1.3.1.6.3 Edwin M. Kessler (1845-1909)

Edwin married Albina Ann Figgins (Apr 1842-15 Jun 1925) on 26 Feb 1874 in Loudoun County, Virginia. Albina was likely a cousin of William Figgins, husband of Edwin’s older sister, 1.3.1.6.1 Isabella.

Edwin (sometimes referred to as Edward) was Andrew Jr’s oldest son and is likely the one responsible for mishandling family finances during Andrew Jr’s final years. There is a newspaper article dated 1897 that lists Edwin and his wife in the sale of Andrew Jr’s farm located northwest of Jefferson. After sending the family into bankruptcy, Edwin held a number of positions including constable and letter carrier, before dying in 1909.

• 1850: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (16/24 7 Aug) Andrew Kessler 32 (farmer), Lauretta S. 34, Isabella 12, Amelia 8, Edwin M. 5, Thomas A. 2
• 1860: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (19/38 20 Jul) Andrew Kessler 42 (farmer), Laura 44, Isabella 22, Laura 18, Edwin 15, Thomas 11, Ugenia 9, Franklin 5, William 1, Darnell William 23 (laborer)
• 1870: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md, (13/38 29 Jul) Andrew Kessler 53 (farmer), Loretta S. 54, Edwin M. 25, Thomas A. 21, Virginia E. 18, John F. 15, William A. 11, Emma Lighter 19, Jacob Martial 64 (plus four blacks – Mima 45, Joanna 18, Mountjoy 15, & Charles 13
• 1880: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (22/33 15 Jul) Edward Kessler 35 (farmer), Albina 37, Nettie 13, Lavia 12, Elizabeth Figgins 66 (mother-in-law)
• 1900: District 0026 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (3/30 Jun 2) Edward M. Kessler 55 (Jan 1945, day laborer), Albinah A. 58 (Apr 1842)
• 1910: District 0071 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (5/29 Apr 20) Albinah A. Kessler 67, Roland L. Shaff 10 (grandson)
• 1920: District 0081 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (6/28 Jan 6) McKendree Etchinson 55 (undertaker), Anna J. 53, Julia E. 22, Arthur H. 20, Mary C. 18, Eugene F. Wiles 4 11/12 (ward), Albina A. Kessler 77 (mother-in-law)

Edwin and Ann had two daughters:

1.3.1.6.2.1 Anna Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Kessler Etchinson (23 Jun 1866-4 May 1962) married McKendree Riley Etchinson (15 Sep 1864-3 May 1952) on 17 Feb 1891 in a double-wedding with her sister Lavvie. She and McK had five children: Page M. Etchinson (15 Nov 1892-2  Jun 1952), Julia Elizabeth Etchinson Hanna (25 Feb 1897-27 Oct 1994), Arthur Hart Etchinson (4 Apr 1899-10 Jun 1982), Mary C. Etchinson McDonald (22 Mar 1901-3 Mar 1978), and Gene Wiles Etchinson (2 Jan 1915-20 Nov 1972). Gene was adopted.

• • 1870: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md, (13/38 29 Jul) Andrew Kessler 53 (farmer), Loretta S. 54, Edwin M. 25, Thomas A. 21, Virginia E. 18, John F. 15, William A. 11, Emma Lighter 19, Jacob Martial 64 (plus four blacks – Mima 45, Joanna 18, Mountjoy 15, & Charles 13
  • 1880: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (22/33 15 Jul) Edward Kessler 35 (farmer), Albina 37, Nettie 13, Lavia 12, Elizabeth Figgins 66 (mother-in-law)
  • 1900: District 0026 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (1/30 Jun 1) McKendree R. Etchinson 35 (Sep 1864 undertaker), Janet 33 (Jul 1866), Page M. 7 (Nov 1892), Julia E. 3 (Feb 1897), Arthur H. 1 (Apr 1899)
  • 1910: District 0071 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (3/29 Apr 9) McKendree R. Etchinson 45 (undertaker), Janet 43, Page M. 17, Julia E. 13, Arthur H. 11, Mary C. 9
  • 1920: District 0081 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (6/28 Jan 6) McKendree Etchinson 55 (undertaker), Anna J. 53, Julia E. 22, Arthur H. 20, Mary C. 18, Eugene F. Wiles 4 11/12 (ward), Albina A. Kessler 77 (mother-in-law)
  • 1930: 303 W College Terrace District 0011 Frederick, Frederick County, Md. (6/48 Apr 4) M. Riley Etchinson 65 (undertaker), Anna J. 63, Julia E. 31 (teacher-high school), Gene 15 (Eugene F. Wiles-ward), Robert M. Unger 23 (high school teacher)
  • 1940: 303 W College Terrace District 11-12 Frederick, Frederick County, Md. (7/24 Apr 18) M. Riley Etchinson 75, Anna J. 73, Julia E. 42 (English teacher-high school), Gene 15 (Eugene F. Wiles-ward), Robert M. Unger 23 (high school teacher)

1.3.1.6.2.2 Lavenia Isabella ‘Lavvie’ Shaff (20 Aug 1867 Virginia-18 Apr 1906 Maryland) married Charles Kurtz Shaff (14 Mar 1866-31 Aug 1934) on 17 Feb 1891. They had four children: Lee Lamar Shaff (3 Feb 1892-20 Mar 1892), Harry Melvin Shaff (21 Jan 1894-15 Oct 1919), Roland Luther Shaff (2 Oct 1898-30 May 1931), and Mabel Fay Shaff (1 Sep 1900-27 May 1924).

This was a tragic union. Lavenia died at age 39, leaving three children behind. She and Charles had lost their first child after only six weeks, in 1892. Of the remaining three children, Harry Shaff died unmarried at age 25, Roland died unmarried at age 31, and daughter Mabel, also unmarried, died at age 23. Lavenia’s husband, Charles survived until age 68, but his life likely was a tormented one, given his many loses.

Note: My grandfather, Edgar Franklin Kessler Sr. was born in 1897, and was very close in age to Lavenia and Charles’ children, Harry (b. 1894) and Roland (b. 1898). They likely went to school and played together in Jefferson. Charles and his sons are listed in the U.S. census’ as painters, which was the life-long occupation of my grandfather. I wonder if my grandfather was encouraged to be a painter because of his interactions with the Shaff family. There is no way to know, but the coincidence of the ages and occupations certainly suggest that there was a close connection.

• • 1870: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md, (13/38 29 Jul) Andrew Kessler 53 (farmer), Loretta S. 54, Edwin M. 25, Thomas A. 21, Virginia E. 18, John F. 15, William A. 11, Emma Lighter 19, Jacob Martial 64 (plus four blacks – Mima 45, Joanna 18, Mountjoy 15, & Charles 13
  • 1880: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (22/33 15 Jul) Edward Kessler 35 (farmer), Albina 37, Nettie 13, Lavia 12, Elizabeth Figgins 66 (mother-in-law)
  • 1900: District 0026 Jefferson, Frederick County, Md. (5/30 Jun 4) Charles K. Shaff 34 (Jan 1866), Lavie I. 32 (Aug 1867), Melvin 6 (Jun 1894), Roland L. 1 (Oct 1898)