The Keller Families of Wyandot County, Ohio

JACOB KELLER, one of the oldest citizens of this county, was born in Virginia, in 1797. He is a son of John and Susan (Stengley) Keller, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and came to Ohio about 1799, locating at Chillicothe, removing to the Pickaway Plains six years later. They died in Franklin County, Ohio. Mr. Keller left his father's home and began business for himself at twenty-three. He was engaged eleven years at teaming, and then began farming, spending eight years in that business in Marion County, then moving to Wyandot, where he has since resided. He came to this county in 1825, and purchased 160 acres, which he afterward sold and then procured his present farm of forty acres, on which he has since resided. Mr. Keller was married in 1820, to Maria Warren, who was born in Ohio and daughter of Parker Warren, a native of Delaware. They have nine children, six living: Alfred, John, Nelson, Harrison, Steward J. and Ann. The mother of these died March 24, 1868, and Mr. Keller was married February 10, 1870, to Elizabeth Schrull n6e McNickle, widow of Jacob Schrull. Mr. K. is now in his eighty-seventh year, and one of the representative pioneers of the county. He was injured to hard labor early in years, and has experienced most of the trials incident to pioneer life.

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

JOHN KELLER was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 23, 1843. He is a son of Harrison D. and Susanna (Young) Keller, his father being a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born February 9, 1812. His parents were married in Marion County, Ohio, April 5, 1838, and thirteen children were born to them, eight of whom are now living, namely: John, Henry C, Mary J., George W., Adaline, Charles Turney D., Chase and Levinia. The mother died October 2, 1862, the father still living, a resident of Nevada. John Keller resided with his parents till twenty-one years of age, and after four months' employment as fireman of a saw mill enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service at Camp Chase in Septenber, 1863. He was on post duty during most of the time of his service, having participated in no battles. His discharge was received in June, 1864. On his I'return from the war, Mr. Keller engaged at general job work about one year; farmer, rented land three years, and then purchased forty acres of his present farm, to which he has since added, till he now owns 136 acres, valued at $80 per acre. Mr. Keller was married August 22, 1850, to Jane Leith, who was born in this county June 17, 1840 (see sketch of Hiram Leith), and eight children were born to them, namely: Florence N., January 14, 1868; Edward M., July 14, 1870; Chancy B., May 7, 1872; Mary J., March 10, 1874; Laura E., May 28, 1876; Gracie, January 3, 1879; Charles L., January 1, 1880; and Maggie L., August 16, 1882.

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

LEVI W. KELLER, dealer in groceries, provisions, queensware. etc., Upper Sandusky, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 22, 1824. He is the son of Henry and Christina Keller, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Dauphin County, and the latter of Northampton County. They were married in Piqua County, having removed there in an early day, and were the parents of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, Levi M., John M.,

Mary A. Jacob, Henry and Alfred. Iq 1823, they removed to Seneca County, where they both died — the mother in 1840, aged forty years; the father, in 1853, aged fifty-six years. Levi W. Keller, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon the farm, and educated in the common schools of Seneca County. At the age of eighteen he went to Wooster, Ohio, and learned the painter's trade, operating in Wooster and Tiffin until twenty-eight years of age. He then removed to Upper Sandusky, working at his trade about three years, after which he removed to his farm, formerly purchased, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880. He then moved back to Upper Sandusky and engaged in the real estate and butchering business until 1882, when, in partnership with his son, he purchased the grocery store of Gr. G. Kramer, in which occupation he is still engaged, carrying a stock valued at $6,000. In 1881, he disposed of his farm to J. F. Myers, for a consideration of $11,000. Mr. Keller was married December 17, 1851, to Margaret Schriver, of Seneca County, and six children have blessed their union, namely: Prudenca C, born September 27, 1852; Levi, F., February 18, 1854; Sarah A., July 8, 1855; Mary A., November 6, 1856; Lewis H., February 24, 1858; and Emma C, February 14, 1860. Mrs. Keller was born August 4, 1822. Mr. Keller has amassed a large amount of property, located in different parts of the county. He served as a public minister in the Church of God forty years, all his family being now connected with that organization.

