Kessler - Samuel Benjamin - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

With pain I try to pay tribute to the memory of my departed friend so familiarly known as Bennie Kessler. My sympathy goes out to his devoted mother, affectionate father and loving sisters and brothers. Too much can not be said in praise of this noble son, brother and friend. At peace with all, an enemy to no one. His whole heart was devoted to his loving mother who was ever near him and his constant companion the last two years of his sickness. He loved the father who was his guide and counselor in all affairs of life, and for brothers and sister he held the strongest affection of man's most sympathetic nature. For friends he stood ever ready to sacrifice his own needs and comfort that helmight favor and help them.  Such was his life from childhood. A good boy, a noble, big hearted man his soul was filled with love of all that surrounded him, and deep in his heart he reverenced and loved his Saviour, for he often spoke to me of the life beyond. The members of the community realize the loss of this young neighbor, who standing among them was the highest. The loss to parents and family is great and sad, indeed, is it for them to give him up just in the prime of usefulness —only twenty-nine-and the future opening so bright for him. He was loved, respected andihonored, and that his life was an exemplary onejwas evidenced by the vast concourse of people who gathered to pay respect and fol low his remains to the last resting place.  The family have the deepest sympathy of everyone. There are tears for the heart-broken mother, yet 'tis joy to her to know that Bennie's pure white soul rests in peace with the angels, and that He who gave him to her, in His own tithe "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death—neither sorrow nor crying."  Samuel Benjamin Kessler was the oldest son of Nathan G. and Lizzie Harshbarger Kessler. He was born on a farm near Ladoga, July 4, 1872. He leaves mother, father, three Isisters Miss Louie, Mrs. Sadie Buser, Miss Salome, the youngest, and two brothers, Harry a merchant at Jamestown and Milton yet at home. Death oc curred Easter Sunday, the 7th. The funeral took place at noon Tuesday. April 9, at the Dunkard-ichurch two miles north of Ladoga. The pall bearers were six young men, cousins of the deceased three on the Kessler side and three on the Harshbarger side. The services were conducted by Rev. L. E Murry, pastor of the Christian church of Irvington, near Indianapolis. - kbz