KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS NEWSLETTER VOL 36

KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 36 AUG 1, 2003

Christine Walters

Its that time again - I don't know how these things creep up on me so quickly. As usual its getting harder and harder to find anything "new" on the Kesterson's. Doesn't anybody have anything new to report!!! So I'm decided to cut the Newsletter to twice a year - The next one will be February 2004 and maybe there will be more to report by then. We can now skip over Thanksgiving and Christmas which are always hectic for most of us anyway.

Secondly - it appears as though we have sold our house. We close on August 16. We very quickly had to find another place to live. We have purchased a house in Lexington TN which is somewhere between Nashville and Memphis and not far from the KY border where my Kestersons were from. MAYBE - I'll be able to scour the TN counties and come up with something new. I looked in the phone book and there are several Kestersons in Jackson TN - 30 miles away.

Started out to redo the Kesterson Death/Obits pages and that turned into a real job. BUT - I think it looks much better and maybe its faster loading now that I've put the Tomstone Pictures and Obits on separate pages - check it out. Updates include: William Kesterson/Josephine Forrester. Malinda Kesterson/William Henley. John Wesley Kesterson/Etta Ganther. Lillie Kesterson/Patrick Beane. Clyde W. Kesterson/Bertha Jane Clark.

Don Pickering recently got in touch with me about his Kesterson heritage. Don is the son Jack Thomas Drury Pickering born 22 Jan 1918 in Folkstone England, died 11 November 1988. Jack was actually born Thomas Kesterson and was given up for adoption probably as soon as he was born. Don did not learn of his fathers adoption until after he died in 1988. Jack found out that he was adopted when he went to join the Air Force in WW II. He apparently chose to keep it a secret from his family. Thomas Kesterson (Jack Pickering) was the son of Thomas Jefferson Kesterson b 20 Dec 1898 in Pike Co IL , died 19 Sep 1951 in California. Thomas was the son of George Kesterson & Nancy Helen Manker. You might remember that George moved his family to Canada in the early 1900's. Young Thomas who was 15 years of age, decided to join the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WW I. He lied about his age in order to get it in. Thomas met Ada Jenkins in England - married her and had a son by her. I have to guess the rest of the story - the marriage didn't work out, Thomas left them both and Ada probably had to give up the child for the good of both of them. I found Ada Kesterson in 1920 in the Snohomish WA Census, age 22 living alone. Its unclear if Thomas brought her to the US or if she came on her own. So thanks to Don writing to me, we now know what became of the young son Thomas had with Ada. Thomas Jefferson Kesterson was married Lucille Levee 31 Dec 1919 in Clallem WA and went on to have a family with her. All this in the young mans life before he had even reached the age of 21!!

Thomas Armstrong Kesterson 14 Oct 1853 - 1 Mar 1907 Anderson TN (son of James Roland & Eliza Jane (Walker) Kestrson) married the 2nd time to Eliza J Dunn 30 Sep 1900. His first wife was Sarah Jane Russell. Eliza J Dunn had several children previous to her marriage, by a man by the name of Masten Hill. I have just recently discovered that some (or all) of these children used the Kesterson name. We have now found a descendant of one of those children Judy Solis, whose line is listed below. Her father was Jesse Monroe Kesterson who had been sitting in my files for years. I knew his father was Samuel Kesterson but I couldn't find the parents of Samuel. Now - thankfully - we know. Eliza Jane Dunn's children were Nola Bell, Cora, Minnie Mae, Ethel Frona and Samuel Wesley Hill.. So if there are other descendants of these children we'd like to meet them. They may have also have used the name Kesterson when they married.

OBIT: Five year old Chad son of Arlin and Hazel Kesterson resident of Gillham died Dec 21 in Arkansas Children's hospital. He was born Nov 19 1976. Funeral services was Dec. 23 in First Babist church with Jerry Hill officiating. Burial was in Daniels at Wickes Arkansas he was preceeded in death by his materinal parents, Oliver and Susie Wilson. Survivors other than his parents include four brothers Ricky Marlin Stevie and Tony all of Gillham parental grand parents of Dierks Ruben and Elma Kesterson of Dierks.

