Robert John Culbertson Cessna
Born: April 7, 1814
Married: September 5, 1843
Died: August 27, 1890
Buried: Cessna Cemetery, Powderly, Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky
Father: Robert Cessna
Mother: Elizabeth Culbertson
Spouse: Angeline Calvert
Died: March 10, 1906
Buried: Cessna Cemetery, Powderly, Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky
Father: Bennet Gray Calvert
Mother: Henrietta Clark
Robert John Culbertson Cessna was born April 7, 1814 to Robert Cessna and his wife, Elizabeth Culbertson. He was the youngest of 8 children, 6 sisters and one brother, Charles, who, per the research thus far, did not live to adulthood or father any children. Robert was named after his father and maternal grandfather, John Culbertson.
On January 29, 1838, Robert J.C. was appointed guardian to Robert Newton Berryman, orphan of Thomas Berryman with Adlai Boyd (brother-in-law) and William Sharp (1st cousin) listed as securities. Robert Berryman was the minor child of Margaret “Peggy” Cessna, Robert J.C.'s sister, and her husband Thomas Berryman. Peggy died in 1837, the same year their mother died. Robert J.C. was 23 years old when he was appointed guardian.
On September 5, 1843, at the age of 29, Robert J.C. Cessna married 18 year old Angeline Calvert, daughter of Bennet Gray Calvert and Henrietta Clark. The Calvert family lived in the community of Powderly and both Bennet and Henrietta are buried at the Cessna Cemetery which is located in Powderly next to the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Robert J.C.'s occupation was farmer.
Per Edgar Cessna, grandson of Robert J.C. and Angeline, Angeline liked to refer to herself as “Angeline, Sarah Fine, Josephine Calvert-used-to-be.” She was described by Edgar as very tiny and bubbly and full of energy and fun and always laughing.
Children of Robert J.C. Cessna & Angeline Calvert:
Angeline and Robert J.C. raised the 5 children of Robert Marion and Kathryn Amanda Culbertson Cessna after Katie died in 1879, four months after giving birth to her youngest child, Tom Cessna.
The eldest child of the next marriage of Robert Marion and Sarah Margaret Tooley was named Edgar and he spent a great amount of time at his grandparent's home. He recalled to his children and grandchildren many years later that Angeline had hanging over her hearth the Revolutionary sword and powder horn belonging to Col. Charles Cessna and she made a point of telling her grandchildren that they were descended from Lord Baltimore Calvert of Virginia.
Angeline Calvert Cessna died March 10, 1906, and Robert John Culbertson Cessna died August 27, 1890. Both are buried at Cessna Cemetery, Powderly, Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky.
See also The Cessna Family in Muhlenberg and McLean Counties
Contributed by Cheryl Cessna
Updated July 23, 2017