C. E. Kessinger, who has for many years been successfully identified with
the agricultural and live-stock interests of Macoupin county, was born in
Bird township, January 16, 1852. He is a son of John and Eliza (Adams)
Kessinger, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the former in 1825, and the
latter in 1827. Mrs. Kessinger was a daughter of Horatio and Cynthia (Mure)
Adams and came with her parents to Macoupin county when she was a child.
John Kessinger grew to maturity in his native state and arrived in Morgan
county, Illinois, in 1847. After working for a year at farm labor he came to
Macoupin county and secured employment for three years with farmers of this
county. He then purchased eighty acres of land on section 15, Bird township,
but changed his place of residence several times until 1872, when he located
permanently on section 13. He was very successful as a farmer and became a
large landowner, gaining recognition as one of the leaders of the community.
Politically he was an earnest supporter of the democratic party and
religiously he was actively identified with the Methodist church. He died in
1890 and his wife was called away in 1879.
The Kessinger family is
of German descent. Ludwick Kessinger, the first of the family to arrive in
America, was born on the River Rhine and his wife was Eve Greenwald. Solomon
Kessinger, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania
and moved to Kentucky early in his life. His son, Lynn, was born in Kentucky
and died there at the advanced age of ninety-three years. In the family of
John and Eliza Kessinger were the following children: P. W., a resident of
Carlinville; C. E., of this sketch; Harriet, the widow of Cicero Solomon; W.
IT, who lives in Bird township; Cynthia, who married James Sells, of Denver,
Colorado; Lauretta B., the wife of Arthur Wells, of San Luis Valley,
Colorado; J. P., who makes his home in Carlinville; and M. M., of Alton,
Illinois. The mother of these children was twice married, her first husband
being Bird Peebles. To this union one child, Horatio B., was born. He is now
a resident of Bird township.
Mr. Kessinger, whose name introduces
this sketch, attended the common schools and enjoyed advantages of early
training, which have been of great assistance to him in meeting the
responsibilities of life. He remained with his parents until twenty-two
years of age and then engaged in farming in Western Mound township. After a
few years he located on section 13, Bird township, and can claim one of the
most attractive properties on this section, everything about the place
indicating thrift and progress. He engages in general farming and is meeting
with highly gratifying success.
On the 28th of December, 1873, Mr.
Kessinger was married to Miss Mary Love, who was born in Bird township in
1854, a daughter of Samuel and Minerva Love. The father is said to have been
the first white child born in Macoupin county. He spent his entire life as
an agriculturist in this county and died September 29, 1891. There were nine
children in his family, namely: John J., who is now engaged in farming in
Bird township; James Madison, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. C. E. Kessinger;
Newton, also deceased; Ada, who married Frank M. Washburn, of Bird township;
Nettie, deceased; Adela and George, both of whom are at home; and Walter,
who is deceased. The parents of these children were both members of the
Baptist church. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kessinger: Eva
May, Harriet and William P.. all of whom are deceased; Gertrude, who is the
wife of Walker Cundell, of Bird township; James N., of Carlinville; and
Fred, at home.
Religiously Mr. Kessinger is a member of the
Methodist church while his wife is an adherent of the Baptist denomination.
They are both active workers in advancing the welfare of the section with
which they have been closely identified for many years. Politically he gives
his support to the democratic party but not from any desire to hold office,
as his time and attention are mainly devoted to his family and his farm. He
represents a high type of American citizen and, being a man who has
unfalteringly met the problems of life, he fully merits the respect in which
lie is held by his neighbors and friends.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 125-127.
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