Obituary

Kansan, Wednesday, December 22, 1920


Mr. Leopold Fessler, aged 84, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Newton died this morning at 10 o,clock at his home ar 211 East Fourth. Mr. Fessler had been in poor health for several years, and had been confined to his bed for the past three months.
Mr. Fessler was born December 15, 1836, in Forst, Baden, Germany. He came to America with his parents, five sisters and five brothers on november 12, 1854 and arrived at Booneville, Mo., March 10, 1855. He was employed at that place until 1861, when with a brother he answered the first call of President Lincoln. It was on May 18 of that year he was mustered into service. He served three months in Company K, Third Missouri Volunteers under General Scofield, then was adjutant of General Lyons in the regiment commanded by Colonel Franz Siegler. He participated in the battle of Carthage, Mo., on July 5, 1861, and in the battle of Wilson Creek under General Lyons on August 10, 1861. He was mustered out of service August 30 at St. Louis, Mo. On December 21, 1861 he re-enlisted in Company A, Fifth M. S. M. Cavalry serving three years. He was mustered out of service at St. Louis, Mo., on January 9, 1865 and in the following month joined the Company of home Guards at Booneville, Mo., serving in that company until the close of the war. Three brothers of Mr. Fessler, two younger than he and one older served in the Union Army.
He married Miss Belle Garten at Marshall, Mo., January 16, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Fessler came to Newton in 1877, and have made it their home since. Mr. Fessler was a member of the Methodist church, having joined many years ago. He was a member of the local G. A. R., Post. He was also a charter member of the A. O. U. W. lodge.
Besides his wife Mr. Fessler is survived by six children, Mrs. J.C. Erhard of Muskogee, Okla., who is now in Newton having been called here several weeks ago by the illness of her father; Mrs. J.F. Kaufman of Oakland, Calif.; Mrs. E.C. Garvitt of Wichita; Mrs. Ralph Paris of Newton; Frank Fessler of Oakland, Calif.; Arthur Fessler of Balboa Heights, Panama.
Funeral services will be conducted at the home Friday afternoon at 2 o,clock by Dr. J.R. Caffyn, and internment will follow in Greenwood cemetery.