1.3.1.6.7.7 Anna Laura ‘Annie’ Kessler Hargett Florey (1904-1947)

Anna Laura ‘Annie’ Kessler married twice, first to Earl Fenton Hargett (15 Jun 1896-30 Oct 1984) on 27 Jul 1920 and then to Louis Florey (30 Oct 1907-5 Dec 1980). Annie and Earl’s first three children were Anna Elizabeth, Mary Catherine, and Irene Gertrude. Their fourth child, John Fenton Hargett was born on 13 May 1927 and died at home only one year and seven months later from pneumonia, on 10 Jan 1920.

The Hargett marriage did not survive, and Annie and Earl divorced in 1930. According to family lore, Earl was a very hard man who treated his wife badly and that he could be a “real bastard”. Based on available records, Annie apparently left Earl before John Fenton died in 1929 and moved to Baltimore because their last child, Charles Edward, was born in Baltimore on 9 Jul 1928.

The 1930 US Census, taken in April 1930, recorded that Anna was employed as a waitress in Baltimore and lived at 1723 Linden Avenue, while her son Charles Edward, who was not yet two years old, lived with Anna’s sister, Nellie Kessler Miss in Buckeystown, Maryland. The three oldest children were living with Earl’s parents, Lewis and Ella Hargett at 65 S. Market Street in Frederick. 

Earl filed for divorce in Baltimore City on 19 Sep 1930. In the filing he only mentions three of their five children, suggesting that he suspected that she had cheated on him: Elizabeth (8), Mary Catherine (6), and Irene Gertrude (5). Earl alleged that on May 29, 1927, Anna abandoned and deserted him without provocation. He claimed the desertion was final and that reconciliation was impossible, and an absolute divorce and full custody of the three children. Annie’s answer to the divorce bill of complaint stated there were actually five children born of the marriage, one of whom was deceased. She noted the youngest child was in her custody. She claimed the other three children had been with their paternal grandparents until recently. She alleged that Earl took the children not out of concern, but to support his legal allegations. She denied the abandonment, claiming instead that Earl was “brutal and cruel” and had repeatedly ordered her out of their home. 

After the divorce, Earl married Loriane Catherine Stotler who was born May 16, 1921, in Hagerstown, Maryland and died July 23, 2005, in Frederick, Maryland. Loraine was just one year older that Earl and Annie’s oldest daughter, Anna Elizabeth. Earl and Loraine had one son: Earl Fenton Hargett Jr. (25 Mar 1943).

It was reported that Annie’s three oldest children had no contact with her after that, but there are a couple of letters that she wrote to them. Annie subsequently married Louis Jacob Florey (30 Oct 1907-5 Dec 1980). She and Louis resided in Baltimore and parented three children, listed below.

Mary, Elizabeth, & Irene Hargett (1940)

Annie and Earl’s children:

