MICHAEL KESLER, son of David and Susannah (Nigh) Kesler, was born 5 Jul 1809 in Amanda Twp., Fairfield Co, Ohio. He died at his residence in Scott twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, on 7 Mar 1886. His sickness had confined him to his room for eight weeks and his bed for the last five weeks of his life. His body was laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery, an old pioneer graveyard, in Mahomet twp., also in Champaign County. Picture Michael was married to Eliza Ann Shoppell in Tarlton, Pickaway Co., Ohio, by Elijah Fields on 13 Oct 1831. Eliza, daughter of Jeremiah and Nancy (Robin) Shoppell, was born in Pickaway County 13 Jan 1816. She died on 3 Jul 1897 in Scott twp, Champaign Co., Illinois. Sometime before her death she had fallen and fractured her leg. Her funeral was held at the Methodist (M.E.) Church in Bondville. The service was conducted by the Rev. Wiley. Among other remembrances flowers were contributed by the W.C.T.U. She was buried beside her husband in Bethel Cemetery. Michael first appears in the records of Fairfield Co, Ohio, on 1 Mar 1822 when his Uncle Michael Nigh was appointed "the guardian of Michael Kestler, minor son of David." Michael probably spoke German at home and it is likely he did not learn English until he went to school. Even if this is not correct, he probably had a German accent. One of his granddaughters stated he was so "Pennsylvania Dutch he couldn't cry in English." After their marriage, Michael and Eliza took up residence in Salt Creek Twp., Pickaway Co. This township borders Fairfield County. Michael became involved in both church and civic affairs. In 1846 he was converted to and joined the M.E. Church at Tarlton under the preaching of Father Laws, Michael was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was raised a Master Mason of the Tarlton Lodge #104 on 31 Mar 1855. Sometime in the 1850s Michael moved his family to Fairfield Co., Ohio. He transferred his church membership to the Amanda circuit and his two eldest daughters were married in Fairfield County. In 1857, perhaps hearing of Illinois from his kinsmen and looking for better opportunity, Michael moved his family by covered wagon to Champaign Co., Illinois. His two eldest daughters who were married remained in Ohio. One Sunday during their trip to Illinois after a heavy rain the Kesler wagon slipped off the road. It was too much of a job for Michael, William his 14 year old son, and Joseph his 11 year old son to get the wagon back on the road. Michael walked down the road to a nearby church. He walked in during the service and made the Mason sign of distress. The male members of the congregation got up, helped Michael right his wagon, and sent him on his way. The Keslers first settled near Mahomet. Four years after they moved to Illinois the Civil War broke out. Both sons of Michael and Eliza served in the the Union army during the war. William served in Co. D, 3rd Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Joseph joined the army on 8 Aug 1862 in Champaign, Illinois, at the age of 16. He was assigned to Co. H, 125th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His unit went into camp across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, where they began their training. Measles broke out and Joseph caught them. He was put in a hospital in Cincinnati. Before he had completely recovered he was ordered back to his unit, had a relapse, and died at Nashville, Tennessee, on 7 Dec 1862. He is buried in the Nashville National Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee. It was during the 1860s that the Keslers moved to Scott Twp. They were among the first settlers of that twp. Michael was a farmer and in 1867 he purchased a farm in section 11. During this time he remained active in church and civic affairs. He transferred his church membership by letter from the Ohio conference to the Mahomet circuit. He continued his membership there until the formation of a class in Scott twp. He helped organize this and was an active member of the M.E. Church in Scott twp. until his death. He was also one of the trustees in charge of selling part of section 16 for the Township to raise money for the local schools. Michael's will is on file in the Champaign Co., IL, Probate Office, Case #1387 ½. After his death Eliza lived with her daughter Delila Hazen. Eliza was a very quiet person and she would spend most of her time in her room. She would sit in her rocking chair with her bible on her lap smoking her pipe. Her will is on file in the Champaign Co., IL, Probate Office, Case #2246. Of their five children who died in infancy Mary, Perry, Michael, and George are buried in Salt Creek twp., Pickaway Co., Ohio. Sarah is buried in Mahomet Cemetery in Champaign Co., Illinios.