Obituary of Wm. Layfeyette Kessler, Labette County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

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THE ALTAMONT JOURNAL, March 1924

Obituary of WM. LAFAYETTE KESSLER

Pioneer Altamont Resident
Wm. Lafayette Kessler was born in Rachistor Indiana, December 7,1846 and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C.E. Underhill, of Altamont, Kansas, March 19,1924 at 40 minutes past 5 o'clock in the evening, aged 77 years, 3 months and 2 days. His young life was spent in the state of his birth.
On December 17,1865 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah Jane Windbigler and came to Kansas in 1874 taking a homestead 12 miles south of Altamont where they resided until the year of 1896 when they took up their residence in Altamont. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom are living: Mrs. Zora Underhill, Jerry, Otis and Harley Kessler of Altamont; Gus and Walter of Edna and Mrs. Bessie Moore of Newton, Kansas. All were with him in his last earthly hours.
When this country was in peril in the 60's, he responded to its call and joined C.A. 155 Indiana Infantry.
Mrs. Kessler proceeded him to the promised land about a year ago. Two children, John Henry and Charles also preceeded him to the Great Beyond. He was the only son of a family of five children, of which only one sister remains. In 1886 he was converted and united with the M.E. church in Cecil, Kansas. Mr. Kessler had come to that age at which he ceased to live in the present. When we called upon him at his home he spoke of the present in tears; and of the past as the by-gone and happy days when Mrs. Kessler was living and their family about them. But of the future he spoke with the stimulating hope which heaven only can
give. During his last illness he talked much of the home not made with hands and the happy meeting of loved ones there. Amoung the last acts of his life was a prayer that all his family would some day be united.
He leaves to mourn his departure 7 children, 21 grandchildren, 21 great grand children and one sister, Mrs. Maggie Brady of Wichita and many friends.
The funeral was held at the M.E. church at 2 p.m. Friday. The service was conducted by the Rev. Geo. O. Hunter. The remains were laid to rest in the Altamont cemetery beside his wife.
[Comment: not a part of the obituary, his parents were: John M Kessler & Melinda (Preston) Harriman Kessler]

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