1. Anna Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Hargett Hooper (21 Aug 1922-30 Nov 2016). Libby was age 94 when she passed on 30 Nov 2016. She lived in Frederick, MD and was married to Joseph O. Hooper who predeceased her July 9, 2000. They were married June 28, 1943. Libby retired from the Frederick Mutual Insurance Company after 42 years as secretary. She also served as hostess at the Peter Pan Restaurant. She was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ in Frederick, member of the Frederick Chapter #79 Order of the Eastern Star and the Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
2. Mary Katherine Hargett Main (4 Feb 1924-23 Jul 1995) 
   • Mary Elizabeth Main Abrecht (22 Mar 1942-15 Mar 2012), 69, of Frederick, passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at the University of Maryland Hospital. She was the wife of Marion Abrecht Sr., her husband of 49 years. Born March 22, 1942, in Frederick, MD, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Mary Main. Mary retired as office manager at the Giant Eagle on 7th Street. She enjoyed playing Bingo, spending time with her family, but most importantly being with her grandchildren. In addition to her loving husband Marion, she is survived by her two children, Margaret Elizabeth Kelly and fiancé Kenneth James of Frederick and Marion L. “Bimmie” Abrecht Jr. and wife Kathy of Frederick, three grandchildren, Lindsay Kelly, Richard Kelly and Ray Dorsey, three brothers, Charles Main and wife Teresa, Earl Main and wife Brenda and Roy Main Jr., one sister, Trudi Shaw and husband Terry, two aunts, Elizabeth Hooper and Irene Leatherman and husband Ralph and a god- son, Cody Lippart.
   • Charles Wesley ‘Pete’ Main (12 Dec 1946), married Teresa Degan
   • Gertrude A. ‘Trudi’ Main Shaw (29 Jan 1948), married Terry Shaw
   • Earl L. Main (3 Jun 1950), married Kathleen Bagby (22 Aug 1953-18 May 2005)
   • Roy Main Jr (6 Sep 1955), married Gail Mahlandt.
3. Irene Gertrude Hargett Leatherman (16 May 1925-25 Nov 2012). Irene, 87, of Frederick passed away on Sunday, 25 Nov 2012. She was married to Ralph C. Leatherman for 66 years. She was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Frederick. She was first employed at the Frances Scott Key Hotel as a waitress, later worked at Routzahn’s Department Store and finally retiring from National Geographic in Gaithersburg. In her retirement she enjoyed traveling, reading, and crocheting.
4. John Fenton Hargett (13 May 1927-10 Jan 1929) died at home of pneumonia at age 1 year and 7 months.
5. Charles Edward “Jack” Hargett Sr. (9 Jul 1928-14 Oct 2005) 

Anne and Louis Florey’s children:

1. Louis Jacob Florey Jr. (3 Jul 1938-10 May 1956)
2. Herbert Walker Florey (26 Apr 1938-living as of 5 May 2025)
3. Elouise C. Florey Burgess (31 Dec 1941-23 May 2015).

• • 1910: District 0047 Buckeystown, Frederick County, Md. (21/32 April 21) William A. Kessler 45 (laborer-odd jobs), Alberta G. 33, Blanche M. 16, Edgar F. 13, Nellie V. 12, Charles L. 9, Mabel L. 7, Anna L. 6, Paul 5/12
  • 1920: District 0054 Buckeystown, Frederick County, Md. (11/24 Mar 3) William A. Kessler 60 (painting), Alberta G. 43, Edgar F. 23 (painting), Charles L. 19, Mabel L. 16, Anna L. 15, Paul 10, William 6
  • 1930: District 0217, Baltimore City 1-250, Md. (4/39 Apr 5) Anna Hargett 25 (restaurant waitress) Note: Son Charles E. Hargett 1, living with Anna’s sister, Nellie Miss
  • 1940: 733 N. Fulton Avenue District 4-499, Baltimore City, Md. (37/45 Apr 27) Lewis J. Florey 33 (stock yards), Annie L. 34, Charles E. Hargett 11, Lewis J. Florey Jr. 3, Herbert Florey 23 months
  • 1950: 1517 Desoto Road, Baltimore, Md. (27/42 Apr 22) Carrie R. Florey 72, Lewis J. 42, Lewis Jr. 14, Herman W. 12, Eloise C. 8

1.3.1.6.7.1 Blanche Mae Kessler Schaeffer (1893-1969)

1.3.1.6.7.2 Edgar Franklin Kessler Sr. (1897-1966)

1.3.1.6.7.3 Nellie V. Kessler Miss (1898-1967)

1.3.1.6.7.4 Clara Elizabeth Kessler Stup (1899-1976)

1.3.1.6.7.5 Charles Lee ‘Charlie’ Kessler (1900-1949)

1.3.1.6.7.6 Mabel Lauretta Kessler Diller (1902-1968)

1.3.1.6.7.8 Paul Kenderson Kessler (1909-1972)

1.3.1.6.7.9 William Lawrence Kessler (1914-1975)