THE JOSEPH GESSNER FAMILY

Children of Joseph Gessner. Front row, left to right: Griger Gessner, Eve Gesser, Micheal Gessner, Eva Gessner; second row, left to right: Mary Gessner Reily, John Gessner, Kate Gessner Munford, Casper Gessner.

Joseph Gessner was born in Germany in 1843. The family is unable to find the location or the name of his wife. Two children, Micheal and Eve were born in Germany and came to the United States in the 1840's with their parents. They settled in Seneca County, Ohio. In all, eight children were born to them: Micheal, Griger, John, Casper, Mary, Eve, Kate, and Eva. Mary married a Mr. Reily and settled in the Carey area. Kate married a Mr. Munford and lived in Fostoria. This whole family was killed in an explosion in their home. There are no records of the marriages of Eve and Eva. Griger settled in the Hicksville area on a homestead farm. His son, Riley resided there until his death leaving his daughter, Nellie, who, at the age of 75, still maintains her home there.

John settled in the area around Carey and Casper owned and operated a hotel in Fostoria, Ohio. Micheal, the eldest, was born June 18, 1830, in Germany. In December, 1851, he married Magdalena Vesper who was born in

Germany on February 29, 1830. She also came to America and settled in Seneca County. They came to Flatrock Township and settled on the homestead farm in Section 21, Road 16 just south of Road J. The Gessner schoolhouse sits on part of this farm, which is now owned by Diania Gessner, wife of Earl Gessner grandson of Micheal. Six children were born to Micheal and Magdalena. Louisa Ann on September 28, 1852. No records concerning her can be found. Elizabeth was born June 3, 1854; Mary was born February 6, 1861; John was born September 27, 1863. John died at the age of four years and is buried in an unmarked grave in Cole Cemetery; Philip was born March 12, 1867, and William was born April 27, 1873.

Micheal enlisted in the Union Army on October 7, 1864, and was discharged May 31, 1865. At one time he was postmaster of the Village of Florida. He served as Flatrock Township Trustee from 1901 to 1906. He was a farmer and thresher and drove the hearse for funerals. There are those who still remember the old gentleman sitting tall on the cab driving the high stepping black beauties.

Philip Gessner married Catherine Amelia Drackert who was the granddaughter of Andrew Scharff who was born July 19, 1782, and Barbara (Stark) Scharff who was born September 5, 1797, in Bairn, Germany. Their children were John Drackert born August 8, 1815, in Dormstadt, Germany, and died July 16, 1894, and Mary Drackert nee Scharff born April 25, 1825, in Baiern, Germany, married April 1, 1857, and died August 8, 1898. Philip and Amelia bought eighty acres in Section 21, Flatrock Township. They lived on this farm until 1919 when they moved to Florida. They purchased another eighty acres in Section 16, Flatrock Township. This is now the property of Don. E. Eberle. Philip served as councilman in the village of Florida and was elected a Flatrock Township Trustee in 1932. He served several terms and often recalled having to handle the welfare doles in the depression years. Amelia died in 1936. Several years later, Philip married Estelle Andrews of Florida who survived him. Philip died December 14, 1945.

The children of Philip and Amelia Gessner were Alan, Bertha, Clara, and

Clarence. Alan married Margaret Kehn in 1922 and they settled in Monroe, Michigan, where his widow still lives. Alan died in 1951. His children are Richard and James.

Bertha married Ernest Frederick in 1911 and they settled on the eighty acres purchased by Philip in Section 16, Flatrock Township. Their children are: Alberta who married Gershal Andrew; Lawrence who lives in Defiance; and Clyde whose home is in Ayersville. Bertha died in 1973 and Ernest in 1969.

Clara married Charles Morey in 1913. Charles was a railroader, farmer, and mason. They moved from Flatrock Township to Napoleon where they now live and Chuck is employed as a building inspector. Their children are Helen who married Virgil Rowe and moved to Toledo, Ohio, and Robert who lives in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Clarence married Gladys Eis of Holgate. A history of his family is contained in this book.

Elizabeth Gessner, daughter of Micheal, married James Wilson and they farmed and settled in the Stanley area. They were the parents of several children.

Mary Gessner married John Dancer and they farmed in the Okolona area. She died at an early age. Their children were Della who married John Rettig and Emma who married Ted Shively.

William married Ida Clark and they bought the original Gessner home farm where they lived their lifetime. Their children are: Harry who is deceased; Earl; and Letha who married Granville Fredericks. Her second marriage after the death of Granville was to Carl Haase. The homestead is now owned by Diania Gessner, widow of Earl. The old log house has been torn down and only the barn and granary still stand.

Michael and Magdalena Gessner both died in 1911 at the age of 81 years.

Submitted by Kay Gessner