Born in 1862, her given name was Dorthea, and she was baptized in 1863 in Hanover Lutheran Church north of Cape Girardeau.
She was the 7th of 8 children.
Her father William was a farmer and baker. He operated the Theuerkauf Bakery on the southwest corner of Broadway and Sprigg. According to City Land Tax records, he owned 4 lots in 1872, 9 lots in the city in 1885. By 1890, the number had grown to 15. William died in 1889, and was buried in the old Lorimier Cemetary in Cape Girardeau. Dora's mother was Johanne Sophia Allers (1825-1869). William and Johanne were married 30 Nov 1851 in Cape Girardeau. Both were German immigrants.
It's not known when he began his bakery business, but after he died in 1889, his daughter Hermina Bremmerman took over the business.
Dora worked in St. Louis, living with her older brother Frederick, who was a baker in St. Louis. Her younger sister Alvina also worked in St. Louis, also living with her brother at 1833 Garrison Ave. in St. Louis.
On 8 June 1892 Dora married Carl Kessler, who was from Peoria, Illinois. Marriage License (PDF file format-191 Kb) They were married in St. Marks Lutheran Church, the same church where Alvina married Edward F. Regenhardt 9 Sep 1891.
In the 1889-1890 St. Louis City Directory listing, Charles Kessler and Anthony Kessels operate a grocery at 1427 Benton Street. Charles lives next door at 1425 Benton.
In the 1891-1892 directory, Carl Kessler is working as a driver in St. Louis. Could he be a grocery driver for his uncle/father/brother/cousin, Charles Kessler?
The 1892 -1893 City Directory microfilm was missing when I was doing this research in May, 2003 at the St. Louis County Library.
In the 1893 - 94 directory, Henry Regenhardt (older brother of Edward) is listed as a grocer at 1427 Benton Street. There is no listing for Carl Kessler. I'm thinking that he and Dora moved to Peoria. There is no listing for Charles Kessler. Perhaps Henry has bought the grocery business from Charles Kessler and Anthony Kessels.
In the 1894 - 95 directory, Henry is again listed as a grocer at 1427 Benton Street. Then in the 1895 - 96 directory, Edward Regenhardt is listed as a grocer at 1427 Benton.
I have found out very little about Carl and Dora in Peoria.
The 1920 Census lists Dora W. Kessler, a widow, living as a boarder at the home of John and Emma Walter at 200 Montana Street in Peoria. So, Carl has died before 1920.
I believe that Dora and her two daughters visited the Edward Regenhardt family in 1912 in Jennings, MO while Ed was the U.S. Marshall in St. Louis. This picture shows that visit. Perhaps the picture is taken by Carl Kessler. This house still exists today at 2449 Hord Avenue in Jennings.
From left: William McKinley, Dora's daughter, Dora Kessler, Dora's older daughter, Theodore Roosevelt (Ted), Norma, Edward F., Edward Taft, and Alvina.