The rolling landscapes of Easton and Hurlingen in Buchanan County, Missouri, are deeply rooted in the mid-19th-century German immigrant experience. In 1844, families such as the Wiedmaiers and Sielas arrived from Germany settling in Buchanan County. Sebastian & Scholastika Kessler immigrated to the US in 1831 settling in Ohio, then to Buchanan County, Missouri in 1839, settling in what became known as the Kessler Settlement. This vibrant community of "intelligent and prosperous farmers" built their lives around faith and agriculture, eventually establishing the nearby town of Easton and the village of Hurlingen. While the spiritual center eventually shifted to the modern parishes of St. Joseph Church in Easton and Seven Dolors in Hurlingen, the original settlement served as the bedrock for the region’s development. Today, the area remains a testament to these pioneer families—weavers, farmers, and tradesmen—who transformed the Missouri frontier into a lasting home.

Kessler Cemetery, established in 1847, stands as the final physical vestige of the "Church of the Holy Savior, Jesus Christ". The site originated on five acres of private land donated by Joseph and Maria Louisa Kessler to the Diocese of St. Louis specifically for a Catholic church and burial ground. The first recorded interment was Joseph Wiedmaier in 1849, and the cemetery remained active for 74 years until the burial of Joseph M. Gerstner in 1923. The grounds serve as a hallowed memorial to at least seven Civil War veterans, including Wunibold Kessler and Jacob Wiedmaier, who both lost their lives in the conflict.

In 1896, following the establishment of a new Catholic cemetery in Easton, many families relocated their deceased loved ones, and the original access road was eventually abandoned, leaving the site landlocked and nearly forgotten. After decades of being reclaimed by nature, significant restoration efforts began in 2000 by local Boy Scouts and were revitalized in 2018 by a dedicated group of descendants and volunteers. Through successful fundraising and professional preservation, the historic headstones were restored in 2019, ensuring that the legacy of the Kessler Settlement pioneers is preserved for future generations.