Kesler, Frederick

20 Jan. 1816–12 June 1899. Millwright, craftsman, architect, justice of the peace, warden. Born in Meadville, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Frederick Kesler and Mary Lindsay. Moved to Augusta, Des Moines Co., Iowa Territory, 1835. Married Emeline Parker. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Freeman Nickerson, June 1840, in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois. Ordained an elder, 1842. Served mission to eastern U.S., ca. 1842–1844. Returned to Nauvoo, 1844. Ordained a seventy, Apr. 1845. Directed by Brigham Young to build ferry at what became Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa Territory, and to supervise Saints’ crossing of Missouri River. Contracted by U.S. government to build mill in unorganized U.S. territory for Potawatomi Indians, 1849–1850. Migrated to Salt Lake Valley; arrived by 7 Oct. 1851. Appointed to superintend building of mills for church, spring 1852. Served as bishop of Salt Lake City Sixteenth Ward, 1856–1899. Died in Salt Lake City.