THE CLARENCE P. GESSNER FAMILY

Clarence Peter Gessner was born May 2, 1898. He was the youngest son of Philip and Amelia (Drackert) Gessner, grandson of Micheal Gessner, great-grandson of Joseph Gessner. He attended school at the Gessner one-room schoolhouse. He married Gladys Eis, daughter of Calvin and Izoa (Glore) Eis. They set up housekeeping on the Eis home farm where their first son, Warren Dale, was born on February 13, 1921. He was named for President Warren G. Harding but the recorder's error changed his middle name from Gale to Dale on his birth certificate. After Clarence's parents moved to Florida, his sister, Clara Morey lived on the Gessner farm. After she left, Clarence moved to the home farm where he spent the remainder of his lifetime. A second son, Robert Lee was born February 23, 1926. A family history of Warren appears elsewhere in this book. Robert graduated from Florida High School and served in the army in World War II. He married Marie Flory of Jewell and they built a home in Independence, Ohio, where they still live. Their children are Richard, Philip, Nancy, Vicki, and Kathy. Vicki married Albert Singer and they live on the Singer farm near Ney, Ohio. Bob and Marie's grandchildren are Johanna and Melissa.

[Photo, p. 210] Gessner Farm

[Photo, p. 211a] Threshing at the Gessner Farm

[Photo, p. 211b] Clarence Gessner and Warren Gessner

Clarence and Gladys were divorced in 1929 and he married Lavina Agler on February 3, 1932. Two children were born to this union - Cornie Lu on February 22, 1936, and Gary Eugene on December 11, 1944.

Cornie Lu married Franklin Crossland of Napoleon and their children are: Joy, Kevin, and Lisa. The Cross-lands built their home in Defiance, Ohio, where they now live.

Gary married Linda Brink of Holgate in 1966 and their son, Chad Michael, was born in March, 1974. Gary farmed the home farm after graduating from Florida High School but gave that up to take full-time employment at Campbell Soup Co.,

Napoleon. Gary and Linda live on the Giffey farm in Pleasant Township. Clarence Gessner continued to farm the home farm until his death on February 11, 1968. His widow, Lavina, lives on the farm and her brother, Larry Agler, farms the farm.

Submitted by Mrs. Warren Gessner