Ref: William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas

Atchison County - Part 35

Published in 1883 by A.T. Andreas, Chicago, IL

DAVID KESSLER, blacksmith and farmer, was born in Lancaster County, Pa.,

April 22, 1834. His parents were Jacob and Catherine Kessler, nee Hersh. His

father was a blacksmith, and David learned his trade with him. He died in

1853 with the cholera, at the time of the great epidemic in Columbia, Pa. The

following year Mr. Kessler removed to Buchanan County, Mo., and in the fall

of 1856 came to Atchison County, Kansas, and took up a homestead in Kapioma Township; here he lived up to 1860, and then moved to Mount Pleasant Township and opened a blacksmith shop, which he ran there until 1867, at that time removing to Kennekuk. Opened a shop at this place, where he operated

successfully until 1875, when he moved onto his farm, which is situated one

mile south of the village. During the spring of 1880 he returned to the

village and again started at his trade, which he still plies. Mr. Kessler was

married in Buchanan County, Mo., in 1855, to Miss Nancy J. Wylie, formerly

from Indiana. She is a member of the Baptist Church. They have four boys and

three girls.