"William was born in the town of Kessler in Troy Twp, Miami Co, Ohio. When he was a small child, his father William moved the family to Winamac, Pulaski Co, Indiana (according to family history). His father, William, died when William was "very young." William, age 10, is found in the 1870 Census at Cass Twp., White Co, IN, (Post Office: Monticello) residing with his Uncle Noah Rex, age 31, b. PA #51464847 and wife Christena, age 30, b. IN, daughter's Mary, age 7, b. IN, Rosa Jane, age 5, b. IN, and nephew Kesler, William, age 10, b. OH. (See photo of Census, arrow on left indicating William Kesler). This is the first time he is mentioned by name as William Kesler!

William grew up and met Sarah Smith. They married Nov 27, 1881, in her parent's home by Rev. Laush (See marriage record in Photos). Their first child, a daughter Emma, was born to them 9 Jan 1883. The next year they moved to Monon in White County where they settled and lived the rest of their lives.

William purchased 80 acres west of Monon. The land had two houses and an orchard. William, Sarah and little Emma lived in the log house on the northwest corner of the farm. In 1898, a new beautiful home was built for his growing family. The ground was farmed by the family for 83 years and the homestead remained in the family for 92 years. In 1931, his son, Harry, purchased 110 acres adjacent to his fathers on the north. Harry worked both farms until retiring.

United States Census, 1920-IMAGE:
William Kesler, age 61 b. IN, is residing with his wife Sarah Kesler, age 53 b. IL, along with their children, Harry, age 20, Goldie, age 18, Sylvia, age 16, Iva, age 14, and Ivan, age 11 (all children born in IN). Also, according to the handwritten Census record is listed William's brothers, Benjamin with family and Lonnie with family, and all stating that their parents were born in Indiana.
William and Sarah had 14 children, 8 sons and 6 daughters. Grandpa always ate pie for breakfast, along with bacon, eggs, biscuits, and potatoes. He had already been in the barn feeding livestock and milking cows, so by 6:00 a.m. it was time to eat and then to the fields to plow!

Mom told me that he often said - "I am Pennsylvania Dutch - that don't amount to much". To understand this statement from Grandpa, please go online to wikipedia.org for a full Dutch/German explanation.