Miami Union

August 31, 1911 

KESSLER, D. B. - D. B. Kessler of West Milton, one of the best known men in Miami county, died very suddenly in Piqua, last Friday evening.  Mr. Kessler and son V. M. had been engaged in the sale of lightning rods and had been canvassing in the vicinity of Piqua for several days.  They did not go out on Friday on account of the rain, but during the afternoon the son decided to go home and prevailed on his father to do likewise but as he wished to do some trading on market Saturday, decided to stay over night and after supper went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kiser on Harrison street, where he had a room and visited with the family until bed time.  As the family were preparing to retire Mrs. Kiser lighted a lamp for Mr. Kessler but noticing that he made no more effort than to remove his shoes turned around and as she did so noticed he was ill, when Mr. Kessler raised his hand to his breast and expired without even uttering a word.  A physician was called but could only pronounce the man dead.  Coroner S. C. Ullery was notified and going to Piqua Saturday morning held a post mortem assisted by Dr. Funderberg.  The verdict was that death was occasioned by acute indigestion.  As ice cream had been eaten it was thought that ptomaine poisoning might have followed but this was not the case.  Mr. Kessler was born in Miami county in June 1841, being over 70 years of age at his death.  For years he had been in the lightning rod manufacturing business with his son, V. M. Kessler and is well known to the farmers of Miami and surrounding counties.  He was a member of the West Milton Tent K. O. T. M. and the I. O. O. F. lodge.  Mr. Kessler is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters.  The funeral services were held from his late home in West Milton Monday afternoon.  The I. O. O. F. of which the deceased was a member attended in a body.  Interment in Riverside cemetery at West Milton.

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