AUGUST KESSBERGER, a member of the firm of W. F. Kessberger & Co., which is conducting a gentlemen's clothing and furnishing goods establishment at 107 North Fifth Street, is a well known citizen of Springfield with whose business interests he has been variously identified for many years and he has also been connected with its public life. He is likewise engaged in the insurance business and has the agency for a good line of insurance companies.

Mr. Kessberger was born in Germany, October 21, 1835, and when a young man he came to America with a brother and sister locating in Springfield in 1851. He immediately began to learn the trade of a blacksmith and wagon maker, and subsequently opened a shop and carried on a manufacturing business on his own account. He was very successful in it, and had to enlarge his shop to keep pace with the demands of his business and carried it on until 1884, having a location first on Adams Street and afterwards on the corner of First and Washington Streets. He manufactured all kinds of heavy and light vehicles and after abandoning that engaged first with Herman & Co., in the general insurance business. In 1887 he opened an office for himself, and he with his son in the middle of December, 1888, opened their present store. They have prospered very much in this enterprise and on the 1st of October removed to the finely fitted up and commodious store at 107 North Fifth Street, where they carry a large stock of everything in their line and of the best quality.

The marriage of Mr. Kessberger with Miss Christina Hagedorn of this city, who was born in Germany has been blessed to them by the birth of children of whom they have six: August W., William F., George P., Edward, Bertha and Minnie. Mr. Kessberger is one of the old and respected citizens of this city and is highly spoken of by all with whom he associates in a business or a social way. He has been a member of the City Council and has always done what he could to forward the interests of the city. He is a member of the Oak Ridge Board of Trustees. He has been Director of the workingmen's Savings and Homestead Association, and has been interested in the German-American Society but is not so now. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and stands by his party whatever betides. Socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United workmen.