove, Colerain Township, Bedford, Pennsylvania, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Martin) Cessna — married about 1839 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA

Husband of Abigail Jane (Kessler) Cessna — married 20 May 1861 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, USA

Descendants

Died 24 Nov 1893 at age 76 in Horton, Banks Township, Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Diana Sutor [send private message]

This profile is part of the Cessna Name Study.

Biography

From: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Charles Hall Cessna by Diana Sutor Greenwood^[1] 2.JOHN5 CESSNA (CHARLES HALL4, JOHN3, JOHN2, JEAN1DE CESSNA) was born 14 Mar 1817 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania5, and died 24 Nov 1893 in Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania6.
He married (1) SARAH CATHERINE MARTIN Abt. 1838 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
She was born 1821 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and died 1857 in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
He married (2) ABIGAIL JANE KESSLER 1861 in Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, daughter of CHRISTOPHER KESSLER and MARY.
She was born 30 Aug 1833 in Blairsville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and died 05 Jul 1896 in Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

Notes for John Cessna:
1.The following newspapers document John Cessna's activity as a Democrat in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
^[2]The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania)1869 > May > 20
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1870 > June > 23
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1873 > May > 29
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1877 > September > 13
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1878 > March > 14
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1883 > June > 7
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1884 > May > 29

Democratic Convention:
Citizens attached to the Deomcratic party in Indiana County are requested to meet at their ususal places for holding Delegate Elections. .... The following genteman, members of the county committee are authorized to hold said elections: .... John Cessna----Banks Township, Horton.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1880 > August > 5 Town Jottings----- Uncle John Cessna, of Banks twp., called to see us last Tuesday last. He is an old fashioned Bedford County Democrat.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1881 > June > 9
Town Jottings-----Uncle John Cessna, of Banks twp. was present at the Democrat Convention, a stalwart Democrat.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1882 > November > 9
Town Jottings------Uncle John Cessna, of Banks township., was in town Thursday as "happy as a big sun-flower."
.The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) > 1871 > December > 21
A Native Production
Our attention has been called to the wonderful production of Sienna, or Mineral Paint, found in large quanitites on the farm of our friend John Cessna, in Banks township, this county.This paint oozes from a bank of rocks, on Straight run, and is deposited in large quantities in a dam.It has been pronounce by competent judges a superior article, really better than the Sienna imported from France and Italy, for the reason that it is entirely without grit.According to definitions, it is a silicate of iron, and is also called terra sienna.It is estimated that the deposit is inexhaustible, hundreds of thousands of tons being exposed, and this is increased every day by the quantities which flow from the rocks.
A company has been organized and extensive works are being erected to prepare the Sienna for market.Several barrels have been shipped this week and as fast as it can be dried in the kinl built for that purpose, and ground so as tofit it for use, it will be shipped from this point.A number of gentleman are interested in this production of nature, among them oru young friend Gustavus D Braun, of Pittsburgh.We hope and believe that the company will yet make a fortune out of it.
We may add that some of the best and most practical painters in our country have pronouced this mineral production the best article of the kind they have ever used.After it is introduced more largely we shall endeavero to give the results. We may mention that it is produced in several colors and where it has been used, age only adds to its lustre.It is fadeless, the elements having no effect upon.At least it is so represented to us.
4.The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania) 30 September 1896, page 3, column 6.
Court News:
A decree was granted for the specific performance of a contract between Lizzie McCall and her father, John Cessna, now deceased, for two acres of land in Banks township.
5.Page 1529 Stewarts History of Indiana Co PA 1913^[3]
John Cessna, son of Charles and Katherine Smouse Cessna, was born at Blairsville, and was only 5 when he lost his father. After he gained his maturity, he moved to Jefferson Co, and there engaged in lumbering, and later went to Clearfield County where he continued his lumbering operations until 1866., when he settled near Smithport, in Banks Twp, Indiana Co PA. There he ran a small sawmill and dealt in lumber the remainder of his life, also farming. He passed away in 1893, He was a Democrat politically, while in his religious faith, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
6.Note place of birth for John must have been in Bedford County, Pennsylvania as his father is residing in Bedford for the 1820 census record.It is not known when exactly Charles Hall moved to Indiana county, further research needs to be conducted to determine that.
7.Indiana Democrat, Indiana, Pennsylvania 17 Sep 1891
John Cessna, one of the solid Democrats of Banks twp., and his grandson J. Blair Cessna, son of Wm. Cessna, left Tuesday morning for El Reno, Indiana Territory, in Oklahoma.The young man will locate there and Mr. Cessna will return home in a few weeks.

