Kessler, George Washington, 1876-1933

KESSLER, WATTS, HEISIG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 28, 1933:

GEORGE W. KESSLER DIED SUDDENLY
Was In His Usual Health Sunday Forenoon, Ate Hearty Meal at Noon

This community was shocked and saddened when the sad news came Sunday evening of the death of George W. Kessler. He was apparently in his usual health during the forenoon Sunday and ate a hearty meal at noon. In the afternoon he complained of pains in his chest, and later a doctor was called who gave him some medicine to relieve him, but he passed away suddenly at about four o’clock. His death coming as it did just a week and a day after the sudden death of his brother, Andrew Kessler, makes the loss doubly felt.

Mr. Kessler was born at Duncannon, Pennsylvania, on January 3, 1876. When he was about two years old, his parents moved to Dexter, Iowa, where they lived for a few years, coming from there to Rock Valley in 1885. Mr. Kessler continued to make Rock Valley his home since that date.

His father died when he was a young man and he with his younger brothers were left to care for the family. They started a livery business in Rock Valley when George, the oldest brother, was seventeen years old, and continued this business successfully for about twenty years. For twelve years Mr. Kessler was employed by the Standard Oil Company as salesman in this vicinity. In recent years, he has been in the insurance business.

Mr. Kessler was a man who was highly thought of by all who knew him. He was a man of friendly disposition and always had a happy word of greeting to all whom he met. All who knew him were his friends. He was kind and thoughtful in his home life and his first ambition was to provide well for the happiness and welfare of his family. He was a man who will be greatly missed in this community.

He leaves his wife, two sons, Marzo and Junior, and one daughter, Mrs. Howard Corwin, all of Rock Valley. Besides other relatives he also leaves one brother, Howard, of Murdo, S.D., and one sister, Mrs. Jennie Hodge, of Fairview, Okalhoma, all of whom were here for the funeral services, which were held at the home Wednesday afternoon, Rev. G. A. Tyler giving the funeral address, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery.

Other relatives from a distance who were present at the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Raders, of Lena, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heisig, of Morristown, S.D.; Mrs. Wm. Brocke, of Tucson, Arizona; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Beenan of Renwick, Iowa; Miss Loraine Heisig of Iowa City; Mr. and Mrs. B. O. Kessler, of Sioux City; and Mr. and Mrs. L. Schlecty of Fowler, Colorado.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Kessler, George W., b. 3 Jan 1876, d. 23 Jul 1933, Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley IA.

His death certificate has George Washington Kessler, insurance agent, wife Ida Kessler; born January 3, 1876 in Duncannon, Pennsylvania; parents George Washington Kessler, born in Germany, and Susan Watts, born in Pennsylvania; died at 4:30 p.m., July 23, 1933; cause, coronary sclerosis and thrombosis, pulmonary edema.

His FindaGrave page adds two siblings, Jacob S. Kessler (1867-1907) and Frederick J. Kessler (1868-1895); his wife, Ida Mabel Heisig Kessler (1886-1965); and one of his sons, Marzo Virgil Kessler (1909-1956).

His World War I draft registration card (September 1918) describes him, at age 42, as short, medium build, blue eyes, bald.