JACOB KESSLER, farmer, section twenty-two, Auburn, was born in Virginia, February 5, 1820; son of Benjamin and Margaret (Clair) Kessler, who was a native of Virginia. The fruits of this marriage were twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be adults. The subject of this sketch, the youngest, was reared on a farm and received a common school education; when twenty years of age, his father died. On March 3, 1842, married Miss Menerva A. Oliver; she was the daughter of James K. Oliver; she was born May 7, 1826. There was a family of eleven, eight of whom are living, viz: Leanah, William W., Barnett, Benjamin C., Madorah C., Mollie A., Charles S., Georgia V. On the 22d day of May 1857, came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Auburn township, where he has followed farming since, with the exception of two years. Has fifty-five and two-thirds acres of land, valued at $60 per acre. In politics, is a Democrat.