OBIT: Matthias KESSLER, 1903, White Township, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, April 10, 1903 OBITUARY Matthias Kessler, who died at his home in White township one day last week, was born in Blair county, June 29, 1820. In 1841 he married Nancy Coleman to whom was born seven children, three of whom are still living. About 1850 he came to Cambria county and located on a farm near Fallen Timber where he lived at the time of his death. His church relations began about 1858; he being one of the first members and a very active trustee of the U. B. Church at Fallen Timber of what was known as Fiske. His Christian life was marked with activity and his face was a familiar one in the church. As a trustee he served almost continually to within a few years of his death. His first wife having died some years previous he was married to Elizabeth Hawk in 1861. From this union seven children were born, six of whom survive. Sept. 2, 1864 he listed in Co. I, 205 Reg. Penna. Infantry, Volunteers and served until he was honorably discharged June 2, 1865. During his army service he was in the battle of Ford Stedman and also before Petersburg, where he was wounded. In 1897 he was married a third time to Mrs. McKee who survives him. Mr. Kessler had sixty-four grandchildren, fifty still alive as well as twenty-eight great grandchildren. One brother, eighty years of age, still lives in Indiana county. Mr. Kessler was a well preserved man, seeing but little sickness until his last illness. He lived a long and useful life, seeing our country in strife then enjoying the peace and prosperity which his own hand had helped to bring about. The funeral services were held in the U. B. Church by Rev. A. L. Burling.