Frank Kessler of Belle Vernon

FRANK KESSLER - BELLE VERNON
 From:  Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County by Gresham and
Wiley, 1889, p354
        Frank Kessler, one of Belle Vernon's industrious citizens and a faithful
soldier in the late war, was born in Allegheny county, Penna, March 12,
1838. He is a son of John Kessler and Lavinia McClain Kessler.
        John Kessler was born in Westmoreland county, and died in about 1848. He
married Miss Lovence McClain, daughter of Samuel McClain, of German
descent and was a soldier in the War of 1812. John Kessler was of Swiss
extraction and his father was a native of Lancaster county, Penna.
        When Frank Kessler was ten years of age, both of his parents died, and
he was taken and reared by his grandfather, Samuel McClain. Frank Kessler
was educated in the common schools; at nineteen years of age he engaged
with George Whiting to learn the carpenter's trade.
        After remaining for some time with his trade, he enlisted in 1861 for
three months in Company D, First Virginia (afterwards West Virginia)
Cavalry. At the expiration of his three month term he re-enlisted and
entered the Forty-sixthy Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. He was with
his regiment in all its battles, and was with Sherman on his "March to
the Sea" and with him in his Atlanta campaign. He was discharged in
August, 1865. 
        He was married in 1862 to Miss Eliza, daughter of Kinney Harris and
Rachel Burgar Harris, the former a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a
son of Daniel Burgan, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded at the
battle of Brandywine, the latter was born in Westmoreland county. 
        Mr and Mrs Kessler are the parents of four children: Mary E, Samuel A
(died in infancy), Florence L and Harry Lee. 
        Mr Kessler located in North Belle Vernon, where he engaged in
carpentering and boat-building, and in this business he is at present
engaged. He has held all the offices of the borough, and discharged their
duties in a very satisfactory manner.