Samuel C. Kessler is numbered among the native sons of Miami county, his birth having occurred on the 24th of March 1847, on the farm where his brother John now resides. His father, Martin Kessler, was also a native of the county, his birth having occurred in 1816, on the farm which is the home of John Layman. The grandfather, John B. Kessler, was born in North Carolina and emigrated westward, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio. Here he secured three hundred and twenty acres of government land and became one of the successful and enterprising farmers of his community. He was also a recognized leader in public affairs and contributed largely to the substantial improvement of this section of the state. He aided in laying out roads, in building schools and served as a justice of the peace for many years, and was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. Thus he contributed to the moral, social, material and intellectual welfare of the Community. He died at the advanced age of eighty-three years, respected by all who knew him.

Martin Kessler, the father of our subject, was reared under the parental roof and married Anna Hoover, whose birth occurred April 3, 1838. Her father, Solomon Hoover, was born near Frederick, Miami county in 1795, and her mother, Barbara Hoover, was born in Miami county, in 1800. In the family of Martin Kessler there were born eleven children, namely: William H. H., who was born June 13, 1839, and is a physician at West Milton; Susan E., born September 7, 1840, is the wife of Perry Kerr, of Dayton, Ohio; Daniel S., born June 18, 1842, is living in West Milton; John O., born July 31, 1844; Samuel C., of this re-view; Solomon W., born April 8, 1849, and died in 1887; Sarah M., born March 7, 1851, is the wife of James Cress, of Union township; Martha E., born September 17, 1854, became the wife of Rufus P. Davis, of Troy, and died in 1893; Martin W., born June 2, 1857, is now engaged in the coal business in Troy; Webster, born June 19, 1859, is living on the old home farm; and Elizabeth B., born September 20, 1862, is a resident of West Milton. Martin Kessler died in the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, July 23, 1863, and his wife passed away January 4, 1892.

Mr. Kessler, whose name introduces this review, spent his childhood and youth in his father's home, where he early learned habits of industry and economy that have proved of incalculable benefit in his business career. When twenty-two years old he was married and removed to a farm in Concord township, Miami county, where he remained for one year, when he returned to Monroe township and rented the Patty farm for three years. On the expiration of that period he purchased the farm which has since been his home, and the many excellent improvements upon the place indicate his progressive methods and his careful supervision.

Mr. Kessler was married March 20, 1869, to Miss Martha A. Macy, a native of Monroe township, born April 13, 1851, a daughter of Enoch and Eliza Macy. Enoch Macy was born in Monroe township in 1826, and died February 20, 1894. The mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1826, and is still living, in this township. Two children have been born to them: Ida, now the wife of Charles Pearson, of Monroe township; and Dora, wife of Freeman Pearson, a photographer of Tippecanoe City.

In 1898 Mr. Kessler was elected trustee of Monroe township for a term of three years and has been a school director for several years, his duties being discharged with promptness and in a creditable manner. In politics he is a Republican and socially he is connected with Stillwater Lodge, I. O. O. F., of West Milton, and religiously with the Christian church. His life has been quietly but honorably passed and he has gained the respect and friendship of many citizens of his community.