Nathan G. Kesler
A.W. Bowen History of Montgomery County, Indiana p 1139
In many respects the career of Nathan G. Kesler, for
many decades one of
the progressive agriculturists and stock men of Montgomery Co, is
peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well defined purpose,
supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish in
the face of discouraging circumstances.
It is an example of triumph over obstacles, the winning of success by
honorable methods and as such may be safely followed by those whose life
work is yet to be accomplished.
He is a fine type of sterling pioneer, having invaded the forests of
this locality when settlers were none too numerous and when there was
much to be done before a comfortable home could rise and good crops he
reaped from the virgin soil, but he is a man who has never permitted
discouraging situations to influence him, but forged ahead despite of
them, and won not only material success, but the good will and esteem of
all who know him.
By his upright and honorable career as a general farmer and citizen he
has won the good will of his fellow citizens.
It is always his endeavor to advance in every possible way the public
good, and this cannot be too highly commended as it is only the narrow
minded man who makes his chief object the acquisition of wealth,
regardless of the rights and feelings of others.
Mr. K. was b. in Botetourt Co,
and Elizabeth (Graybill) Kesler
and grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Shearer) Kesler.
Ther were 10 ch. in the
family of whom Nathan G. was the fifth in order
of birth.
He was 8 years old when he accompanied his parents from the old family
homestead to Montgomery Co making that long overland journey by wagon,
at a time when wagon roads were few, when most streams were unbridged
and they crossed but one railroad on the entire journey.
Of this trip our subject recalls many interesting incidents, having a
good recollectino of the same. The family located in
the northeastern
part of Scott Twp, this county, where Benjamin Kesler
purchased 240
acres, a small part of which had been cleared.
Nearly everybody in this locality at that time lived in log cabins,
homes like the modern farm house were not to be found. Benjamin Kesler
set to work on his virgin ground with a will and soon had a good farm
developed and a comfortable home established, and here he spent the rest
of his life, meeting death sudenly, being killed on
the railroad in 1893.
He had devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. His wife
preceded him to the grave in 1886.
They were both members of the
10 children were born to them, named as follows: John M, who devoted his
life to farming but lived in Crawfordsville, d. about 1905, leaving a
widow who still lives in Crawfordsville; Elizabeth married Samuel T.
Keeney, moved to Iowa and later to Florida, where she died recently;
Catherine, widow of Jacob Himes, deceased, lives in the Northern Part of
Scott Twp; Solomon lives in Ladoga, In; Nathan G of this sketch; Samuel,
who d. in Apirl 1910, lived in ladoga,
left a widow but no living
children; Susan is the widow of Samuel C. Thompson and she lives with
her children near New Ross, this county; Mary is the wife of Washington
Neff and they live in Ladoga; Nancy married WIlliam Mangus and they live
near Whitesville; Jacob, the youngest lives on a farm near Ladoga.
Nathan G. Kesler grew to manhood on the home farm in
this county and
there worked when a boy, attending the district schools during the
winter months.
When 21 he began farming for himself on rented land, also farmed some on
his father's land.
In 1866 he married Mary Elizabeth Harshburger,
daughter of Samuel
Harshburger and wife.
Six children were born of that marriage, namely: Louie Lee lives with
her sister, Mrs. Hester near New Market, this county; Samuel B, who
remained un married, died in 1901; William Harry, who was in the
clothing business both at Jamestown and Ladoga, sold out his stores in
December 1912, is now engaged in buying and selling real estate, has a
fine home at Jamestown and has 3 sons; Sarah J. who married Charles
Buser lives in the northern part of Scott Twp. on a
farm and they have
two children, Cline and Bennie; John Milton who lives about six miles
So. of Crawfordsville on a farm married Nora Davidson
and they have
three sons,
and they live on a farm near the center of North line of Scott Twp. and
they have one son, Donald.
The mother of the above named children was called to her eternal rest in
1905, and in 1909 Nathan G. Kesler married for his
second wife, Mrs.
Rose (Frankebarger) Brookshire, widow of John Brookshire,
deceased.
Three children were born of her first union, namely; William lives on a
farm in the southern part of Scott Twp; Sarah is at home with her mother
and stepfather; Charles is a railway telegrapher and lives in
City
Nathan G. Kesler has farmed all his life in Scott
Twp.
Early in his career he bought a farm in the southern part of the
township and lived there for a time, a large part of which he divided
among his children. He has been a man of industry, sound judgement
and
enterprise and he farmed and raised stock on a large scale.
He is now living in the southereastern part of Sec.
11, Scott Twp.
He is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Ladoga, also a
stockholder in the Mont Co Agr. Soc. Politically, Mr.
K. is a Democrat
and has been active in the affairs of his party.
He was trustee of Scott Twp. for three terms, having been elected first
in 1880, again in 1882, and a third time in 1888.
He gave eminent satisfaction in this capacity.
He is a member of the Christian Church, while his wife holds membership
with the
--
Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG
~~
Nathaniel G. Kesler
1881 Montgomery County In History of H. W. Beckwith, p 427 (Chicago: HH
Hill)
Nathaniel G. Kesler, farmer and stock raiser, Ladoga,
the present
gentlemanly trustee of Scott township, is a son of Mr. Benjamin and
Elizabeth (GRAYBILL) Kesler. He was born in
January 8, 1838, and in 1847, with his parents, came to Scott township,
to business, has made a large property, and is now living on his fine
farm of 350 acres, just north of Ladoga, and each of his five sons are
owners of good farms. Nathaniel's farm contains 207 acres, and he has
just built on it a very fine and comfortable little residence. September
13, 1866, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Mr. Samuel and Elizabeth
(MYERS) HARSHBARGER, early pioneers of Scott township,
the place of her
birth and rearing. They have five children: Louie L., Samuel B., William
H., Sarah A. and John M. Mr. Kesler is one of the
leading men of his
township, and is engaged in farming and stock raising, as well as
filling the positions of trust elected to by his friends and constituents.
--
Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG
~~