The Keller Families of Crawford County, Ohio

AMOS F. KELLER.

Rising above the heads of the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune, and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of commonplace to eminence and positions of respect and trust. It is to his perseverance and indomitable energy that Amos F. Keller owes his success in life, as well as to his keen and brilliant mind. He has continued through life a diligent student, being now one of the best informed men on general subjects in Crawford county, and as an orator he also stands in the front rank.

A native son of the Buckeye state, Mr. Keller was born in the house where he still resides, his parents being Phillip and Hannah (Stucker) Keller. He acquired his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood, supplementing the knowledge there gained by a scientific course under Professor Churchill, of Oberlin University, and for eight years thereafter he also pursued the Ohio> teachers' reading course. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching in the district schools, which profession he followed for eighteen years during the winter months, while in the summers he worked in field and meadow. When twenty-one years of age he and his brother, John H., took charge of the home farm, which they conducted on the shares for two years, after which our subject had entire charge of the old homestead, the brother removing to another farm. On the 30th of October, 1895, Mr. Keller was united in marriage with Miss H. Maudesta Carrothers, a daughter of James B. Carrothers, of Vernon township and a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work. This union has been blessed with three children, — Constance Rebecca, John Carrothers and Robert Warren.

In political matters Mr. Keller was reared in the faith of the Republican party, and his first vote was cast in its favor, but in later life he has identified himself with the Labor party. In 1894 he was a candidate on the People3 ticket for congress, and in 1896 and again in 1900 he stumped this entire section of the country for Bryan. He has also held the position of organizer of labor under Powderly one year. Mr. Keller is a great reader, and in recent years his study has largely been confined to philosophical and historical works, while at the present time he is engaged in reading law. He has one of the largest and most complete general libraries in Crawford county. Religiously he is an active member of the German Reformed church, in which he is at the present time serving as an elder, and he is as broad-minded and liberal in his religious views as upon all other subjects. With a capacity and experience which would enable him to fulfill any trust to which he might be chosen, he has never sought to advance himself in office, but has been content to do his duty where he could and leave the self-seeking to others. Viewed in a personal light, he is a strong man, of excellent judgment, lair in his views and highly honorable in his relations with his fellow men. He is a man of very strong convictions, and his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. He has always been a student, and the scope and amplitude of his knowledge render him a charming conversationalist. He is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him, and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OLIVER J. KELLER.

Prominent in Liberty township is Oliver J. Keller, a progressive and representative business citizen of Crawford county and a member of the mercantile firm of O. & C. Keller, of Sulphur Springs. Mr. Keller was born in Northampton county Pennsylvania, on July 28, 1843, and was a son of Joseph and Lovina (Kline) Keller, the former of whom was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, about 1823, and was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shook) Keller, both also natives of Northampton county. In the spring of 1857 Jacob Keller, the grandfather of our subject, came to Crawford county and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sandusky township, and also one of eighty acres in Liberty township, making his home on the first tract, with his son, Joseph, residing there several years, and then removed to a property which he purchased in the village of Sulphur Springs, and upon which he resided until his death.

Joseph Keller, the father of our subject, came to Crawford county in

1857 with his father, and after some years of residence on the Sandusky township farm, purchased it and continued to live there until 1876, when he rented it to his son, Josiah, since deceased, and removed to Sulphur Springs, where he lived until his death, in 1891. In politics he was a Democrat in his earlier years, but the issues of the Civil war caused him to change and ever after he supported the Republican party. Through the greater part of his life he was an active member of the Reformed church, filling many of its offices, and was one of the most worthy citizens of the community.

The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, about 1825, and was a daughter of Jacob Kline, also a native of Pennsylvania, of German origin, who was one of the prominent farmers of Northampton county, where he passed his whole life. The death of the mother was in July, 1899. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Keller numbered eleven, the four survivors being: Oliver, of this sketch; Jeremiah, a painter residing in Easton, Pennsylvania; Rev. Reuben, a Reformed minister residing in White Pigeon, Michigan; and Albert D., a professor in Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio. Oliver J. Keller grew up in a moral and happy home. His education was pursued in the common schools. At the breaking out of the Civil war he offered his services to his country, enlisting on August 15, 1861, in Company C, Forty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and hence took part in these never-to-be-forgotten battles: Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Nashville and Franklin, and went through the Atlanta campaign, in fact took part in almost all of the important operations of that brave and gallant part of the Union army. At the battle of Stone River he was taken prisoner, on December 31, 1862, and was incarcerated in Castle Thunder and Libby prison for some thirty days. For the following five months he was on parole, his exchange taking place some time in May, when he returned to his command, finally receiving his discharge at Victoria, Texas, in the latter part of November, 1865, but did not reach home until on January 1, 1866.

