Persons Buried: Sebastian Sr., Scholastika, Joseph, Maria Louisa, Wunibold and others

As the namesakes of the settlement, the Kesslers were the primary landowners and benefactors of the local congregation. Sebastian Kessler Sr. is believed to have been among the first to break ground on this specific Missouri tract in the early 1840s. His son, Joseph, famously donated the five acres for the church and cemetery in 1847. The family’s history is marked by both great generosity and great sacrifice; Wunibold Kessler, a member of the family, served and gave his life during the Civil War, a testament to the family's deep-rooted commitment to their new American home.

Persons Buried: Joseph (First Burial in 1849), Jacob (Civil War Veteran), Michael, Magdalena, and several infants/children including Maria

The Wiedmaier family represents the quintessential immigrant journey of the Kessler Settlement. Arriving in 1844 on the ship Iowa, they were instrumental in the community’s early development. Joseph Wiedmaier, a skilled weaver, holds the somber distinction of being the first recorded burial in the cemetery in 1849. The family’s military history is also prominent; Jacob Wiedmaier served in the Civil War and is one of the seven veterans honored on these grounds. Their legacy continues today through the descendants who have spearheaded the modern restoration of the cemetery.

Persons Buried: Joseph M. (Last Burial), John, Francis, and Mary

The Gerstner family provided the final chapter to the cemetery’s history; Joseph M. Gerstner was the last person interred on the grounds in 1923. Historical records link the Gerstner and Wonderly families through marriage and community, with Emily Wonderly noted as the mother of prominent local figures in St. Joseph.

Persons Buried: Joseph, Frances, John, Emily

The Wonderly family first appears in the 1850 Census as established German farmers, with records suggesting they may have lived in Ohio before settling in Northwest Missouri. 

Persons Buried: John, Catherine, and several descendants (many later relocated)

The Fishers were a cornerstone of the settlement's agricultural success and were known as "intelligent and prosperous" farmers. As the community evolved and the town of Easton grew, the Fisher family remained leaders in the local parish. In the late 1890s, as the Kessler site became less accessible, the Fishers were among the families who began the process of moving their ancestors' remains to the newer cemetery in Easton, a transition that marked the beginning of Kessler’s "forgotten" era.

Persons Buried: Leopold, Genovova, Magdalena, and an unnamed sister (based on family oral history)

The Siela family were part of the original 1844 migration from Germany and were among the earliest pioneers to settle the region. While their physical headstones suffered significantly from a century of neglect and the elements, family oral history and recent research have hinted that their resting places may be in the Kessler Cemetery, but haven't been confirmed as of 2026, for lack of evidential records. Their presence at Kessler serves as a vital link to the very first years of the "German Congregation" and the rugged frontier life they shared with the Kesslers and Wiedmaiers.

Persons Buried: Michael (one of the oldest residents at 88 years) and family

The Scanlon family legacy at Kessler is anchored by Michael Scanlon, whose life serves as a remarkable testament to the endurance of the early pioneers. Michael passed away at the age of 88, a notable achievement in an era when frontier life was grueling and medical care was sparse. His long life spanned the formative years of the settlement and the evolution of Buchanan County. As one of the oldest residents interred on these grounds, his presence provides historians with a vital link to the earliest generations of settlers who survived the arduous journey to Missouri and successfully built a lasting community.

Persons Buried: Elizabeth McAlarney, and multiple family members (many later relocated).

The McAlarneys represent the diverse Catholic fabric of the Kessler Settlement. While the community was predominantly German, Irish families like the McAlarneys were integral to its early success. Historical records from the late 1890s highlight the family’s role in the regional transition of the parish; they were among the first mentioned in The Catholic Tribune as making arrangements to relocate their deceased to the new cemetery in Easton. This move was not merely a change in burial location, but a sign of the family’s prominence in the burgeoning town of Easton, where they helped establish the new St. Joseph parish and contributed to the area's commercial and social development.

Persons Buried: Jacob Waller & others (primarily relocated to Easton).

The Waller family were influential figures in the religious and civic life of the settlement. Historically recognized as "prosperous and intelligent" farmers, they were key stakeholders in the early Church of the Holy Savior. The Wallers are particularly notable in local history for their early foresight regarding the preservation of family records. Although many of their loved ones were moved to the more accessible Easton cemetery in 1897 as the original site became landlocked, their original interments at Kessler helped define the boundaries of the sacred grounds. Their transition to the new parish signifies the family’s continued leadership in the Catholic community of Buchanan County through the turn of the century.

Persons Buried: Karl Wachendorfer and Maria Wachendorfer.

Karl and Maria Wachendorfer are representative of the hardworking immigrant couples who formed the backbone of the "German Congregation." Karl’s headstone, which has been a focal point of recent restoration efforts, is one of the beautifully carved markers that reflects the craftsmanship of the 19th century. Recent research into the family history suggests a life of deep devotion and tragedy; Maria passed away just one year prior to Karl, and their side-by-side presence in the cemetery highlights the close-knit, family-oriented nature of the settlement. The Wachendorfer name remains a key identifier for researchers tracing the specific migration patterns of families who moved from the Rhine Valley to the Missouri river bluffs.