As it turns out, Samuel Kessler is the brother of Jacob Kessler. I haven’t found an obituary for him, but I did find one for his wife:
Mrs. Samuel Kesslar.
Mrs. Hannah Avey Kessler, wife of Samuel Kesslar, of Marion Center, died on Wednesday evening about 7 o’clock, of a complication of diseases, aged 66 years. The deceased had been ailing for several years, but her case was not considered serious until two or three months ago. From that time to her death she suffered
greatly. She is survived by her husband and on son, Sheridan Kesslar, south of Marion. Two sisters are also living, Mrs. Mary Campbell, of Iowa, and Mrs. Lizzie Laughlin, of Gallitzin, who was with her for two or three weeks before her death. Mrs. Kesslar was a member of the M.E. church and was loved by all who knew her
for her sterling qualities. Interment was made this afternoon at 2 o’clock, services being conducted at the home by her pastor, Rev. G.A. Sheets.
Indiana Evening Gazette (PA) 18 Jun 1909
Census Records
Home in 1900: Rayne, Indiana, Pennsylvania
Samuel Keslar 60
Hanna J Keslar 57
Home in 1880: Young, Jefferson, Pennsylvania
Samuel Kesler 39
Hannah Kesler 35
Sheridan Kesler 16
Sarah E. Kesler 16
John Avey 39 [brother-in-law to Samuel]
Home in 1870: Young, Jefferson, Pennsylvania
Samuel Keslar 29
Hannah Keslar 25
Sheridan Keslar 4/12
Christopher Keslar 77 [father]
Home in 1860: Young, Jefferson, Pennsylvania
Jacob Kesler 29
Christopher Kesler 67
Mary Kesler 63
Peter Kesler 21
Samuel Kesler 18
Abby Sharrer 25
Cecilia Sharrer 4
Home in 1850: Young, Jefferson, Pennsylvania
Abby Kesler 16
Christ Kesler 60 [father]
Christ Kesler 19
Jacob Kesler 21 [married to Jane Trusell]
John Kesler 22
Mary Kesler 54 [mother]
Mary Kesler 6
Peter Kesler 10
Samuel Kesler 8
Susan Kesler 18
Lightning’s Terrible Work.
During a storm on last Friday night the barn of Mr. Samuel Kessler, of Rayne township, was struck by lightning, burning the barn and all its contents. The loss is estimated at about $900; insurance $600.While Mr. Kessler’s barn was burning lightning struck the barn of Mr. William Moore, of East Mahoning twonship, about two miles from Kessler’s destroying both barn and wagon shed, together with all the contents.
Both these barns were insured in Thompson’s Agency. Three barns insured in this agency were burned within three days.
We must speak of the commendable promptness in which these losses were adjusted by the companies represented by the Thompson Agency. On last Tuesday Mr. Creighton a respresentative of the company and Mr. H.S. Thompson of this place, drove out to the farms where the fires occured, and have already settled the losses, in a satisfactory manner, proving conclusively that the companies that Thompson’s Agency represents are the very best.
Indiana Progress (PA) 05 Aug 1891
**Sounds like a little bit of advertising going on in the news item above. Good thing he had insurance, and as you will see below, was able to build a new barn.
A fine new barn is being built on the farm of Samuel Kesslar, near Marion Center, in place of the one recently destroyed by lightning.
Indiana County Gazette (PA) 04 Nov 1891
“WILDCAT” SURVIVORS MEET.
Indiana County Sent a Large Delegation to Reunion in Punxsutawney.
Indiana county was represented by the following Civil War veterans at the reunion of the 105th Regiment P.V.L., in Punxsutawney on Thursday:
W.J Mogle, Rev. W.J. Wilson, John McGaughey, John Weir and W.W. Brilhart, of Indiana;
James Mogel, Covode; T.T. Adams, North Point; John A. Blose, Smicksburg;
Samuel Kessler, Marion Center; Capt. William Kimple, Chambersville, and Joseph Young, Canoe Ridge.
Indiana Evening Gazette (PA) 25 Oct 1909
*****
Hannah Avey Kessler’s brother:
AVEY.
Mr. John Avey died at his home near Clarksburg, Wednesday afternoon, of Bright’s disease, aged about 61 years. His wife and one son survive him. The remains were taken to Marion Center Friday for interment. The deceased was a brother of Mr. A. Avey, of Marion Center, and Mrs. Samuel Kesslar, of Marion Center.
The Indiana Democrat (PA) 16 Oct 1901
**After a bit of searching, I didn’t find a family on the census records that matched up with these AVEY’s. I think the surname might be misspelled on the records.