After his return from the army Mr. Keller accepted a position as clerk in the mercantile establishment of A. Fry & Company, of Sulphur Springs, and remained in this capacity for two years, at the end of which period he purchased an interest in the business of J. H. Biddle & Company, of this place. Some years later the firm was merged into the firm of Scott & Keller, but several years afterward Mr, Keller sold his interest to his partner. Mr. A. J. Scott, and shortly after that purchased an interest in the business of Kloppenstein & Company. Some time later the interest of Mr. Kloppenstein was bought

3 is CEXTEXXIAL by C. A. Keller, who became a partner of our subject, and since that time the firm has been O. & G Keller. During the intervening years the industry and ability of these partners have resulted in the building up of an immense trade, and they are justly considered important factors in the mercantile business in Crawford county.

Mr. Keller is a stanch Republican, and has long been an active member of the Reformed church, holding many of the offices in it and supporting it liberally. Socially he is connected with the G. A. R. Mr. Keller is unmarried, but takes a prominent position in the social as well as business life of Sulphur Springs.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

O. J. KELLER, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Sulphur Springs, Craw'ford county, O., is one of the substantial citizens of Liberty township and is an honorable veteran of the great Civil War. He was born in Northampton county, Pa., in 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Lavina Keller. There were 11 children in the family, namely: O. J.; Jeremiah, who lives in Pennsylvania; Josiah, who is deceased; Reuben, who died at Lindsay, O., and who was a Reformed Lutheran minister; Mary Katherine, who is deceased; John IT. and Matilda, both of whom died young, and four who died in infancy.

O. J. Keller remained at home through his school period and afterward until the age of 18 years, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Co. C, 49th O. Vol. inf., under his cousin, Captain Keller, and Colonel Gibson, and served from Aug. 15, [861, until his honorable discharge in Texas, in November, 1863. Tie has a bright war record which proves that he was ever at his post of duty and participated in the hardships and dangers of his comrades on every occasion. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville, Missionary Ridge and the entire Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Stone River he was captured by the Confederates but was paroled six months afterwarti and later rejoined his regiment.

After his military service was over, Mr. Keller returned to Crawford county and embarked in the mercantile business at Sulphur Springs in which he has been engaged ever since. He has invested in village property and farm-land in the vicinity and has additional business interests. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is held in high regard by his brother veterans. Mr. Keller is a life member of the Reformed church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JOSIAH KELLER, farmer; P. 0. Tiro; was born in Northampton Co.. Penn., Oct. 14. 1846, and is the.son of Joseph and Lavinia (Kline) Keller. He received a good education, and at the age of 11, he with his parents removed to this State, settling where the son now lives. The father is now a respected and esteemed citizen of Annapolis. The subject of our sketch has lived on a farm, and has been a successful farmer. He was married in May, 1871, to Miss Maggie Rej-nolds, of Kansas. Of this marriage there have been three children — Lillie D., born Dec. 22, 1873; Lavinia B., born April 7, 1877, and died Nov. 30, 1879, and an infant born on the 8th of January, 1880. Mr. Keller is an enterprising, successful farmer, a man of enlightened views, and a Christian gentleman. He is a Republican in politics, and has alwa-s clung to that faith. He is a member of the church, and in every way an upright and substantial citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

One of the fertile and valuable farms of Crawford county is the property of John Keller, one of the leading agriculturists of this locality. He is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, born on the 3d of April, 1843, a son of Henry and Maria (Geip) Keller. The father was born in Northampton count)", Pennsylvania, in 181 6, and when fourteen years of age came with his parents to Ashland county, Ohio. In 1847 ue took up his residence in Crawford county, settling in Todd township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, but seven years later he sold that tract and purchased one hundred and thirty-three and a third acres north of Osceola, also in Todd township, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away on the ist of June, 1899. He was a Democrat in his political views and was a member of the German Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keller were born seven children, five of whom still survive: Hettie, the wife of W. Y. Fagin, of Sycamore, Ohio; John, of this review; Sarah, the wife of J. A. Welsh, of Wyandot county, Ohio; Nancy, the wife of Samuel Keifer, of Osceola; and Elias, a resident of Todd township. After the death of the mother of these children the father was again married, Miss Mary Baker becoming his wife, and they had one son, William, who resides at Lemert, Todd township.

John Keller, whose name introduces this review, acquired a limited education in the old log school house of his district. In February, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company E, Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the Lynchburg raid, was with Sheridan in the second engagement at winchester, and took part in the battles of Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill and many other engagements of the war. He was captured at Beverly, Virginia, on the 8th of January, 1865, and was sent to Libby prison, where, after forty days, he was paroled and exchanged, after which he returned to his home on a thirty days furlough. On the expiration of that period he returned to his command, and on the 31st of July, 1865, received his honorable discharge at Columbus and returned to his home. Mr. Keller then worked for his father until the following December, when he went to Michigan and worked as a farm hand there for one year. Again returning to his home, he then took charge of the old homestead, which he worked on the shares, and in August, 1872, he purchased his present farm of sixty acres, where he has since resided.

