My Genealogy Hound

S. W. KIESTER, physician, Pleasant Hill; one of the prominent physicians of Miami Co.; was born in Newton Township in 1842; he is of English and German descent. Peter K., his father, was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1840, locating near Pleasant Hill, in the vicinity of which he passed the rest of his days. He was united in marriage, in Pennsylvania, to Miss, Mary Bashore, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kiester’s death occurred Aug. 24, 1876, aged 59 years 9 months and 7 days; he is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, and over his grave has been reared a large, beautiful and imposing monument of marble, commemorative of his life and death. Dr. Kiester’s early life was that of a farmer boy; at the age of 17, he entered the National Normal Institute of Lebanon, and spent several subsequent summers as a student there, his winter months being devoted to teaching; at the age of 21, he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating at the age of 25; he located at Laura, in this county, and began the practice; after seven years of successful work, he sold out, and purchased the large farm on which he now resides, thinking to retire from the profession; but by request of his brother, he went with him to Arcanum, where he spent two years in practice, and then removed to his large farm in 1877; since then he has been engaged in managing and discharging the duties of his profession; his life is a fair illustration of what energy and correct business habits can accomplish. His nuptials were celebrated with Miss Sophia Williams Oct. 6, 1867; she is a great-granddaughter of Michael Williams, the first settler on the banks of the Stillwater, and granddaughter of the Rev. John Williams, the pioneer preacher of the Upper Stillwater. One child, Pearl, was given to them Sept. 14, 1874.