Max Kessel's birth and death dates are unknown. He served in the German army during World War II, after which he seems to have returned to his home village of Trübenbach, where he was a basket-maker. Trübenbach was near the town of Lichtenfels, which is still known for its basket-making industry today.
Kessel was married to Lina Stumpf; they had one daughter, Lotte. Kessel was also the guardian of a Barbara Kessel (born Nov. 1, 1940) until 1953 when his guardianship was terminated. Some of the papers also mention an Eduard Kessel, living at the same address – perhaps Max's father. In addition to basket-making, the family seems also to have grown some crops, and at some point Lina worked in a porcelain factory.