In 1866 Mr. Keller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah L. Mc- Creary, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and a daughter of John McCreary. They have had two children, but only one is now living, Eva L., the wife of J. C. Frost, who is serving as postmaster of Osceola. Our subject is liberal in his political views, but gives his preference to the Democracy. He is one of the most successful men of his community and is regarded as one of its well-to-do citizens.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DANIEL KELLER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Tiro. There is no more honored and respected name in northeastern Crawford County than that of Keller. George and Mary- Keller were the parents of eigUt children, only two of whom are living. They were married in Pennsylvania, and in 1827, emigrated to Stark Co., Ohio. After eighteen years of pioneer life, they removed to Cranberry Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, settling on the farm that is now owned by Daniel Keller— the subject of this biography. Mr. Keller was a man of powerful frame and constitution, and one well calculated to become one of the best and hardest pioneers of Crawford County. Here he built him a log cabin, where he and his wife lived happiljtogether until they were called to their final account before God. The mother died Aug. 26, 1854, a well-beloved and respected mother. Mr. Keller died Feb. 3, 1860. He was a man of a deep moral and religious nature, and his loss was keenlyfelt by a large circle of friends. Daniel Keller, the only son now living, was reared on the firm. His boyhood and early" manhood were similar to that of a great manjother boys of that time, with perhaps but few exceptions. He has been singularljunfortunate in his marriage relations, having been married four times, his first, second and third wives being dead. By his first wife, Catharine Eckis, to whom he was married in 1 848, died in 1854, leaving him two children to care for. His second wife, Annie Crall, to whom he was married in 1859, died without issue. Mr. Keller's third wife was Margaret Smith, daughter of the old pioneer preacher Smith. She died in 1871, bearing Mr. Keller four children — John S., Emma, Minnie and one that died in infancy. His first two children were Isaiah and Mary Mr. Keller is a kind and genial gentleman. He owns 80 acres of good land, is a Republican in politics, and holds to the United Brethren religion. lie is enterprising and industrious, and commands the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

J. & A. G.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB KELLER, farmer; P. O. Mehnore;

was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 1, 1831, and is a son of Peter and Susannah (Buchman) Keller. His father served six years in the regular army of his native country, and the balance of his life was devoted to farming. In the fall of 1852, he emigrated with his family to America, and came directly to Ohio, settling in Seneca Co. He arrived there Sept. 17 of that year, and, after residing there several years, he moved into Crawford Co., where he remained till his death, clearing up a farm with what assistance he received from his

I sons. He died in 1866, and his wife survives him. Jacob left the fatherland in advance of the rest of the family, arriving on the shores of the New World in August, 1851, and came direct to Seneca Co., Ohio, where he commenced laboring on a farm. Shortly after the arrival of his father's family he again went to work for his father, although he had reached the legal age, and could have been

I doing for himself. He labored thus for seven years, and then bought a farm of 80 acres, which he sold, and bought where he now

' lives, owning 180 acres of good land. He was man'ied April 5, 1860, to Catharine Stuckey, who came to this country fi-om Germany after an'living at womanhood. She died July 16, 1862, having borne one child: Adam J. He again entered the married state March 1, 1863, Mary Slowman becoming his wife. She was born in Germany June 26, 1843, and is a daughter of Frederick J. and Ellen

[ N. Slowman, and came to this country in 1852. Their child-eu are named respectively George B., Ellen N. S., Mary A., Jacob, Charley A., William M. and Louisa C. Both he and wife are members of the German Reformed Chm'ch, of which he is Treasurer, Secretary and Elder. He has always been a Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE KELLER, physician and surgeon, Bucyrus. This gentleman is an eminent physician of Bucyrus, and of Crawford Co., where he is well known as a man of varied knowledge and skill in the practice of his profession; he was born Nov. 24, 1826, in Franklin Co., Penn.; his father removed to Ohio when George was 3 years old; his youth was spent in Dalton; in the meantime he attended subscription schools, and at the age of 15 entered an academy at Dalton, and soon became interested in the study of medicine; a portion of his time was spent in teaching; he commenced his medical studies under Dr. Harley, then of Dalton, but now a physician of Lima, Ohio; DeKalb, in the northeastern part of this county, was the scene of his debut as a practitioner; some time being spent here with good success, he went to Cleveland and entered the medical college there, attending during the sessions of 1846 and 1847; he then returned to Dalton and practiced there until March, 1850, when he became physician for a party consisting of 240 persons, who were traveling overland to California; this journey lasted 108 days, and was fraught with some accidents and fatal occurrences, nine men being killed by Indians on Pitt River; on July 4, 1850, they reached their journey's end, arriving at a point on the Sacramento River; for six months Dr. Keller practiced in Yuba City and Marysville; in May, 1851, he returned to Ohio and stationed himself at West Liberty, this county, where he remained three years and had a good practice; in the winter of 1852-53, he graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College; soon after, he located in Bluffton, Ind., practicing there for eighteen months; he returned to Bucyrus in 1861, where he has since resided, excepting two years spent at Churubusco, Whitley Co., Ind.; he was, in 1877 and 1878, a member of the Faculty of the Ft. Wayne College. He was married, Oct. 3, 1848, to Mary J. English, of Canton, Ohio; of this marriage four children are living — Maud, Annie, Kittie and Frank. Dr. Keller has ever sustained a widespread reputation for skill in the practice of his profession, and is noted as well for his literary ability and his extensive knowledge of various topics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.