Ch 13 – 1.3.9 Thomas Kessler (1788-1850)

Thomas was born in Feb 1788 in Jefferson, Maryland and died in 1850 in Donegal Township, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Polly McAfee before 1814 and they had four children. While most of his descendants stayed in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, some migrated to Kansas.

Children and Descendants

• 1.3.9.1 Mary Ann Keslar (b: 9 Aug 1814-d: 24 Aug 1886 Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa.) married 1.3.9.1 George Washington Anderson (b: 1814-d: 1848 East Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pa.)
  • 1.3.9.1.1 Perry G. Anderson (b: 30 Jan 1836-d: 1 Feb 1889, Holton, Kansas) married Mary Marie Loar Married 28 Jan 1857 (b: 22 Mar 1841 Pa.-d: 6 Jan 1892, Holton, Kansas)
  • 1.3.9.1.2 Mary Elizabeth Anderson (Newcomer b: 27 Nov 1837 Pa-d: 17 Jun 1937 Westmoreland County, Pa) married Benjamin Franklin Newcomer (b: 12 Sep 1834 Pa-d: 23 Nov 1912 Fayette County, Pa)
  • 1.3.9.1.3 Jacob L. Kesler Anderson (b: 18 Dec 1842-d: 27 Dec 1928 Kansas) married Sarah Elizabeth Blackford (b: 19 Nov 1846-d: 10 Mar 1925 Holton, Kansas)
  • 1.3.9.1.4 Frances Anderson Coffman (b: Jul 1845-d: 11 Feb 1943 Kansas)
• 1.3.9.2 Delilah Keslar Curry (b: 1824-d: 1886 Westmoreland County, Pa.) married David Curry (b: 1807-d: 20 Aug 1879 Westmoreland County, Pa.)
  • 1.3.9.2.1 Anderson Curry (b: 1843-d: bef. 1870 Pa)
  • 1.3.9.2.2 Sarah Curry Stewart (b: 1847-d: 1929 Pa)
  • 1.3.9.2.3 James Curry (b: 1848-d: bef. 1860)
  • 1.3.9.2.3 Winfield Curry (b: 1855-d: 1881 Pa)
• 1.3.9.3 Rachael Keslar (Logan b: 10 Jun 1827-d: 15 Sep 1861 Jones Mills, Westmoreland County, Pa.) married William B. Logan (b: 13 Apr 1824-d: 17 Jul 1913 Westmoreland County, Pa.). After Rachael died in 1861, William remarried to Sarah Logan (b: 3 Mar 1833-d: 20 Mar 1917 Westmoreland County, Pa.)
  • 1.3.9.3.1 Mary Melinda Logan (b: 13 Jul 1846-d: 1935, Irwin, Pa) married Jerome Luke m: 1868 (b: 30 Sep 1844-d: Mar 1932 Westmoreland County, Pa)
  • 1.3.9.3.2 Catherine Logan McLean (b: 4 Jul 1848-d: 26 Oct 1911)
  • 1.3.9.3.3 James Jones Logan (b: 20 Sep 1851-d: Sep 1938 Westmoreland County, Pa)
  • 1.3.9.3.4 Julia Ann Logan McLean (b: 10 Jan 1855-d: 11 Nov 1916 Fayette County, Pa.)
  • 1.3.9.3.5 William Emerson Logan (b: 18 Aug 1861-d: 5 Nov 1918 Scottdale, Westmoreland County, Pa)
• 1.3.9.4 Absalom Keslar (b: 1831-d: aft 1860 Civil War?)

