Dora Mable (Meiser) Kessler (1882 - 1950)

Born 26 Jun 1882 in Snyder, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Lester C Kessler — married 24 Dec 1907 in Meiser Station, Middlecreek Township, Snyder, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 31 Mar 1950 at age 67 in Sunbury, Northumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Dora was born in 1882, the daughter of John Meiser and Mary Luck.^[1] She was enumerated, age 17, in her parents' household at the time of the 1900 Census.^[2]

In 1907, when she was 25 years old, she married Lester C Kessler in Miserville, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.^[3] The 1910 Census finds Lester (34) and Dora (27) renting a house at 341 Arch Street in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Lester is employed as a baggage master for the railroad. They have been married 2 years and have no children.^[4] Then remained in Sunbury, but in 1920 Lester C (43) and Dora (36) were renting a house at 237 Chestnut Street in Ward 1. They had no children, and Lester was employed as a railroad conductor.^[5]

The 1930 Census indicates a change in lifestyle for Lester (54) and Dora (47). They have purchased a home at 211 North 2nd Street, valued at $8,000, and although Lester continues to be employed by the railroad, he is now a brakeman. Dora's widowed sister, Jennie (Meiser) Kessler (43), and her daughter Jeannette M Kessler (15) are living with them, as is a boarder, Edward H Mattrean—of no known relationship. As a side note, Dora was the Enumerator for the Census on this section.^[6] By 1940, Dora (57) is widowed. She remains in the home on 2nd Street (now valued at $5,000) and has a houseful of relatives. Her widowed sister, Jennie M Kessler, her widowed mother, Mary J Meiser (87), her niece Jeannie M Meiser (32) [sic.: should be surname "Kessler"]. Also in the home was Clarence Douty (57), a lodger employed as a foreman for the Pennsylvania Railroad.^[7]

Dora passed away of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1950^[1] and is buried at Glendale Cemetery in Snyder County, Pennsylvania.^[8] Her obituary, which appeared in The Selinsgrove (Pennsylvania) Times-Tribune on 6 April 1950, mentioned by name her parents, her deceased spouse, two sisters (Katherine Bolender and Jennie Kessler) and her brother, Charles Meiser.^[9] It is worth noting that hers is the only family obituary to mention Charles.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Paywall "Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967": Dora Mable Kessler; b 26 June 1882; d 31 March 1950; Informant Jennie M Kessler (sister)Ancestry login necessary
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1900": John S Meiser household; ED 176 Middlecreek Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania; 9 June 1900; Dwelling 137/Family 141, Lines 1-4 FamilySearch (Image)
3. ↑ "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950": Lester C Kessler and Dora M Meiser; 24 December 1907; Snyder County Certificate #3433 FamilySearch (Image)
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1910": Lester C Kessler household; ED 112 Ward 2, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; 21 April 1910; Dwelling 121/Family 137, Lines 34-35 FamilySearch (Image)
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1920": Lester C Kessler household; ED 130 Ward 1, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; 13 January 1920; Dwelling 175/Family 184, Lines 89-90 FamilySearch (Image)
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1930": Lester C Kessler household; ED 67 Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; 2 April 1930; Dwelling 30/Family 30, Lines 93-97 FamilySearch (Image)
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1940": Dora M Kessler household; ED 49-87 Ward 1, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; 18 April 1940; Household 30, Lines 1-5 FamilySearch (Image)
8. ↑ "Dora M Meiser Kessler (1882-1950)" Find A Grave: Memorial #145453390 (Grave marker pictured; Family links)
9. ↑ "Mrs Lester Kessler Buried in Middleburg"; The Selinsgrove (Pennsylvania) Times-Tribune; 6 April 1950; p 8, col 1 Newspapers.com (Clip)