John and Florence Kestler Family

Florence Kennedy born 26 Apr 1880 in Kentucky died 31 Mar 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married John Maurice Kestler about 1896 according to the 1900 census.

The had 3 children: John James , Josephine and Frank L.
They divorced prior to 1908.

Florence later married William H. Kroeger according to the 1910 Ohio census.

She was also married to Charles F. Staat according to the 1930 Ohio census.


John James Kestler born 2 May 1898 Louisville, Kentucky died 6 Jun 1978 Cincinatti, Ohio. He married Dorothy Miller and they had 8 children:

Josephine was born 26 Apr 1900 in St Louis, Missouri died 24 Jun 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Herbert Hannig they had 2 children. Henry W. and Marian. Later she married Marion Bough
Josephine b 26 Apr 1900 in St Louis, Missouri d.24 Jun 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Frank L. was born 5 Sep 1902 Cincinnati, Ohio died 16 Dec 1974 Cincinnati, Ohio. Married Golda and had 3 children:

Joseph A. abt 1921, Marion E. Abt 1923 and Henrietta M. abt 1923, according to the 1930 Ohio census.

Marriage License of John and Teresa

Louisa Franke

This is Aunt Louisa my sister it was taken about 9 years ago but she just looks the same today that is the only one I have take good care of it for she is a very dear Sister.

John and Teresa Kestler

John Maurice Kestler met Teresa Gertrude McLaughlin in 1906 while living in the Golden Gate Park after the San Francisco earthquake.

Teresa was born 31 Dec 1888 in San Francisco, California. She was daughter of John J McLaughlin and and Elizabeth O'Brien both from Ireland.

Married 8 May 1908 in San Francisco, California

John and Teresa with their 7 children

Standing left to right: Joe, Bill, Jack, Sis(Mary)
Seated left to right: Bob, Mom(Teresa) Betty sitting on Mom's lap, Pop(John) with Leo sitting on his knee.

Headstone John and Maurice McLaughlin

Both John and Maurice are buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo, California. Grave was originally purchased by John for his son who died of paralysis in 1907. John died of gangrene in 1909. They were originally buried in Calvary Cemetery in San Francisco. Many of the cemeteries were moved. John and Maurice were re-interred in 1925 at the new location.

The family went from Los Angeles to San Francisco for the occasion.

Back row. Sis(Mary) and Jack. Left to right: Leo, Jack, Joe and Bill. Betty is standing in front.

John and Elizabeth McLauglin

Elizabeth O'Brien and John J McLaughlin both from Ireland were married about 1874.

There first child Maurice born Jul 1876 died 24 Jun 1907 in San Francisco. He and his father are both buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo, California. 4 daughters were also born to this union. Mary Sep 1884, Annie b Apr 1886, Teresa 31 Dec 188 and Margaret b 15 Sep 1891. On the 1910 California Census we find that Elizabeth had 8 children and only 5 were left living at that time.

Mollie Franke Kestler

This is me Gramma Kestler it was taken about 9 years ago when I was living on Bank St in the back yard.















Mollie Franke born 8 Dec 1946 in Germany. Died 18 Nov 1926 Louisville, Kentucky. She was was married 3 times.

First marriage to Louis Kinstler. They had 3 children all born in Louisville, Kentucky; Ida b.19 Sep 1869 d. 14 Feb 1948, Jennie b. 4 Feb 1871 d.4 Oct 1942 and Jacob b. Oct 1875. Louis had been married previously to Susan Ake. She died leaving her husband with two children. Lucy b 13 Aug 1859 and Marcellus. Louis died leaving Mollie to care for all 5 children.

She married Joseph George Kestler. John Maurice Kestler was born 13 Aug 1879 Louisville, Kentucky. Died 28 Sep 1932 Los Angeles, California.
John was married twice. His first wife was Florence Kennedy of Kentucky b. 26 Apr 1880 d. 31 Mar 1958 Cincinnati, Ohio. They had 3 children. John James b. 2 May 1898 d. 6 Jun 1978 Cincinnati, Ohio, Josephine b. 26 Apr 1900 St Louis, Missouri d. 24 Jun 1990 Cincinnati, Ohio and Frank b. 5 Sep 1902 d. 16 Dec 1974 Cincinnati, Ohio.

Third marriage was to Joseph Browning of Louisville, Kentucky. They had no children.

Joseph George Kestler

Joseph was born in Aug 6,1846 in Bavaria, Germany. He died Aug 6, 1921 in Jefferson, Kentucky. He came to America with his parents Georg(occupation Tailor) and Magarethe Kistler(slightly diff spelling).
Arrival date: 10 May 1852 Arrival place: New York Departure place: Bremen, Germany
Destination place: St Erie

The family lived in New York for a time and a daughter named Sophia was born there in 1853. The family later moved to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. 4 more children were added to the family. John b.1856, Catherine b.1858, Jacob b.1863 & Nicholas b.1863.

Joseph later married Mollie Franke Kinstler. Son, John Maurice Kestler was born to this couple 13 Aug 1879 in louisville, Kentucky

This is the back side of the photo postcard.
J. G. Kestler Vice Pres. Printing Trade Section.

This postal picture was used to make a card for Labor Day Souvenier. Perhaps a young Grandchild wrote across the top indicating Grandpa.
The blue writing looks like "Union Gave Our All"???