US Census Information

• 1790: Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland
• –5 males under age 15 (Andreas would have had seven if they all resided in his household: 1.3.4 George b: 1776, 1.3.5 Peter b: 1778, 1.3.6 Jacob b: 1782, William b: 1784, 1.3.8 Samuel b: 1786, 1.3.9 Thomas b: 1788, and 1.3.10 David b: Mar 1790)
  –3 males age 15 & older (1.3 Andreas b: 1746, Andrew b: 1770, 1.3.2 Johannes ‘John’ b: 1772) –3 females (1.3a Mary Rehman, 1.3.3 Mary ‘Showe’ b: 1774 and one other)
• 1800, 1810, 1820: Records could not be located for Thomas
• 1830: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (1/26) Thomas Kesler
  • –1 male 0-4; –1 male 5-9; –1 male 10-14; –1 male 30-39; –1 male 40-49 Thomas (1788)
    –1 female 0-4 1.3.9.2 Rachael (1817); –1 female 5-9; –1 female 15-19 1.3.9.1 Mary Ann (1814); –1 female 40-49 Mary Polly (1787)
• 1840(1): Westmoreland County, Pa (154/203) Thomas Keslar 47
          1 male 5-9 (Absalom b: 1831); 1 male 40-49 (Thomas b: 1788); 1 female 10-14 (Rachel b: 1827); 1 female 15-19 (Delilah b: 1824); 1 female 50-59 (Mary Polly b: 1787)
  • (2): East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (21/24) George Anderson 1 male <5 = Perry G. Anderson (1836), 1 male 20-29 = George Anderson (?), 1 female <5 = Mary Elizabeth Anderson (1837), 1 female 20-29 = Mary Ann Keslar Anderson (1814)
• 1850: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (13/61 22 Aug) Thomas Kepler 57 (Wagonmaker), Mary Kepler 60, Absalom 19
  • (2): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (13/61 22 Aug) David Curry 30 (laborer), Delila 26 (daughter of Thomas Keslar), Anderson 6, Sarah 4, James 2 NOTE: Living two doors from Delila’s parents — Thomas and Mary
  • (3): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (13/61 22 Aug) William Logan 26 (laborer), Rachel Logan 23 (daughter of Thomas Keslar), Mary M. 4, Catherine 2 NOTE: Living next door to Rachel’s parents — Thomas and Mary
• 1860(1): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/35 Jun 4) Mary Kestler 73 (1787; Thomas’ widow), Absolem Kestler 27 (1833 – Thomas’ youngest son))
  • (2): East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (47/49 Aug 3) Mary A. Anderson 44, Frances Anderson 15, Jacob Anderson 18 (brick moulder)
  • (3): Franklin Township, Green County, Pa (31/35 Aug 22) Perry G. Anderson 24 (physician – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Mary M. Anderson 19, Sarah E. 2, Flora B. 1
  • (4): Tyrone, Fayette County, Pa (1/37 Jul 16) Benjamin Newcomer 25 (farm laborer), Mary E. Newcomer 23 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Alice 6 months
  • (5): East Huntington Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (47/49 Aug 3) David Curry 53 (farm laborer), Delilah 40 (daughter of Thomas Keslar), Anderson 17, Sarah 14, Winfield 5
  • (6): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/35 Jun 4) Rachael Logan 33 (daughter of Thomas Keslar), Mary M. 14, Catherine 12, James 7, Julie Ann 5
• 1870(1): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (31/34 Jun 28) William Logan 46 (farmer), Sarah 28, Julianne 15, William 9, Martha 3, Nancy 1, Mary Kesler 86 (Thomas’ widow)
  • (2): Ward 3 Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa (16/20 Jul 15) Perry G. Anderson 35 (physician – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Mary M. Anderson 30, Sarah E. 13, Flora B. 11, William 9
  • (3): Tyrone, Fayette County, Pa (46/57 Aug 9) Benjamin Newcomer 34 (farmer), Mary E. Newcomer 32 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Alice 10, Ida 8, George W. 6, Smith 4, Laura 2
  • (4): Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio (54/74 Jun 17) Jacob Anderson 26 (farmer – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah E. Anderson 23, Ida M. 4, Roy 1
  • (5): North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (28/89 Jun 15) Samuel Coffman 24 (farmer), Francis 24 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Willie A. 1, Eva P. 6/12
  • (6): North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (43/89 Jun 17) David Curry 63 (farm laborer), June 45 (Delilah – daughter of Thomas Keslar), Sarah 23, Winfield 15
  • (7): Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (31/34 Jun 28) William Logan 46 (farmer), Sarah 28 (note: Sarah was not daughter of Thomas Keslar – after Rachael Keslar Logan died in 1861, William remarried. Sarah was stepmother to Rachael’s children), Julianne 15 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), William 9 (grandson of Thomas Keslar), Martha 3, Nancy 1, Mary Kesler 86 (widow of Thomas Keslar)
