GILBERT (Special) - James Alfred Keisler of near Gilbert, one hundred years and seven months of age and one of the oldest citizens of Lexington County, died at his home at 6:30 o'clock Saturday morning after a lingering illness.
He was born about eight miles west of Lexington "just over the creek" from his residence November 25, 1859. He was the son of the late David and Lydia Hendrix Keisler. This was five years before Sherman's March.
At the age of 21, Mr. Keisler married Laura Crout and settled on a wooded section of his father's place. Practically single handed, he hacked a two horse farm from the virgin forest and worked it himself until he was 80 years of age.
By then, Laura had died and he had remarried, this time to the former Emma Smith. He then cut his farming operations in half and idled along with a one horse farm until he was 90.
Mr. Keisler was the father of 15 children, 12 of whom are still living. He was a charter member of the St. Matthews Lutheran Church and had served on the church council for many years.
Children of the first marriage surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Bessie Gartman of West Columbia and Mrs. J. H. (Emma) Keisler Lexington County and three sons, Emmanuel W. Keisler and Jesse M. Keisler, both of Gilbert, and John Crout Keisler of Lexington.
Children of the second marriage who survive are three daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Ellie) Roof and Mrs. J. B. (Lessie) Dooley, both of Lexington County, and Miss Estelle Keisler of Gilbert; four sons, A. D. Keisler of Lexington County and Silas J. Keisler, Callie C. Keisler and Olin A. Keisler, all of Gilbert; one half brother, Hamp Keisler of Lexington County; 52 grandchildren; 142 great-grandchildren; and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
[From Obituary from The State (Columbia, SC) - July 3, 1960 (p. 9B)]
GILBERT (Special) - James Alfred Keisler of near Gilbert, one hundred years and seven months of age and one of the oldest citizens of Lexington County, died at his home at 6:30 o'clock Saturday morning after a lingering illness.
He was born about eight miles west of Lexington "just over the creek" from his residence November 25, 1859. He was the son of the late David and Lydia Hendrix Keisler. This was five years before Sherman's March.
At the age of 21, Mr. Keisler married Laura Crout and settled on a wooded section of his father's place. Practically single handed, he hacked a two horse farm from the virgin forest and worked it himself until he was 80 years of age.
By then, Laura had died and he had remarried, this time to the former Emma Smith. He then cut his farming operations in half and idled along with a one horse farm until he was 90.
Mr. Keisler was the father of 15 children, 12 of whom are still living. He was a charter member of the St. Matthews Lutheran Church and had served on the church council for many years.
Children of the first marriage surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Bessie Gartman of West Columbia and Mrs. J. H. (Emma) Keisler Lexington County and three sons, Emmanuel W. Keisler and Jesse M. Keisler, both of Gilbert, and John Crout Keisler of Lexington.
Children of the second marriage who survive are three daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Ellie) Roof and Mrs. J. B. (Lessie) Dooley, both of Lexington County, and Miss Estelle Keisler of Gilbert; four sons, A. D. Keisler of Lexington County and Silas J. Keisler, Callie C. Keisler and Olin A. Keisler, all of Gilbert; one half brother, Hamp Keisler of Lexington County; 52 grandchildren; 142 great-grandchildren; and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
[From Obituary from The State (Columbia, SC) - July 3, 1960 (p. 9B)]
Family Members
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Bessie Ella Keisler Gartman
1881–1962
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Emanuel Walter Keisler
1882–1968
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Simon Brooksey Keisler
1884–1886
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Jesse Matthew Keisler
1885–1966
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Ollie Callison Keisler
1887–1954
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Emma Caroline Keisler Keisler
1889–1981
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John Alfred Crout
1891–1970
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Archie David Keisler
1896–1969
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James Silas Keisler
1898–1985
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Callie Shepherd Keisler
1899–1989
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Ella Marcella "Ellie" Keisler Roof
1902–1982
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Lessie Irene Keisler Dooley
1905–1986
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Estelle Carley Keisler
1907–1998
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Infant Son Keisler
1909–1909
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Olin Abney Keisler
1910–2000
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