8.Letter About Family of John Cessna:
DESCENDANTS OF CHARLES HALL CESSNA IV, A SON OF MAJ. JOHN CESSNA
Mr Howard Cessna, Attorney At Law, Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Dear Cousin:This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th, instant, with reference to your history of the Cessna family.
Following is the family of John Cessna, a son of Charles Cessna IV.John Cessna was born March 14, 1817 and died Nov. 21, 1893.His first wife was Sarah Nartin*.Nine children as follows: Katura, dead; George, dead; Annie, dead; William, dead; Liza, dead; Mary, died in early childhood; Sara, died in early childhood.
The family of Katura, first marriage, Mr. Ogden, two children , Mary and Christina. Katura, second marriage, Mr. R. Shaffner, three children, Edith, Carrie, Eliza.
The family of George Cessna, first marriage to Melissa Davis, ten children as follows: Bell, John, Richard, Barton, George, Anna, Edith, Molly, Dolly, and Sarah.
George Cessna, second marriage to Laura Ginter, four children as follows:Lloyd, William, Allien and James.
Anna Cessna, married to Thomas Nichols, two children: Fanny and Bessie.
William Cessna, first marriage to Martha Coy, five children as follows: Blair, Earl, Frank, May and Charles.
William Cessna, second marriage to Jennie Coy, five children as follows: Ida, Grace, Melissa, Cora, and Dillie.
Eliza Cessna, married to Joseph Coy, two children, Verdie and Omah.
John Cessna, second wife, Abagail Jane Keslar, six children, Ada, Milton, Ida, Lilly, Mildred, and Malissa.
Ada, married to Thomas Hickox, three children as follows: Elsie, Bessie and Edgar.
Milton, married to Matha Bowers, twelve children as follows: Harvey, Clyde, Quay, Glenn, John, Ellen, Arthur, Marie, Wayne, Lilly May, Lila June, and Jacob.
Ida, married to A M Tyger, six children as follows: Ralph, Otto, Oakley, Isaac Ray, Clair and Carl.
Lilly, married to H G Bowers, three children as follows: I. Ray, Frank, and Paul.
Mildred, married to C H Tyger, two children, Gladys, and Olive.
Melissa E. (Cessna) McCall, married to A F McCall, four children, Margaret Jane, Franklin Blair, Milton Cessna, and Howard Ray.
Margaret and Blair died when children, Milton Cessna McCall, married to Blanche Demott, no children.Milton is a graduate of Pennsylvania State College, in the School of Mining and Engineering, is employed in the United States Bureau of Mines.
Howard, married to Earla Jane Gourley, two children, Frank Earle McCall and William Milton McCall. Howard is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Dental School, and is practicing Dentustry in Punxsutawney.
Trusting this information will meet with your approval, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Mrs A F McCall
702 East Mahoning Street
Punxsutawney, Pa

• Should be Sarah Martin.

Source:
The House of Cessna by Howard Cessna.^[4]Pages 106 – 108.

More About JOHN CESSNA:
Burial: 25 Nov 1893, Fairview Cemetery, Rossiter, Canoe, Indiana County, Pennsylvania7
Census: 1840, Slipperyrock, Beaver, Pennsylvania8
Census 1: 1850, Young, Jefferson, Pennsylvania9
Census 2: 1860, Lawrence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania10
Census 3: 1870, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania11
Census 4: 1880, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania12
Will: 17 Nov 1894, Indiana County, Pennsylvania13 Notes for SARAH CATHERINE MARTIN:
She may also have come from Clearfield County
Possible Parent:???? Name: George Washington Martin from Beaver county Sex: M Birth: ABT 1810 in , PA Marriage 1 Eliza B. b: ABT 1822 in , PA Children
Emma Katherine Martin b: ABT AUG 1846 in Norwegian Twp., Schuykill Co., PA
Gracilla Martin b: ABT APR 1850 in Norwegian Twp., Schuykill Co., PA
Eliot Fillmore Martin b: ABT 1853 in Norwegian Twp., Schuykill Co., PA
Charles H. Martin b: ABT 1858 in Marion Twp., Henry Co., IA
Mary Martin b: ABT 1861 in Marion Twp., Henry Co., IA
Margaret J. Martin b: ABT MAR 1856 in Marion Twp., Henry Co., IA
Marriage 2
Children
Sarah Martin b: ABT 1830 in , PA
Josiah Martin b: ABT 1834 in , PA
William Martin b: ABT 1836 in , PA
Rebecca Martin b: ABT 1840 in , PA

More About JOHN CESSNA and SARAH MARTIN:
Marriage: Abt. 1838, Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Notes for ABIGAIL JANE KESSLER:
Mrs A. J. Cessna,died prior to 14 Oct 1896 as Milton E Cessna was appointed as executor of her estate and advertised for any one with claims to the estate to contact him.

