Peter Kessler (1831 - 1903)

Born 28 Sep 1831 in Lower Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Catharine (Zerbe) Kessler — married 23 Jan 1853 (to 29 Aug 1903) in Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died 29 Aug 1903 at age 71 in Porter Township, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Birth date and death date are per ^[1]

"PETER KESSLER, a prosperous farmer, good citizen and a representative of an old family, is a son of Abraham and Cather- ine (Binger) Kessler, and was born September 28, 1831, in Porter township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, near what is now known as the village of Johnstown.

His father was a native of Berks county, Beddall township, and came to Pine Valley near the beginning of the present century, and about the year 1825 purchased a tract of land containing about' seventy-five acres in Porter township, which he continued to im- prove and cultivate until the time of his death, in 1887.

The business of farming engaged his atten- tion during the greater part of his life, and for six or eight years he was engaged in the manufacture of blasting powder for use in the mines. He was a democrat in politics, and as such held the office of school director, super- visor and other local offices. Religiously, he affiliated with the Reformed church, in which he was one of the governing officials. He married Catherine Binger, who bore him nine children, one of whom died in infancy. Of those living four are sons and four daughters. His wife died in the year 1854.

Peter Kessler was united in marriage with Catherine Zerby, daughter of George and Hannah (Klouser) Zerby, of Hegins township, who bore him five children, four of whom are living : John H., married to Silesia Boar, who resides on the farm of subject ; Henry A., married to Emma Eliza Bultz, and now lives near Johnstown, by occupation a farmer; A. Johnson, married to Sallie Neuhardt, and now living near Johnstown, employed on his father's farm ; Sallie, wife of William Wise, a miner of Johnstown, Schuylkill county; Mary E., wife of Otto Zimmerman, a teacher and laborer of Johnstown, Schuylkill county.

Mr. Kessler received his education in the common schools of his native township, which was somewhat meagre, both as to extent and quality. The greater part of his education, in fact, has been obtained since through self- effort and through his contact with active life. In youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for a period of four years, when he commenced farming on the old homestead. This he has improved and added to by purchase until he now owns a farm of two hundred acres of improved land, besides thirty acres of timber land. The conduct of his farm, together with the related industry of stock raising, has occupied his attention down to the present time. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican ticket, and under that party has for a number of terms, aggre- gating twenty-five years, been elected to the office of school director of his township. He also served for a term as tax-collector."^[2]

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Sources

1. ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=110148553&ref=acom
2. ↑ Wiley, Samuel T, and Henry W. Ruoff. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Schuylkill County Pennsylvania: Comprising a Historical Sketch of the County. Philadelphia: Rush, West, 1893. Print. Page 557.

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