Charles Kesselmayer - G.A.R., Bishop Post

CHARLES KESSELMEYER

Charles Kesselmeyer (Kesselmayer, Kesselmyer) was married and a father of at least four children when he enlisted to fight in the Union Army.  Enumerated in the 1860 census of Pleasant Township, Henry County, Charles, 26, and his wife, Rebecca, 26, were farming and raising their children.  Originally from Bavaria, Charles had acquired real estate valued at $600 - 80 acres, according to the agricultural census that year, 10 acres improved and 70 unimproved.

But, on December 16, 1861, he first enlisted in Company B of the 68th Regiment, Ohio Infantry.  His first discharge was at Washington, D. C. on October 1, 1862.  However he reenlisted on October 20, 1862 in Company H, 10th Regiment of the Ohio Cavalry where he served until July 24, 1865.  The 1890 veterans census listed his disabilities as a hernia and diarrhea, a chronic disease among these soldiers.

Pension card for Charles Kesselmeyer

After the war, he farmed for awhile, improving his Henry County farm until in 1870, he had improved 40 acres, had livestock and was raising wheat and corn.  But by 1874 when he was about 40 years old, he had given up farming and moved to Defiance.  Eventually, he acquired a grocery business and saloon.  

The Defiance Democrat of December 21, 1882, gave insight into the potential risks of the saloon business for Charles:

"Last Saturday afternoon about 2 o'clock, a young man named William Blakeslee entered Chas. Kesselmeyer's saloon on the Ottawa and Defiance Pike in East Defiance and called for something to drink.  He became somewhat under the influence of liquor.  The bar keeper, John Kesselmeyer, thought it best to refuse him, stating that he had already had a goodly supply.  This so enraged the young man that when Charles Kesselmeyer approached him, entreating him in a mild manner to desist from asking for more drinks, he dealt a furious blow at his head with a large stave knife.  Mr. Kesselmeyer evaded the blow and caught the knife with his right hand, sustaining a terrible gash in the palm of the right hand.  Then Blakeslee attempted to attack other persons present, but was finally cooled down at the muzzle of a revolver.  Blakeslee was arrested and placed under custody, but was afterward released under $500 bond.  His trial will take place next Saturday.  Kesselmeyer's hand is doing well under the circumstances."

The 1900 census taker found Charles, 65, and Rebecca, 66, living in the Fourth Ward of Defiance.  Charles was still working as a saloon keeper.  They reported having eight children in their forty-four years of marriage, and eight were still living.  Finally, by 1910, Charles, 74, and Rebecca, 76, were living with their daughter, Mary E., 43, and her son, Gerald E. Myers, 14.  Mary E. had been widowed.  Charles noted that he was the President of a mineral water works - still the entrepreneur.  

Charles died in January, 1917, while Rebecca lived on until 1928.

"WAR VETERAN IS TAKEN SUDDENLY

Pneumonia Proves Fatal to Man Who Served Four Years in Civil War.

Charles Kesselmayer, aged 81, veteran of the civil war, who was stricken with pneumonia last Sunday, was unable to withstand the ravages of the ailment and on Monday evening at 8 o'clock, he breathed his last, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. E. Myers, 521 Park avenue.

The deceased fell one week ago while enroute to his bed room, and he suffered a severe jar.  Lumbago set in and that weakened the venerable man to such an extent that he proved a ready victim when the more serious ailment - pneumonia - developed.

Mr. Kesselmayer served four years in the civil war and he participated in some of the hardest campaigns and battles that marked that destructive struggle.  He was with the gallant command of union soldiers who marched with General Sherman on that memorable route to the sea.

Served Two Enlistments.

The deceased served as member of the 68th O.V.I. and when his term of enlistment expired with the war unsettled,he re-enlisted in the 10th Ohio Cavalry.  He was a member of the G.A.R.

Mr. Kesselmayer was born in Baden Baden, Germany, April 23, 1835, and with his parents, came to Cleveland 10 years later.  His father was a medical practitioner in the Forest City.

The deceased went to School Creek, Henry County, in 1856, and there was married to Miss Rebecca Herman Deckrosh, who survives him.  The family lived on the Henry county farm until 1874, when Defiance became the place of residence.  In this city, Mr. Kesselmayer was, for many years, engaged in the grocery business.  He retired from active business several years ago and had lived a retired life ever since.  At the time of his death, Mr. Kesselmayer was interested in a local mineral water establishment.

In addition to the aged widow, there survive the following children: Henry Kesselmayer of Cleveland, Mrs. H. E. Myers and Josper (Joseph) Kesselmayer of Defiance and Mrs. Rose Hendershot of Detroit.

The remains were taken to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kesselmayer on Hopkins street this afternoon, and from that home, funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Members of Bishop Post, G.A.R. will have charge of the services."

Defiance Democrat - January 18, 1917

"WAR VETERAN LAID TO REST

Brothers-In-Arms Carry Remains to Final Depository.

Funeral services for the late Charles Kesselmayer were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of Joseph Kesselmayer, on Hopkins street, with many relatives and friends in attendance.

The last rites were conducted by Rev. Mr. Kiess of St. John's Lutheran church who dwelt to some extent on the excellent war record of the deceased and his many fine traits of character as disclosed during his long residence in this city.

Selections appropriate to the occasion such as 'Abide With Me' and 'Rock of Ages' were sung by Mrs. Gertrude Sutphen and Miss Bess Woodward, with Mrs. Marie Friedlich presiding at the piano.

At the conclusion of the regular church service, members of G.A.R. post conducted the beautiful ceremony prescribed in the ritual of that order for departed members.  Men who had been his brothers during the Civil War carried the remains to the final resting place at Riverside cemetery."

Defiance Democrat - January 25, 1917

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 (This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)