**Arlin is the son of Reuben Lester & Elma Theresa (Porter) Kesterson. Reuben s/o Frank Columbus & Onie (Dwyer) Kesterson. Frank s/o William & Hannah (Parker) Kesterson. William s/o John & Malinda. Then if I've figured correctly Hazel is Hazel Wilson d/o Oliver and Susie Wilson. Submitted by Kathy Wilson to the Sevier Co Website

I have created a Webpage for Charles Kesterson 1819-1899, our Iowa ancestor. He married Mary Dunnigan and Elizabeth Brooks. Thanks to the pictures, stories and information that Nancy Cervantes contributed, it makes for interesting reading. You can also reach the page from the Main menu. And from this webpage it carries on into the life of his son Thomas Jefferson Kesterson who married Marinda Brown. As time permits I'll add more to this page that I probably should have called "The Iowa Cousins Page"..

TRACY JOSEPH KESTERSON, 35, passed away June 6, 2003. He was born Dec. 30, 1967 in Alton, Illinois, was a prior resident of Bellinjham, Washington and moved to Aransas Pass three years ago. Survivors include his wife, Lori Ann Kesterson of Aransas Pass; mother and stepfather, Maylen and Salvador Soto; three brothers, Jackie Lee Kesterson of Nevada, Timothy Kesterson of Seguin and John Paul Kesterson of Houston; five sisters, Lee Ann Willms of Seguin, Susan Kesterson, Charlene Kesterson and Theresa Kesterson, all of Michigan and Linda Darcey of San Antonio. Visitation for family and friends was Sunday, June 8 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. in Aransas Pass. Arrangements entrusted to Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory, Aransas Pass, Texas

MILLVILLE - Ruth K. Helmrich of Millville died of natural causes Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in her home. She was 73. Mrs. Helmrich was born in Rutherfordton, N.C., daughter of the late John and Kitty Kesterson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Helmrich. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James and Susan Gibbs of Ocean View; four brothers, Doc Kesterson, Dean Kesterson, Eddie Kesterson and Tommy Kesterson, all of North Carolina; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Doris and Joseph Rosier of Ocean City, Md., and Baltimore, Rhoda of North Carolina and Mary Lois of Nevada; a grandson and granddaughter-in-law, David and Lee Ann Gibbs; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday in the Bethany Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, West Avenue, Ocean View.

**Kitty was born 27 Jul 1898 NC died 18 May 1977 Rutherford NC. I found them on the 1920 Madison Co NC Census with just the two daughters. John's mother "Sarah" was living with them - she was 57 years at the time. The obit fails to mention the two daughers Agnes and Martha who were on the 1920 census?

Frances K. Ball, 76, of Parkersburg died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital. She was born Aug. 8, 1926, in Parkersburg, a daughter of the late Phillip and Kathryn McMullen Kesterson. She was a homemaker. She is survived by three daughters, Sherry Harman of Parkersburg, Beverly Knight of Belpre and Kathy Martin of Texas; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, William and Richard Kesterson, both of Newark, Ohio, and Robert Kesterson of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother and one grandchild. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Lambert & Tatum Funeral Home, Green Street, Parkersburg, with Pastor James Ahart officiating. Burial will be in Neal Cemetery in Vienna. Friends may call from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

OBIT: November 28, 1920 - May 4, 2003. Louis Kesterson Keys Jr, age 82, of Franklin, OH; died Sunday May 4, 2003 at Sycamore Glen Retirement Community. He was born in Sallisaw, OK on November 28, 1920 the son of Louis Kesterson Keys Sr and Dolly (Garrett) Keys. Mr. Keys was a veteran of WW II serving 4 years in the Army Air Corp and was a registered member of the Cherokee Nation. He was employed by General Motors Frigidaire division for 30 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Grace in 1991, 2 brothers Carnell and Ted Keys, a sister Bonnie Keys. Surviving are his wife of 45 years Maurine Keys; a son Kess (Susan) Keys of Athens, a daughter Lois Bennett (George) of Enon, a step son Bill (Bonnie) McGuire of Franklin, a sister-in-law Maude Keys of Bartlesville, OK. 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren. Funeral Service 1 PM May 7, 2003 at Franklin OH Burial: Miami Valley Memorial Gardens Centerville OH

** This is rather an important obituary as this family has not been traced completely. I have left a message with the Funeral Home in hopes that someone from this line will get in touch with me. Louis Kesterson Keys SR - was the son of Theodore Syphian Keys who married Margaret Jeanette Kesterson. Margaret was the d/o John & Margaret Harriet (Lewis) Kesterson and John was the son of David Chadwell Kesterson. John and Margaret left Claiborne TN - stayed in Chattanooga TN for awhile, then moved to Indian Nation. The Keys children are registered in the Cherokee Nation Rolls because Theodore Syphian Keys was proven to have Indian Heritage.

Here is a really good biography on Reuben Neil Kesterson. Its nothing we didn't already have but its a great tribute to a man who did so much for the community he lived in.

