Ch 8 – 1.3.4 George Kesler or Keslar (1776-aft. 1840)

1.3.4 George Kesler or Keslar (Kesler and Keslar lines)

George Kesler (b: 21 Apr 1776-d: 16 Dec 1840), fourth child of Andreas Kessler/Keslar, was born in Jefferson, Maryland on 21 Apr 1776 and died on 16 Dec 1840 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania at the age of 64 years. He married Elizabeth Jacob (b: 25 Feb 1773-d: 3 Apr 1861) on 22 Oct 1798 in Frederick County, Maryland. His father, Andreas, had relocated to Westmoreland County, Pa in 1796 and that likely influenced George and Elizabeth’s decision to relocate to western Pennsylvania.

George and Elizabeth had seven children from 1797 through 1819.  Many descendants in this line eventually migrated from Fayette County, Pennsylvania to various Ohio locations including Henry, Sandusky, Lucas County, and Columbus. They adapted their surname over time to either Kesler or Keslar from the Kessler immigrant spelling.

Children of George and Elizabeth:

• 1.3.4.1 Jonathan Kessler (2 Feb 1797-17 Oct 1880) spelled his last name with the double “s.” He was likely born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but died in Sandusky, Ohio. His descendants resided primarily in Ohio over the years.
• 1.3.4.2 Andrew Keslar (8 Jun 1801-8 Mar 1884) – as discussed in his detailed biography, it is not 100% clear if Andrew is actually George’s son or if Andreas was his father. I do not believe that he is son of Andreas even though one account suggests otherwise. From a timing perspective, it is more logical that he was actually one of George’s sons. Perhaps he was a favorite of Andreas and that led some to believe that Andrew was Andreas’ son, but Andreas’ already had a son named Andrew Kessler (1770-1860) who took over the Jefferson, Maryland family farm after his father moved west.
• 1.3.4.3 Ann Kesler (abt. 1804-9 Sep 1895) was born in Fayette County and died in Saltlick at the age of 91. Little information is available about Ann. It is possible that she married, making it difficult to locate her in 1850 and later U.S. census information.
• 1.3.4.4 Elizabeth Kesler (15 Dec 1807-23 Mar 1891) married Isaac Hartman in 1826, and they had six children, most of whom moved to or were born in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Elizabeth, Nancy, Eleanor, Mariah and George were all living with their father in Saltlick Township in 1850, according to the 1850 U.S. Census.
• 1.3.4.5 Nancy Elizabeth Kesler (abt. 1810-aft. 1860).
• 1.3.4.6 Eleanor Kesler (1812-30 Apr 1862 Saltlick Township).
• 1.3.4.7 Mariah Kesler (abt. 1815-aft. 1880) was living with her brother Andrew (1.3.4.2). The fact that she is listed as Andrew’s sister gives additional credence to the idea that Andrew was the son of George Kesler rather than Andreas.
• 1.3.4.8 George Kesler (abt. 1819-aft. 1850).

US Census Details:

• 1790: Apr 1791 George, son of Andreas was only 14 in 1790. So might be son of Johannes. Two possibilities: …. George Keisler (p. 41/61 – 235-246) 2 males age 15 or older, & 1 female. …. George Kepler (p. 48/61 – 249-250) 2 males age 15 or older, & 1 female.
• 1800: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pa. (p. 8/14 dd mmm) Andw Keppl (Kesler) males 16-25: 3 (George, Peter, William, Thomas ????) males 45+: 1 (Andreas) females 16-25: 2 females 45+: 1 (Mary)
• 1810: Saltlick Township, Fayette County, Pa. (p. 9/12) George Kessler 2 male<10 = Jonathan (1797) and Andrew (1801) 1 male 26-44 = George (1776) 4 females<10 = Ann (1804) & Elizabeth (1807 Nancy (?) and ? 1 female 26-44 = wife Elizabeth Jacob (1798)
• 1820: Saltlick Township, Fayette County, Pa. (p. 9/12) George Kessler 1 male<10 = George 1 male 10-15= Andrew (?) 1 male 16-25=Jonathan (1797) 1 male 26-44 = George (1776) 4 females<10 =Nancy (1810) Eleanor ( 1812) Mariah (1815) and ? 2 females 10-15=Elizabeth & Ann 2 females 16-25=Susan & ? 1 female 26-44 = wife Elizabeth Jacob (1798)
• 1830: Salt Lick Township, Fayette County, Pa. (3/20) George Kesler, –1 male under 5
  –1 male 10-14 (1.3.4.7 George Jr?) –1 male 20-29 –1 male 50-59 (1.3.4 George) –1 female under 5 –1 female 10-14 (1.3.4.6 Maria?) –3 females 15-19 (1.3.4.6 Maria, 1.3.4.5 Eleanor, & 1.3.4.4 Nancy?) –3 females 20-29 (1.3.4.4 Nancy, 1.3.4.3 Elizabeth, & 1.3.4.2 Ann?) –1 female 50-59 (1.3.4a Elizabeth) –1 female 70-79 (total of 14 people)
• 1840: Salt Lick Township, Fayette County, Pa. (3/24) George Kesler –1 male 20-29 (1.3.4.7 George) –1 male 60-69 (1.3.4 George) –2 females 5-9 (?) –1 female 10-14 (1.3.4.6 Maria?) –4 females 20-29 (1.3.4.4 Nancy, 1.3.4.3 Eleanor, & Mariah?) –1 female 60-69 (1.3.4a Elizabeth) –1 female 80-89 (Lives next door to Samuel Kesler)
• 1850: Salt Lick Township, Fayette County, Pa. (9/22 25 Sep) George Kesler 72 (farmer), Elizabeth 74, Elizabeth 42, Nancy 40, Eleanor 38, Mariah 35, & George 32