1.3.5.8.1 John Wesley Keslar (b: 18 Mar 1845 Donegal-d: 6 Apr 1927 Donegal)
1.3.5.8.1 John Wesley Keslar (b: 18 Mar 1845 Donegal-d: 6 Apr 1927 Donegal) was the oldest child of William J. Keslar (20 Oct 1817- 31 Aug 1884) and Barbara Eshelman (20 Dec 1814 Bullskin, Pa-18 Nov 1862). His views and perspectives were shaped by events in the 1840s and 1850s dominated by westward expansion, growing sectional conflict over slavery, and rapid economic and technological change. Major events included the Mexican American War, the Texas and California Gold Rush, and the passage of the Compromise of 1850, which intensified tensions between the North and South. During this time, the nation’s industrial base grew, transportation networks expanded with railroads and telegraphs, and immigration surged, especially from Europe.
The Civil War started while John was still in his teens. He joined the Union Army on 18 Feb 1864, serving in the Pennsylvania 11th Regiment, Infantry Company K. By the time he left military service when the 11th mustered out on July 1, 1865, he had attained the rank of corporal. While John served, his Regiment fought in the Overland Campaign which was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant. Engagements in 1864 and 1865 included: Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of North Anna, Battle of Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg. It also fought in the final campaign of the war, the Appomattox Campaign, that led to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.
After serving, John returned to Westmoreland County and assumed duties as a farmer, likely working with his father William, and eventually taking over the family farm. He married Mary Amanda “Minnie” Mosholder Keslar (Abt 23 May 1846 Donegal-21 Jun 1944 Westmoreland County Pa) and they had thirteen children between 1868 and 1896. John lived to the age of 82 and Minnie lived to age 98.
The following US Census entries highlight John and Minnie’s lives:
- 1850(John): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (2/61) William J. Keslar 33 (farmer), Barbara 34, Westly 5, David 3, Sonny 2 months, Barbara Bungard 23
- (Minnie): Stonycreek, Somerset, Pa. (30/34) John Mosholder 26 (farmer), Louisa 21, Mary A. 2 (future wife of John Westley Keslar (1845-1927), Emeline 8/12
- 1860: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (p. 11/35 12 Jun) William J. Keslter 43, Barbara 44, John Westly 15, David E. 13, Peter 9, Morrison 4, Hetty Erwin 12, Susanah Wasabaugh 22
- 1870: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (16/34 26 Jun) William J. Kesler 52, Mary A. 44, John W. 26, Peter 20, Morrison 14
- 1880: District 090, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (2/29 2 Jun) John W. Kesler 34 (farmer), Mary A. 31, Annie 12, Lloyd 6, Mary 4, Charles 2 Note: Lives 2 doors away from another John who is same age, son of Eli, John’s uncle
- 1900: District 090, Four Mile Run, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/12 26 Jun) John W. Kesler 54 (farmer), Mary M. 51, Charles 22 (Mar 1878), Harry 18 (Jul 1881), Lizzie A. 17 (Apr 1883), Jenny M. 12 (Dec 1887), Ida 10 (Nov 1889), James W. 8 (Mar 1892), Elroy 4 (Feb 1896)
- 1910: District 0116, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (5/14 19 Apr) John W. Keslar 64, Mary A. 58, Ida B. 18, James W. 17, Elroy 1
- 1920: District 0089 Donegal Township (p. 8/13 13 Jan) Wesley Keslar 74, Minnie 69, Lloyd 39, James 25
- 1930: District 0037, German, Fayette County, Pa (15/25 8 Apr) Ida Kerfoot 38 (head), Thomas Kerfoot 18 (son), Dale Kerfoot 11 (son), Minnie Kessler 81 (mother)
- 1940: District 26-45, German, Fayette County, Pa (48/60 19 Apr) Ida Keslar Kerfoot 47, Dale Kerfoot 21 (truck driver), Minnie Keslar 91
Each of John and Minnie’s children and descendants are discussed below.
Child #1: 1.3.5.8.1.1 William Wesley ‘Clark’ Keslar (31 Jan 1872-25 May 1880). Clark died at age eight.
Child #2: 1.3.5.8.1.2 Lloyd Keslar (15 May 1874-30 Jul 1935). Lloyd was a coal miner. He was married to Margaret ‘Maggie’ Keller Keslar (11 Aug 1865-12 May 1933). They had four children: Alfred E. Keslar (4 Jul 1898-2 Jun 1939 Cambria, Pa), Stewart Robert Keslar (8 Apr 1899-12 Nov 1969 Fayette, Pa), Thelma Keslar Faith (May 31, 1904-1969), and Darrell Kenneth Keslar (1 Aug 1909-15 Dec 1970 Cambria, Pa).
