Biography of Martin H. Keesler, Vol. II, page 623.  Presidents, Soldiers, 
Statesmen; H. H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.

Martin H. Keesler

Was living in Allen county, Ind., engaged in farming, when at the age of 19, 
he enlisted at Ft. Wayne, Oct. 5, 1861, as a private, in Co. D, 44th Ind. 
V.I., Gen. Steadman commander.  In April, 1862, he received a flesh wound at 
the battle of Pittsburg Landing. In 1864, he was furloughed for twenty days, 
rejoining his command at Chattanooga, Tenn.  Previous to this, at the battle 
of Stone River, he was captured by rebel Calvary, and held at Richmond 
twenty days, when he was exchanged. He took part in the battles of Ft. 
Donaldson, Shiloh, Corinth, Rural Hill, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, and a few minor engagements; his honorable discharge was granted him 
at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 22, 1864.  Mr. Keesler is the son of Henry and 
Mary (Sanders) Keesler, both of whom are still living in Missouri.  He was 
born July 12, 1842, in Noble county, Ind., and settled in DeKalb Co., same 
state, in 1847.  He was married Nov. 10, 1865, to Mary M. Baker, who was 
born Oct. 1, 1847, in the state of Ohio.  Their children are Charles, 
Henry dec., Luella, John, Samuel, Alvin, Manarva, Bertha, Allie, infants, 
Clara and Franklin.  The parents of Mrs. Keesler are John and Anna R. 
Guisman) Baker, the mother dying in 1852, but the father is still living 
in DeKalb Co., Ind.  Our comrade's father was in the command with him, 
also taken prisoner at the same time; was in hospital at Annapolis; Md., 
for six months, and was honorably discharged June, 1864. Henry Keesler, a 
son of subject, was drowned in the St. Joe River, June 30, 1890, by falling 
off the bank while returning home in the night. Our comrade draws a pension, 
is a member of the J.C. Carnes Post, 144, at St. Joe, Ind.  He is a farmer 
and his address is Spencerville, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwn@ctlnet.com