John Martin Keesler

KEESLER, RICHEY, EWING

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 11/12/2014 at 11:31:14

A short article in last week's Free Press announced the death of Martin Keesler, an old and highly respected former citizen and soldier of Adams County, who passed away Tuesday, February 7, 1922, at Iola, Kansas. The body was brought to this city, his old home, Thursday evening of last week, accompanied by his son Sam and daughter, Mrs. Jennie Daggett and the funeral was held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the First Baptist Church, the services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. S. D. Holden, with interment in Forest Hill Cemetery, beside his wife who passed away November 29, 1918, in this city. John Martin Keesler was born in Vermillion County, Indian February 17, 1840, and was aged 81 years, 11 months, and 20 days. He grew to manhood in the vicinity of his birth and when the call came in 1861 for volunteers in the Union Army, Mr. Keesler enlisted September 24, 1861, as a private in Co. E. 30th Reg. of the state of Indiana. He served four years and one month, receiving his honorable discharge in October 1865. He was married to Miss Mary Ellen Richey April 11, 1867, at Mayville, Indiana and to them four children were born, Charles of this county, Perry of Mispah, Montana, Mrs. Jennie Daggett and Sam of Iola, Kansas, who survive their parents with eleven grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Keesler removed to Cherryvale, Kansas, where they resided for a time later at Nickerson, Kansas and came to Adams County in 1888 where they resided for a number of years on their farm near Carl, Iowa, removing to Corning, shere the wife and mother passed away as stated above. He with his two children removed to Iola over a year ago, shere he was tenderly cared for in the house of the devoted daughter, passing to the beyond peacefully, ready and anxious to go. Thus another of the old boys in blue have responded to the last taps, his work is finished and he is at rest.
Adams County Free Press, February 18, 1922, page 14