Catharina Fattler was born in Germany to Wilhelmi and Susannae Deibel Fattler on 9 Sep 1832 and was baptized 10 Sep 1832 at Pfalz, Bavaria. In 1834, she immigrated to America with her parents and the family settled in Muskingum Co., OH. It was here that she grew to adulthood. It was also here that she met Frank Kessler and the couple was joined in matrimony 9 Aug 1847. The couple was blessed with three children while living in Ohio.

In 1856, Frank and Catherine loaded their belongings and their children into the wagon and headed to Iowa to join the families of Frank’s brothers who had relocated earlier. They were among the early pioneers of Johnson County. They settled on a farm just west of Solon in Big Grove Twp. and this was to be her home for the rest of her life. During a period of nearly half a century she occupied only one home. It was here that seven more children entered the family and all ten were children were reared to adulthood.

Catherine was a dutiful and affectionate wife and companion to her husband; a tender and loving mother to her children, all of whom are fine upstanding men and women doing for themselves.

Catherine Kessler departed life at her home west of Solon on Saturday, 13 Mar 1903. The funeral services were held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon of which the Kessler family had been members for many years. The services were conducted in the presence of a large congregation who came to pay their last respects to a beloved pioneer whose life was almost co-extensive with the settlement and development of Johnson County. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Catherine Kessler left behind her aged husband and nine of her ten children to mourn her loss. Her youngest daughter, Rosina, died in 1894.

"St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon, IA is looking for descendants of the person or persons on this memorial, to take responsibility for its current maintenance issues. Please contact St. Mary Catholic Church, 1749 Racine Ave NE, Solon, IA 52333 (319) 624-2228 and mention the name(s) on the memorial and that you wish to help repair the monument."