  • (8): Penn Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (62/82 Aug 1) William McLean 29 (school teacher), Catherine 22 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Odissa 3, Lizzie 1, Cramer 16 (at school)
• 1880(1): District 108 Franklin, Jackson County, Kansas (21/51 Jun 8) Sam Caufman 34 (carpenter), Francis 34 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Guy 5, P. G. Anderson 44 (brother-in-law – grandson of Thomas Keslar)
  • (2): District 122, Mission Creek, Wabaunsee, Kansas (6/8 Jun 10) William K. Beach 32 (framer), Flora B. 21 (great-granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Edna 1 (daughter), Jane 55 (mother), John M. 28 (brother)
  • (3): 14th Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah (16/45 Jun 4) William Anderson 21 (dealer in stock – grandson of Thomas Keslar)
  • (4): District 0058 Upper Tyrone, Fayette County, Pa (38/65 Jun 14) Benjamin Newcomer 45 (general merchant), Mary E. Newcomer 42 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Alice 20, Ida 18, George W. 15, Smith 13, Lauria 12, William 10, Daisy B. 7, Pearly 5, Bertha 3
  • (5): District 079 Waynesville Township, Warren County, Ohio (17/23 Jun 17) Jacob L. Anderson 36 (teamster – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah E. Anderson 32, May 13, Roy 11, Tessa 8, Minnie 5, George N. 4, Ina 1
  • (6): Wardentown, Westmoreland County, Pa (3/7 Jun 18) Delilah Curry 57 (widowed – daughter of Thomas Keslar), Sarah 32, Winfield 25
  • (7): Sewickly Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (7/67 Jun 2) Jerome Luke 36 (constable), Mary W. 35 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Grace 11, William 8, Winfield S. 5, Blanche 4, Charles 1
  • (8): District 119 South Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pa (31/62 Jun 14) William McLean 39 (school teacher), Catherine 32 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Harry L. 10, Sadie 7, Lulu 4, William Logan 18 (Catherine’s brother and grandson of Thomas Keslar)
  • (9): District 119 South Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pa (32/62 Jun 14) James Logan 28 (coal miner – grandson of Thomas Keslar)), Sarah 27, Odesa 7, Myrtle 5, Milton 3, William 6/12 (Dec)
  • (10): District 090, Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa (5/29 Jun 3) J. W. McLane 23 (blacksmith), Julia 24 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Gertrude 2, Thomas 9/12
• 1900(1): District 0177, Mission Creek, Wabaunsee, Kansas (6/8 Jun 10) W. K. Beach 52 (Nov 1846, farmer), Flora B. 41 (Apr 1850 – great-granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Edna 21 (Dec 1878, daughter, school teacher), Samuel 19 (Feb 1881, farmer)
  • (2): District 0070 Upper Tyrone, Fayette County, Pa (49/52 Jun 25) Benjamin Newcomer 66, Mary E. Newcomer 63 (11 children 9 children living – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), George W. 35, Daisy B. 27, Scott 12, Walter Jones 13 (grandson)
  • (3): District 057 Holton Township, Jackson County, Kansas (30/42 Jun 18) Jacob L. Anderson 57 (carpenter – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah E. Anderson 53, George B. 23, Ina M 20
  • (4): District 0058 Holton, Jackson County, Kansas (6/22 Jun 4) Samuel Caufman 54 (carpenter Mar 1846), Francis 54 (Jul 1845 – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Guy 25 (Jan 1875)
  • (5): Westmoreland County, Pa (17/22 Jun 8) Samuel Stewart 54 (car builder, May 1846), Sarah 53 (Dec 1846 – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (6): District 0134 Sewickly Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (40/51 Jun 15) Jerome Luke 56 (railroad foreman), Mary W. 54 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Charlie 21, James 17, Victor H. 15
  • (7): District 0102, Washington, Green County, Pa (12/18 Jul 9) William H. McLean 58 (preacher), Catherine 51 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Lulu 24
  • (8): District 0090, Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa (3/4 Jun 2) James Logan 46 (stage driver Sep 1853 – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah 44 (May 1856), Florence 14 (Feb 1886), Verona 12 (May 1888), Abegnado 10 (May 1890), Mary 7 (Aug 1892), Sadie 5 (Oct 1894), Irene 4 (Apr 1896), Canarisa G. 7/12 (Oct 1899)