Child #3: 1.3.5.8.1.3 Mary Elizabeth Keslar Brant (21 Mar 1876-8 Sep 1951). Mary Elizabeth married Charles ‘Charlie’ Brant at age 20 on 26 Mar 1896 in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Charlie was a coal miner during his twenties and thirties but later worked as a stationary engineer and a farmer. They had a daughter, Gladys Pearl (25 Aug 1897-29 May 1972) who married Carl Ludwig. They had one son, Charles, Ferdinand Ludwig (1920-1987).
Child #4: 1.3.5.8.1.4 Charles Orville Keslar (11 Mar 1878-11 May 1960 Donegal, Pa) This family line is interesting because each year there is a family reunion. Click on the link to go to the detailed page for Charles Orville Keslar. Here is a link to the Keslar Family Reunion Web Site.
Child #5: 1.3.5.8.1.5 William Keslar (21 Mar 1880-28 Mar 1880 Westmoreland County, Pa). Sadly, William only survived for a week after his birth in 1880.
Child #6: 1.3.5.8.1.6 Harry Harrison Keslar Sr. (3 Jul 1881-25 Sep 1963 Westmoreland County, Pa). Harry married Mary Etta Hauger Keslar (14 Sep 1887-10 Nov 1926) on 1 Feb 1905, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United State and they had eight children. He worked as a farm laborer and a carpenter. He died at age 81 in 1963.
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.1 John Freeman Keslar (18 Aug 1905-6 Jun 1926 Westmoreland County, Pa)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.2 Violet Mae Keslar Andrews (18 Aug 1907-10 Apr 1992 Ridley Park, DE)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.3 Bessie Doris Keslar Inmel Gamble (21 Mar 1909 -10 Sep 1978 Westmoreland County, Pa)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.4 Frances Edith Keslar Smith Donitzen (18 Aug 1910-31 Aug 2009 Syracuse, NY)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.5 Harry Harrison Keslar Jr. (24 Apr 1914-Jun 1982 Ligonier, Pa)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.6 Clyde Brooks Keslar (20 Sep 1916-23 Dec 2005 Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa)
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.7 Thelma Marjorie ‘Margie’ Keslar Shearer (18 Aug 1921-27 Nov 1959 Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pa), and
- 1.3.5.8.1.6.8 Ada Bell Keslar McCombs (10 Sep 1922-25 Jan 1978 Ulster, NY).
Child #7: 1.3.5.8.1.7 Alice Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Keslar Neiderhiser (15 Apr 1883-7 Sep 1962 Westmoreland County, Pa). Alice married Harvey Showman Neiderhiser (23 Aug 1881-21 Feb 1946). They had seven children. They were farmers in Westmoreland County, Pa.).
Child #8: 1.3.5.8.1.8 Stanley Wilbur Keslar (7 Feb 1885 Donegal-Aug 1957 Connellsville, Pa) married Pearl Bell Hauger Keslar (7 Feb 1885 Donegal-8 Mar 1960 Westmoreland County, Pa) and they had six children: Carrie A. Keslar Glotfelty (Abt 1908 Donegal-1 Oct 1968), Laurna Grace ‘Lottie’ Keslar Roadman (17 Mar 1909 Donegal-23 Feb 1989), Gladys Pearl Keslar Roadman (21 Jul 1911 Donegal-11 Apr 1997), Leora Mae Keslar Kreger (29 Sep 1914 Donegal-20 Mar 2001), Charlotte Evelyn Keslar Mechling (27 Jan 1918 Donegal-17 Jan 2003), and Hazel Helen Keslar Kettering (28 Mar 1920 Donegal-27 May 2002).
Child #9: 1.3.5.8.1.9 Louminta Lucy Keslar Wright (7 Jan 1886-Sep 1962 Fayette County, Pa) married Milton B. Wright (1887-1953). They had one child who died at birth and a daughter, Leora Frances Wright Martin (1910-1993). Milton was a coal miner.
Child #10: 1.3.5.8.1.10 Jenny Mabel Keslar Hellein (7 Dec 1887-20 Oct 1912 Fayette County, Pa). Jenny died at age 24 from injuries sustained in a fall. She was married to Albert Claude ‘Bert’ Hellein, and they had four children: Glenn Mullen Hellein (1906-1928), Ida Lou Hellein Morris (1908-1990), Carrie Hellein (1910-1920), and Leota May Hellein (1910-2001).