BIO: Henry F. KESSINGER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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466  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

  HENRY F. KESSINGER is one of the most energetic, enterprising and 
prosperous citizens of Liberty township, Centre county. Not on the 
plains of affluence did he start out on life's journey, but in the 
valley of limited circumstances with the rough and rugged path of hard 
undertaking before him. He started on the ascent, worked his way 
steadily upward, climbing higher and higher until he stands on the 
mountain top of prosperity.
  Mr. Kessinger was born at Queen's Run, Clinton county, Penn., May 3, 
1856, a son of Jefferson and Fannie (Nestlerod) Kessinger, who were 
natives of Salona, Clinton county, and in that county their deaths 
occurred, the former being killed in a sawmill May 24, 1856, when our 
subject was only three weeks old, and the latter dying in 1857, at the 
age of twenty-eight years. In their family were three children: William 
F., a farmer and stone mason of Salona, Clinton county; Amanda, who 
died when quite young, of whooping cough; and Henry F., of this review. 
The paternal grandparents, Hunsecker Kessinger and wife, were pioneers 
of Clinton county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. 
Daniel and Margaret (Frey) Nestlerod, the maternal grandparents, were 
natives of Centre and Lancaster counties, Penn., respectively. 
Grandfather Nestlerod did in Clinton county; his wife passed away on 
the farm where our subject now resides.
  After the death of his father, Henry F. Kessinger was taken to the 
home of his maternal grandmother, with whom he resided until her death 
in 1882. During this time he worked for her until two years prior to 
her death, when he operated the farm on shares, and there continued to 
reside until 1883, when the place was sold, and he purchased his 
present valuable farm, which at that time was rented. Being a natural 
mechanic, he then turned his attention to the carpenter's and stone 
mason's trade, which he successfully followed for four years, although 
he had never served an apprenticeship to either. On the expiration of 
that period he removed to his farm, two years later erecting his 
handsome brick residence, and he has made many other valuable and 
useful improvements. In connection with general farming he has also 
engaged in the baling and shipping of hay and straw, selling sixty-four 
car loads during the past season; he also operates a steam cider press.
  On January 1, 1874, in Clinton county, Mr. Kessinger was married to 
Miss Annie Nestlerod, who was born in Centre county in 1860, a daughter 
of Daniel and Frances (Schwartz) Nestlerod. To this worthy couple have 
been born five children: William F., who assists his father in his 
business; Maggie, wife of Charles Ruppert, who is also connected with 
our subject in business in Liberty township; Hugh C., at home; Frank, 
who died May 15, 1896; and Sadie E., at home. They also have an adopted 
son, Henry Kessinger, at this writing a lad of fourteen years, who has 
found a pleasant home with them since he was six months old. He is an 
industrious, energetic boy, and prefers to be called by the name of his 
foster parents.
  Mr. Kessinger is a prominent member of the Republican party, and 
takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, always 
supporting those measures which tend to benefit the community. He has 
grown wealthy, prosperous and an honored citizen by the exercise of 
integrity, industry and intelligence. Although at the time of his 
marriage his capital consisted of but $5, through honorable business 
methods, he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune, to-day 
being worth between $20,000 and $30,000. He is a courteous, pleasant 
gentleman, widely and favorably known throughout the community, and 
well deserves the high regard in which he is universally held.