For the family of (John) Jacob Fessler and Catherine Ganger

JOHN JACOB FESSLER was born on 21 February 1825 in Baden, Germany. He was the son of (--?--) Fessler and Salome (--?--). This date was calculated from tombstone information. He was apparently known as "Jacob", as this is his name on all the census records I have located.

Jacob's father died in Germany, leaving Salome with 10 children, all still at home. In 1843, the oldest child, George immigrated to the United States. Jacob, his mother, and the rest of the 8 children immigrated to the United States in 1846. I believe that they landed at the Port of New Orleans and then went up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to settle in Cincinnati for a time. About 1849, they went to Shelby County and each bought farms. I have located George and Jacob in the 1850 federal population censuses. They are living on adjacent farms in Loramie Township, Shelby County, Ohio. Living with Jacob was a "Salina Fessler age 31 born Germany". Jacob had not married by the time this census was taken. Either he had a previously unknown first marriage and the wife died, or this was actually his mother Salome, age 51 living with him, or perhaps an unmarried sister.

CATHERINE GANGER was born on 01 April 1831 in Montgomery county, Ohio. Her parentage is unknown.

They apparently married 26 December 1850 in Shelby County, Ohio, although I have not yet located a copy of their marriage record.

The first record I have located for them after their marriage is the 1860 federal population census. They are living in Loramie Township with 6 children. It also appears that his mother is living with them. Jacob is listed as a farmer and his value of real estate is $2000 and the value of his personal property is $400.,

They are listed in the 1870 federal population census in Loramie Township. In their household is listed 8 children. The value of their real estate is $4000 and the value of their personal property is $860.

On the 1880 federal population census, they are listed again as living in Loramie Township with 6 children. He is listed as a farmer. Interestingly, Catherine is marked as not knowing how to read or write.

According to a local county history, Catherine died in January 1895 and Jacob died in March 1900.

I have just begun research on this family and at the present time, do not have any other documents on them. There are 10 known children, all presumably born in Loramie Township, Shelby County, Ohio, all surnamed FESSLER:

Copyright 2006
Janet Hagan Monnin
jansgenealogy at gmail.com

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