I just recently received an email from Jessie Cheek. Her husband has an ancestor in his past who had the name of John Paul Kesterson Holloway born in TN about 1821. He was the son of Charles Holloway & Elizabeth Jones. Does anyone have any idea who this might have been?

NEW MEMBERS

Judy Kesterson Solis / Jesse Monroe Kesterson 1930 TN / Samuel Wesley (HILL) Kesterson (Stepson)/ Thomas Armstrong Kesterson 1853 TN / James Roland Kesterson 1828 TN / Sylvester Kestreson 1790 VA / John Kesterson 1742 VA / John Kestrson 1712 VA / George / Thomas

Phyllis Lotts Jannisch / Harry Hamilton Lotts/ Willie Albert Lotts 1900 VA / Daisy Dell Kesterson 1882 VA / Jacob Myers Kesterson 1839 VA / John J Kesterson 1805 VA / Benjamin Kesterson 1784 VA / John Kesterson 1742 VA / George Kesterson 1674 VA / Thomas Kesterson 1648

Amy Teague Albanese / Juliann Parenti / Lucille Fallin / Joel Hobson Fallin 1876 / William Henry Fallin 1842 GA/ Jesse Fallin 1806 VA / John Hobson Fallin 1778 / Hannah Kesterson 1742 VA / George Kesterson 1710 VA / George 1674 VA / Thomas 1648

David Haggard / Carleta Farmer / Giles Fred Farmer 1892 TX / Lucinda C Rogers 1855 MO / Perlina Arlene Pettit 1822 TN / Jane Courtney 1797 VA / Sarah Kesterson 1758 VA / William Kesterson 1735 VA / John / George and Thomas

Linda Morley is reaching the Courtney family - Michael Courtney/ Thomas Nelson Courtney Jr/Thomas Nelson Courtney Sr 1882 TN / Peter a Courtney 1854 TN / James T Courtney 1828 TN / Fielding Courtney 1795 VA/ Sarah Kesterson 1758 VA / Wm Kesterson 1735 VA / John Kesterson 1712 VA / George and Thomas

Caroline Kennedy McMinn / Mary Louise Kesterson 1918 / Henry Clay Kesterson 1894 TN / Charles E Kesterson 1871 TN/ William M Kesterson 1842 TN/ James Kesterson 1820 VA/ Hazzard Kesterson 1787 VA / John Kesterson VA / John Kesterson 1712 VA/ George/ Thomas

Jason Clayborn / Certis Lyndal Clayborn/ Certis Elmer Clayborn / Martha Wright 1886 OK / Louisa Jane Blackwood 1865 AR / John M Blackwood 1829 TN/ Rebecca Blackwood 1810 TN

Darlene Justice Bengsch / Solomon W Justice 1915 / Nancy Ellen Pendleton 1874 MO / Martha Elvira Johnson 1849 MO / Elizabeth Howell Pettit 1818 TN / Jane Courntey 1797 VA / Sarah Kesterson 1758 VA / Wm Kesterso 1735 VA/ John Kesterson 1712 VA/ George 1674 and Thomas 1648

MIchael Ashley / Junior Carroll Ashley 1920 KS / Wm Blaine Ashley 1896 TN / William M Gregory (ASHLEY) 1863 TN / Lucinda Kesterson 1839 TN / Isham Bailey Kesterson 1814 TN / Wm Kesterson Jr 1760 VA / William Kesterson Sr 1735 VA / John Kesterson 1712 / George and Thomas
** Lucinda Kesterson b 1839 TN was married 1st to Richard Gregory - we think he died in the Civil War. She then married Wm Ashley. Her son Wm Gregory (s/o Richard) took the Ashley name as his own.

Robin (Robert) Jennings is working on her husbands (Robert) line, leading back to the Courtney/Pettit/Kestersons. Robert Jennings / Kenneth Ray Jennings / James Elra Jennings/ Jonas Oscar Jennings 1875 / Jonas Pettit Jennings 1849 MO / Jane Emeline Pettie 1826 Tn / Jane Courtney 1797 VA / Sarah Kesterson 1758 VA / Wm Kesterson 1735 VA / John Kesterson 1712 VA / George and Thomas

George Kesterson /Martin Luther Kesterson 1918 WV/Jesse James Kesterson 1886 TN/ Thomas Armstrong Kesterson 1853 TN/James Roland Kesterson 1828 TN/ Sylvester Kesterson 1785 TN/ John Kesterson 1742 VA/John Kesterson 1712 VA/George Kesterson / Thomas Kesterson

By for now - see you in February --

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