You will see periodic references in the following photos to "Aunt Kathryn". Dave Kester was not sure at the time of this contribution exactly who this individual might be. Here is one possibility and, even though there are several holes in this scenario, it may be the best one we'll ever find. In early 2004, Dave's cousin June Howard found an 1880 census report for the Spink family in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. Dave did know that they had briefly lived there, as their two youngest sons, Alfred Jr. and Jessie F. Spink ,were born there in 1876 and 1878, respectively. The report also lists three older children, presumably all from Clara's first mariage to Edward Musselman. Sandwiched in between Otto, born 7 Nov 1869 and dave's grandmother, Clara May, born 19 oct 1871 is a "Katie" (listed as age 9 in 1880) who must have been born about 1870. The problem is that there has never been any mention of her. Even Edward's letter of March 26, 1871 mentions only his son, Otto, since his daughter, Selma, died in 1870 and his third child, Clara May, would not be born until seven months after the letter. A child born 9 months after Otto would have a birthdate of August 1870, too late for the 1870 census. Perhaps there was a "Kathryn Musselman" whose existence at this point we can only infer.

Alfred B. and May (Musselman) Kester
September 19, 1926

Alfred Kester with his dog "Jigs"

Alfred B. Kester as a Young Man

Alfred B. and May (Musselman) Kester
About 1940

L to r: Alfred and May (Musselman) Kester, Ed Francke, "Aunt Kathryn", Blanche Kester, Nell Musselman
Clara Francke (May's mother) on the porch
Ruth Kester at Age Three Weeks Asleep in the House
September 1897

Gordon Kester

Blanche Kathleen Kester
At Age Six Months

Blanche Kester and "Aunt Kathryn"
About 1898

Edward "Ted" Kester and Leola VanOrman
1928

Edward "Ted" and Leola (VanOrman) Kester
With Daughter Ruthie Kester
1930

Ruth V. Kester (left) and Unknown Friends

Front, l to r: Ted, Gordon and Blanche Kester
With Unknown Friends

Three Generations of Kesters
Mary Musselman Kester, Edward Musselman Kester and David VanOrman Kester (Our Contributor)
1944

Clara May (Musselman) Kester and David Kester
1948

May Musselman and Six Grandchildren
L to r: Helen Hottenstein, Mary Kester, Jack Kester, Sally Kester, Ruthie Kester
Dave Kester in front