'UNCLE GUS" KESSBERGER!: I WAS SO SURPRISED TO PULL THIS UP TONIGHT AND FIND A PHOTOGRAPH OF MY MOTHER'S UNCLE GUS, FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.....HE WAS A DISTINGUISHED PHOTOGRAPHER AND WAS A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF SPRINGFIELD SOCIETY. HIS FATHER, AUGUST, CAME FROM WEISBADEN, GERMANY IN 1852 I BELIEVE....HE CAME THROUGH NEW ORLEANS, THEN UP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AUGUST FIRST HAD A WAGON BUSINESS, THEN A FANCY MEN'S STORE....ON A MAIN FLOOR BUILDING, WITH ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LAW OFFICE ABOVE. LATER HE ADDED INSURANCE, AND HE AND SEVERAL OF HIS SONS WERE IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.
MY MOTHER'S FATHER WAS GEORGE PHILIP FREDERICK LENHART KESSBERGER,WHO WORKED IN THE SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS, LATER MOVING TO DETROIT. I HAVE VISITED SPRINGFIELD, BUT WANT TO GO BACK TO THE MAIN CEMETERY WHERE LINCOLN IS BURIED, TO FIND THE GRAVES OF AUGUST AND WIFE, CHRISTINA....I HAVE RESEARCHED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER RELATIVES. MARY SAYRE. YOU CAN EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT {msayre7727@att.net}.5
Mrs. Mabel Irene (Renee Burdett) Paynter, died July 31, 1933, at New York City, age 47 years. Survived by husband, E. J. Paynter, New York; father, A. W. Kessberger, Springfield; two sisters, Mrs. M. L. Wise, city, and Mrs. C. M. Clifford, Champaign; and two brothers, Lawrence A., St. Joseph, Mo. and Frank of city. Remains will be brought in Springfield for funeral and interment.
IL State Journal, Springfield, IL, 8-2-1933
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A later funeral notice stated she was known professionally as Renee Burdett, dramatist and authority on Indian lore.
Died at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 1908, at the residence of her parents, at Capitol avenue and Spring street, Miss Elsie Kessberger, aged 18 years and 1 day. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the residence. The interment will be made in Oak Ridge cemetery. The death of Miss Kessberger was caused from numerous poisons in water which she drank by mistake July 4. She had been mixing colors in a glass and left the glass in her room. During the night she was thirsty and drank from the glass by mistake. The following day she was ill and her condition grew worse. Physicians were summoned and used every effort in combat with the effects of the lotion, and for a time it was thought she would rally from the illness. Miss Kessberger was removed to the hospital, but desired to be at home, and was again taken to the family residence. For days she lingered, and would rally temporarily and would then have a sinking spell. In spite of the constant medical attendance at her bedside, her condition was such Friday night that all hope of recovery was abandoned, and the end came yesterday morning.
Probably no girl of her age in this city was better known than Miss Kessberger. She was born and reared in this city and attended the public schools. She also attended the High school and the Bettie Stuart institute. The decedent wsa a musician of note, and her talent in drawing was also noteworthy. She loved art and her work in water colors was commendable. She had also made a number of friends in this city.
She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Kessberger, sisters, Leona, wife of Gus M. Wise of Indianapolis; Irene, who was recently married to Howard Wellington Gillete of Chicago, and Miss Clara Kessberger of this city. She is also survived by two brothers, Lawrence and Frank Kessberger. Mrs. Gillete, sister of the decedent, who was married during her sister's illness, and whose reception was abandoned, was telegraphed for and arrived in this city last evening. IL State Journal, Springfield, IL 7-19-1908.