  • (9): District 0091, Indian Creek, Westmoreland County, Pa (4/16 Jun 6) Wesley J. McLean 43 (blacksmith (Sep 1856), Julia 44 (Jan 1856 – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Thomas A. 20 (Aug 1879), Olive L. 19 (Mar 1881), Riley J. 16 (May 1884), Katie 14 (Apr 1886), Mattie W. 10 (Sep 1889), Devaux W. 8 (Oct 1891)
  • (10) District 0091, Indian Creek, Westmoreland County, Pa (1/16 Jun 1) William Logan 38 (grandson of Thomas Keslar), Annie J. 33, Jennie V. 8, Sarah E. 7, Darl B. 4, Ruth K. 5/12
• 1910(1): District 0086 Upper Tyrone, Fayette County, Pa (33/33 Apr 30) Benjamin Newcomer 75, Mary E. Newcomer 72 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Alice A. Boyd 49 (daughter), Robert H. Boyd 15 (grandson)
  • (2): District 056 Ward 1 Holton Township, Jackson County, Kansas (8/17 Apr 30) Jacob Anderson 67 (carpenter – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah E. Anderson 63
  • (3): District 0057 Holton Ward 2, Jackson County, Kansas (9/25 Apr 21) Samuel Caufman 63 (carpenter), Francis 64 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (4): Irwin, Ward 3, Westmoreland County, Pa (11/28 Apr 26) Samuel Stewart 63 (laborer, car factory), Sarah 63 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (5): District 0194 Sewickly Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (54/60 May 10) Thomas (?) Luke 66 (no occupation), Mary 64 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Victor 24
  • (6): District 0123, Waynesburg, Greene County, Pa (31/34 May) William H. McLean 68 (preacher), Catherine 61 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Lulu 33, C. Henry 3 (grandson)
  • (7): District 0116, Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/14 Apr 26) James J. Logan 56 (mail carrier – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Sarah 55, Sadie 16, Irene 14, Canarisa G. 9
  • (8): District 0073, Springfield, Fayette County, Pa (6/33 Apr 20) W. J. McLean 53 (blacksmith), Julia 53 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Mattie W. 20, Devaux W. 18
  • (9): District 0192, Scottdale, Westmoreland County, Pa (18/29 Apr 22) William Logan 41 (grandson of Thomas Keslar), Annie J. 43, Jennie V. 18, Sarah E. 17, Daral B. 14, Ruth K. 10, Edward M. 1
• 1920(1): District 0147, Mission Creek, Wabaunsee, Kansas (1/22 Jan 5) Flora Beach 60 (widow – great-granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Samuel K. 38 (farmer)
  • (2): District 0203 Ward 3 Scottdale Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (15/29 Jan 19) George W. Porter 52 (1868), Daisy B. 47, Carl W. 17, Hazel D. 13, Scott Newcomer 37 (brother-in-law), Mary E. Newcomer 82 (mother-in-law 9 granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (3): District 0060 Franklin, Jackson County, Kansas (12/20 Jan 12) Samuel Caufman 73 (carpenter), Francis 74 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (4): Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pa (10/29 Jan 8) Samuel Stewart 74, Sarah 74 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (5): District 0076, Cook, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/14 Jan 3) James J. Logan 68 (mail carrier, widower – grandson of Thomas Keslar), Canarisa G. 20
  • 1925(1): Kansas State Census Collection – 822 Ohio Avenue, Holton, Kansas 1925 Jacob K Anderson 82 (- grandson of Thomas Keslar), widower, birth year 1843
• 1930(1): District 0010, Mission Creek, Wabaunsee, Kansas (12/17 Apr 15) Flora Beach 70 (widow – great-granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Samuel K. 49 (farmer)
  • (2): District 0147 Scottdale Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (15/33 Apr 9) Walter H. Shaner 56, Pearl M. Shaner 55, Mary E. Newcomer 92 (mother-in-law – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (3): District 0012 Holton, Jackson County, Kansas (18/55 Apr 17) Francis Caufman 84 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Guy 54 (actor), Constance 50 (actress-daughter-in-law)
  • (4): District 0022, Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pa (8/25 Apr 14) James J. Logan 78 (store clerk – grandson of Thomas Keslar)
• 1940(1): District 70-72, Scranton, Osage, Kansas (10/14 Apr 23) James Tomson 65 (farmer), Jean 61, James Jr. 23, Flora Beach 81 (mother-in-law – great-granddaughter of Thomas Keslar), Sam 59 (brother-in-law)
  • (2): District 43-14 Holton, Jackson County, Kansas (1/30 Apr 5) Guy Caufman 65 (actor), Constance 49 (actress), Frances 94 (mother – granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)
  • (3): District 0152 Sewickly Township, Westmoreland County, Pa (54/60 May 10) Jerome Luke 86, Mary 83 (granddaughter of Thomas Keslar)