Kessel, Joseph Brooks

Passed: 1925-07-17

Age: 84

Source: Jackson County Newspapers

Death Notice: 1925-07-21

Obituary Date:

Information: Joseph Brooks Kessel was born April 17, 1841, and departed this life July 17, 1925, being 84 years and 3 months of age.  He was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Straley on September 9, 1866, to which union were born ten children, three having preceded him to the great beyond.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eliza Kessel; seven children: W. L. Kessel and Mrs. Canna Sayre of Ripley, H. M. and K. V. Kessel of Wellsville, Ohio, O. M. Kessel of Canton, Ohio, A. F. Kessel of Toronto, Ohio, and Mrs. Nova Sayre of Chester, West Virginia, and two sisters, Mrs. Sidney Sayre of Charleston, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tabor of Wayne county.  He has 27 grandchildren and six  great-grandchildren.  Uncle Brooks, as everyone loved to call him, was born in Jackson County and spent his whole life near his childhood home.  His parents were Job Kessel and Frances Bowles Kessel.  In his early life this part of the country was nothing but a rude wilderness, and he was one of the pioneers who cleared the forests, built the homes, and paved the way for us who are living here now.  He lived and did his bit and, thereby made it a more comfortable and pleasant place for us to live in.  He was converted and joined the church before he was 17 years old under the preaching of Rev. Briscoe, in ""the old log church"" known as the Bowles Church, which was located newar the present location of the Pleasant Hill Church.  He spent his whole life in the service of his Master, always going about doing good.  He has served in the Sunday school in every capacity.  For many years he served his fellowman in the capacity of a ""local preacher"", always responding to duty when called upon as long as his health would permit.  His work was in Jackson, Mason and Roane counties.  During the Civil War, Unce Brooks spent almost three years in the Confederate Army.  He was placed in one of the companies of the 17th Virginia Cavalry, where he saw much active service, being in the battle of Gettysburg and several orther important engagements.  After the War he returned to civil life and took up his duties where he had left off a few years before.  He manifested considerable enjoyment in relating stories of the Civil War, which he often did. He always attended the reunions of the Blue and Gray as long as he was able, and took great pride in marching and matching stories with other veterans.  He was vice-president of the Union of the Blue and the Gray for twenty-four years.  Before his death he stated that he wished the following men be named as honary pall-bearers:  James Buckalew, Allen French, Gassaway Blankenship, Alexander Casto, Phillip Shatto, Andrew French, John Horn, James Knuckles, Philmore Riley, and W. W. Riley.  Since he had a stroke, ten years ago, Uncle Brooks has been an invalid, at times being real sick and at other times able to be up and about.  His health became worse last Tuesday evening and all his near relatives were summonsed to his bed-side.  He quietly passed away Friday evening like one who ""wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams"".