BENJAMIN KESSLER , Auburn, Illinois, was born in Beloit county, Virginia, December 28, 1803, son of Benjamin and Margaret (Clare) Kessler; father of German descent, and born in Maryland, and mother of Virginia; were married in Virginia where they reside; family of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be men and women' father was a farmer, lived and died in Virginia, and mother died in Virginia. In 1827, left his native State for the Sangamon country, having heard much of its broad prairies; also, having an uncle who was living here by the name of David Kessler, who died while they were on the road to the State. After arriving, he hired out by the month for $10, and worked one year for that wage. In September, 1830, married Mary Ann Wallace, daughter of James and Annie Wallace, nee Duill, who came from South Caroline in 1822, and located in Auburn township, one mile south of where Auburn now stands. She was born in Nova Scotia, October 18, 1812. In September, 1880, they had their golden wedding, having lived together half a century. There was a large concourse of people and they were recipients of some valuable presents, among which were a gold-headed cane, and an easy chair. Their family consisted of seven children, all of which are living, Margaret J., James H., Harriet E., David F., Mary A. and Benjamin L. Soon after coming to the State, purchased sixty acres of land, where Mr. Charles Rauch now lives. He afterwards sold and purchased other lands, and at one time had between seven hundred and eight hundred acres. Mr. K. is one of the pioneers of the county, and has lived to see it pass from a wild, uncultivated wilderness to a thickly and densely populated county.