More About ABIGAIL JANE KESSLER:
Burial: 08 Jul 1896, Canoe Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania14 Nickname: Abby

More About JOHN CESSNA and ABIGAIL KESSLER:
Marriage: 1861, Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Children of JOHN CESSNA and SARAH MARTIN are:

9. i. WILLIAM CONRAD6 CESSNA, b. 03 Oct 1851, Lawrence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; d. 12 Sep 1898, Horton, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

ii. SARA CECELIA CESSNA, b. 1840, Slipperyrock, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. Abt. 1857, Lawerence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Notes for SARA CECELIA CESSNA:

One family tree on familysearch.org has birth at 1857, yet she is listed on the 1850 census, maybe this is her death date as she in not found on the 1860 census records.

More About SARA CECELIA CESSNA:

Fact: Died in early childhood.

iii. NANCY CESSNA, b. Abt. 1841, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; d. Bef. 1850, Lawerence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

More About NANCY CESSNA:

Fact: Died when a child

iv. CATHERINE CESSNA, b. Feb 1843, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania15; d. 12 Jan 1916, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

Notes for CATHERINE CESSNA:

MISS KATE CESSNA, aged 72 years, died at the County Home on January 12. She was a native of Banks township and death was due to the infirmities of age. Funeral services were held at the undertaking rooms of George D. Leydic, on North Sixth Street, Friday afternoon, by Rev. Dr. B. W. Hutchinson. Interment was made in Greenwood Cemetery. Source: Cessna family file, Indiana County Historical & Genealogy Society, unidentified newspaper, hand dated 1916

More About CATHERINE CESSNA:

Burial: 15 Jan 1916, Greenwood Cem., White Twp., Indiana, Pa.16

Census: 1900, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania17

<Fact: 1916, She never married.

10. v. KETURAH JANE CESSNA, b. 16 May 1844, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; d. 07 Nov 1887, Mt Joy, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

11. vi. GEORGE WASHINGTON CESSNA, b. 21 Jun 1846, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; d. 01 Jan 1923, Banks, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

vii. MARY CESSNA, b. Abt. 1847, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; d. Bef. 1850, Lawerence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

More About MARY CESSNA:

Fact: Died in early childhood.

12. viii. ANNA CESSNA, b. 1848, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; d. Bef. 1935.

13. ix. ELIZA N CESSNA, b. 30 Apr 1853, Lawrence, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; d. 31 May 1913, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Children of JOHN CESSNA and ABIGAIL KESSLER are:

14. x. SARAH ADA6 CESSNA, b. 31 Aug 1861, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 08 Oct 1895, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.

15. xi. MILTON EMERSON CESSNA, b. 09 Mar 1863, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 14 May 1924, Plumville, Indiana, Pennsyvlania.

16. xii. IDA MAE CESSNA, b. 28 Dec 1864, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 02 May 1916, Canoe, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

17. xiii. LILLY MAY CESSNA, b. 06 Dec 1866, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 29 Mar 1938, Punxsutawnery, Jefferson, Pennsylvania.

xiv. JOHN V CESSNA, b. 24 Jul 1868, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 28 Dec 1868, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

More About JOHN V CESSNA:

Burial: 30 Dec 1868, Fairview Cem., Canoe Twp.,Pa.18

xv. ALBERT J CESSNA, b. 16 Jan 1870, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 08 Feb 1871, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

More About ALBERT J CESSNA:

Burial: 10 Feb 1871, Fairview Cem., Canoe Twp.,Pa.19

18. xvi. MILDRED IDA CESSNA, b. Jun 1872, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. 02 Jul 1927, Canoe, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

19. xvii. MELISSA ERLA CESSNA, b. Jul 1874, Banks, Indiana, Pennsylvania; d. Aft. 1949, Punxsutawney, Jefferson, Pennsylvania.

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogy Report: Descendants of Charles Hall Cessna by Diana Sutor Greenwood https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/u/t/Diana-Sutor-Greenwood/GENE3-0002.html#CHILD2
2. ↑ The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
3. ↑ Indiana County, Pennsylvania: Her People, Past and Present, Embracing a History of the County. (1913). United States: J. H. Beers & Company Compiler:Joshua Thompson Stewart .
4. ↑ Cessna, Howard.The House of Cessna: Second Series.Berlin, PA: Berlin Publishing Company, 1935.

No sources. The events of John's life were either witnessed by Diana Sutor or Diana plans to add sources here later.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Diana Sutor for creating Cessna-47 on 5 Oct 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Diana and others.