Kessler - Nathan G.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913 p 1139
In many respects the career of Nathan G. Kesler, for many decades one of the progressive agriculturists and stock men of Montgomery Co, is peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well defined purpose, supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish in the face of discouraging circumstances.
It is an example of triumph over obstacles, the winning of success by honorable methods and as such may be safely followed by those whose life work is yet to be accomplished.
He is a fine type of sterling pioneer, having invaded the forests of this locality when settlers were none too numerous and when there was much to be done before a comfortable home could rise and good crops he reaped from the virgin soil, but he is a man who has never permitted discouraging situations to influence him, but forged ahead despite of them, and won not only material success, but the good will and esteem of all who know him.
By his upright and honorable career as a general farmer and citizen he has won the good will of his fellow citizens.
It is always his endeavor to advance in every possible way the public good, and this cannot be too highly commended as it is only the narrow minded man who makes his chief object the acquisition of wealth, regardless of the rights and feelings of others.
Mr. K. was b. in Botetourt Co, Va. Jan 8, 1838. He is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Graybill) Kesler and grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shearer) Kesler.
Ther were 10 ch. in the family of whom Nathan G. was the fifth in order of birth.
He was 8 years old when he accompanied his parents from the old family homestead to Montgomery Co making that long overland journey by wagon, at a time when wagon roads were few, when most streams were unbridged and they crossed but one railroad on the entire journey.
Of this trip our subject recalls many interesting incidents, having a good recollectino of the same. The family located in the northeastern part of Scott Twp, this county, where Benjamin Kesler purchased 240 acres, a small part of which had been cleared.
Nearly everybody in this locality at that time lived in log cabins, homes like the modern farm house were not to be found. Benjamin Kesler set to work on his virgin ground with a will and soon had a good farm developed and a comfortable home established, and here he spent the rest of his life, meeting death sudenly, being killed on the railroad in 1893.
He had devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1886.
They were both members of the Dunkard Church.
10 children were born to them, named as follows: John M, who devoted his life to farming but lived in Crawfordsville, d. about 1905, leaving a widow who still lives in Crawfordsville; Elizabeth married Samuel T. Keeney, moved to Iowa and later to Florida, where she died recently; Catherine, widow of Jacob Himes, deceased, lives in the Northern Part of Scott Twp; Solomon lives in Ladoga, In; Nathan G of this sketch; Samuel, who d. in Apirl 1910, lived in ladoga, left a widow but no living children; Susan is the widow of Samuel C. Thompson and she lives with her children near New Ross, this county; Mary is the wife of Washington Neff and they live in Ladoga; Nancy married WIlliam Mangus and they live near Whitesville; Jacob, the youngest lives on a farm near Ladoga.
Nathan G. Kesler grew to manhood on the home farm in this county and there worked when a boy, attending the district schools during the winter months.
When 21 he began farming for himself on rented land, also farmed some on his father's land.
In 1866 he married Mary Elizabeth Harshburger, daughter of Samuel Harshburger and wife.
Six children were born of that marriage, namely: Louie Lee lives with her sister, Mrs. Hester near New Market, this county; Samuel B, who remained un married, died in 1901; William Harry, who was in the clothing business both at Jamestown and Ladoga, sold out his stores in December 1912, is now engaged in buying and selling real estate, has a fine home at Jamestown and has 3 sons; Sarah J. who married Charles Buser lives in the northern part of Scott Twp. on a farm and they have two children, Cline and Bennie; John Milton who lives about six miles So. of Crawfordsville on a farm married Nora Davidson and they have three sons, Clyde and Clayton; Elizabeth E. is the wife of Elmer Hester and they live on a farm near the center of North line of Scott Twp. and they have one son, Donald.
The mother of the above named children was called to her eternal rest in 1905, and in 1909 Nathan G. Kesler married for his second wife, Mrs. Rose (Frankebarger) Brookshire, widow of John Brookshire, deceased.
Three children were born of her first union, namely; William lives on a farm in the southern part of Scott Twp; Sarah is at home with her mother and stepfather; Charles is a railway telegrapher and lives in Sioux City, Iowa.
Nathan G. Kesler has farmed all his life in Scott Twp.
Early in his career he bought a farm in the southern part of the township and lived there for a time, a large part of which he divided among his children. He has been a man of industry, sound judgement and enterprise and he farmed and raised stock on a large scale.
He is now living in the southereastern part of Sec. 11, Scott Twp.
He is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Ladoga, also a stockholder in the Mont Co Agr. Soc. Politically, Mr. K. is a Democrat and has been active in the affairs of his party.
He was trustee of Scott Twp. for three terms, having been elected first in 1880, again in 1882, and a third time in 1888.
He gave eminent satisfaction in this capacity.
He is a member of the Christian Church, while his wife holds membership with the Baptist Church.