Fessler: A Man Above Reproach

W.N. and Etta Fessler

W.N. Fessler known as Wilbur was born on February 5, 1866 in Perry, Iowa. He married Etta Bennett on February 11, 1889 and they lived on a farm in Iowa for the next ten years. Next they lived on a farm in North Dakota for nine years. In 1909 the family moved to the Bitter Root for eleven months then took up a homestead three miles west of Philipsburg in the Flint Creek Valley. He settled there on the advice of his brother Dr. Emmett Fessler, who died in 1925. 

In the possession of LouAnn Fessler Sichveland is a notebook full of memories that Nina Eva Fessler recalled and wrote down sometime in the mid century. Born to Etta and W. N. Fessler, Nina began with her birth on Wednesday September 17, 1902 at McHenry, North Dakota; then her sister Leonita Gwendolyn Crystal was born December 18, 1903 also at McHenry, North Dakota. Nina indicated that they lived in North Dakota through 1907. In 1908 all the family “took a trip to Stevensville to visit Uncle Elmer, Dr. in Stevensville. Stayed all winter.” In 1909 they moved to Stevensville and she and Leonita went to the first grade there; “Kermit Wilbur was born there on December 22.” 

The family moved to Philipsburg on a homestead in 1910 and Vinson Bodkin was born on July 4. The middle name Bodkin was his grandmother’s maiden name; “Uncle Elmer Dr. in P’Berg.” In 1912 “Cains bought Dr. Fessler’s Homestead next to us.” Nina did not make any entries again until 1917 when Frank went into the military “and only stayed 6 weeks.” The family story is they could not find his birth records, so sent him home. 

Arthur and Cecil went into the Service on June 1, 1919 and Leonita died on July 22. Leonita’s obituary in the Mail, July 26, 1918 stated: “…14 years old and youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Fessler died at the family home…after an illness of only a week’s duration. Death resulted from Chorea complicated with endocarditis.” Her funeral was held after Cecil and Arthur were able to return from encampment at Petersburg, Virginia on July 27. 

W.N. Fessler was rural mail carrier on the Rock Creek route April, 1911 through 1917, then route was cancelled because of World War I. “Wilbur worked as a contractor and business man who was above reproach in his dealings.” He contracted pneumonia and died at his home on October 5, 1932. Survivors were: wife Etta, sons, Arthur of Portland, Cecil of Roseburg, and Frank, Kermit and Vinson of Philipsburg; two daughters, Mrs. Nina Drinville and Mrs. Ina Sharkey; a brother Lewis and a sister Mrs. S.J. Ballard of Iowa; and three grandchildren. Internment was in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Nina Fessler chronicles: “1962- Mom went to Stevensville October 13 came home for Xmas, also Judy (Fessler Naef) and John (Naef) they live in Kent Washington. Mom went back 1st of Jan(uary). 1963- Went to see Mom on Easter. Mom died Fri (April) 19th.” Etta Flora Bennett Fessler was a midwife during the 20’s and 30’s in and around Philipsburg and was the rural mail carrier when W.N. took his vacations. 

Kermit Fessler (1909-1975) married Cecile Porter from Oregon and they had Janet and Judy. Janet married and lived in Oregon with children Heidi and Brent. Judy married John Naef and they live in Washington and Arizona. They had three daughters: Paula, Lisa and Jonna (b.d.1963); three grandchildren and a great grandson Mason. 

Frank Nicholas Fessler known as “Stub” (1892-1967) married Beatrice Beekman (1910-1967). Stub bought the rural school houses when they closed and remodeled them into dwellings, two of which are located near Skalkaho Junction. 

Cecil Fessler and Arthur Fessler did not remain in Montana after the War was over. Vinson (Vince) (d-1987) worked for the Trout Mining Company when he married Maxine (Kopie) Ray (1914-1987) on March 16, 1935. Vince bought property from Joe Porter on the south west corner of Porter’s Lane and worked for years on the ranch plus had a trucking business with his brothers hauling ore for Taylor and Knapp and other mining companies. Their daughter Mryna married Ed Leiphmer. They live in Butte and Georgetown Lake and have four children: Edwin G., Mark, Stacey, and Jill and many grand and great grandchildren. Daughter, LouAnn married Don Sichveland (1937-2008) and remained in Philipsburg as do their sons: Thor and Dirk. Daughter Krista and granddaughter Ashley live in Missoula. 

Ina Fessler (1897-1984) married Patrick Sharkey (1893-1975) in September 1918. Their son Cecil (1926-2016) married Dionysia (1926-1995). They are survived by two sons; Jim and Rick; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. 

W.N. and Etta’s heirs continue life’s above reproach in Granite County and other states.