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

EZRA M. KELLER.

One of the most noteworthy facts connected with country life in the United States is the easy manner in which a vocation may be varied or wholly changed. General Grant in his memoirs expressed his surprise and gratification at the easy manner in which his soldiers could carry on all phases of the art of war from their own knowledge of the various trades. They could print a newspaper, build a bridge, cook a meal of victuals to perfection, conduct a touring-mill or saw-mill, and in fact could do anything he wanted done. It is the custom in the armies of Europe to take with them on their war campaigns special artificers to do the special duty or service likely to be required. The truth is that the average soldier of the army of the L’nited States is higher up in the scale of intelligence and improvement than his European brother. He knows more and hence can accomplish more. This fact is well exemplified in the subject of this sketch, who seems capable of doing anything required of him. Such skill, while often met with, is not altogether common. He was born May 31, 1856. on the old Keller homestead in Ridge township. He is the child of Adam Keller, a native of Berks county, Penn., born June 15. 1810. and a most remarkable man in many respects. His earlier years were spent in Berks county, but later he removed to Lewisburg. that state, where he married a Miss Elizabeth Stahl, and embarked in the boot and.-1106 trade. Later he resolved to go to Ohio, having heard of the openings for young blood in the “Sandusky country. ' He walked the whole distance from his Pennsylvania home to that portion of Ohio, selected his land and paid for it. and returned to Pennsylvania, making this trip also on foot. In 1834 he moved to Amanda township, Hancock county, Ohio, now Ridge township, Wyandot county, with his wife and three children and settled on one hundred and ninety acres of the densest forest. His start here was his land, his family and half a dollar in cash. Ail went to work and in-the course of time made a fine home in what had been an almost impenetrable forest of large trees. He became one of the most prosperous and thrifty farmers in the whole of Wyandot county. His first wife bore him the following children: John, Jacob. Sarah, Mary, Susan, Libby. Kate and another that died in infancy — in all nine. His first wife died, leaving him a large family of small children, hut his second wife proved a kind mother to the little ones of the former wife, as well as to her own. By his second marriage he had eleven children, their names being as follows: Eliza, Martha, Emma, Fillmore, Laura, Ezra M. (subject), Ida. Elmer, Eva, William and Minnie. He was thus the father of twenty children by his first and second wives. His second wife was formerly Caroline Eva. Upon her death he married. September 9. 1877. Mrs. Sarah Lantz, widow of John Lantz and daughter of Peter and Sarah ( fleck) Foulk, the father a native of the Keystone state and the mother of Germany. By his third marriage Mr. Keller had

' no children. Mrs. Keller, the third wife, had one child by her former marriage. Oliver Perry, who died at the age of eighteen years. Adam Keller was a man in whom the moral instinct was unusually developed. Couple that with a strong intellect and a high character and his life may be readily °-nessed.

He was a pioneer of the Lutheran church in northern Ohio, and his name became widely known among the members of that church in the western half of the state. Soon after his arrival here he became one of the founders of the Limestone Ridge English Lutheran church and from that time forward was one of its most earnest and consistent members. He did a vast amount of work to build up not only that particular congregation, but every other within the bounds of his knowledge and influence. He gave a portion of his farm for a church and cemetery site, and gave much means and labor to build the first log church and the second better chapel. He was a steady contributor to every movement inaugurated by his church for the advancement of the cause of religion. It would be impossible to enumerate his many benefactions, because, like all genuine philanthropists, he kept no account on earth of his gifts. He knew he would receive his reward after death. Everybody at his death mourned with the family as if they had lost one of their own number.

The subject of this sketch remained with his father until he attained the age of twenty-one years, when, on September 1 2, 1878. he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Walton, of Tymochtee township, and by her he had the following five children: Roy died in infancy; Ray died at the age of sixteen years: Harry B., Bernice May and Jestin Eulalia. Harry B. is now a student: in the high school at Carey, this county, of the class of 1904. His taste inclines him towards a commercial life. Bernice May is thoroughly educated in the common branches and also in both vocal and instrumental music. She loves mathematics and has taken the Boxwell examination. The mother of these children was born in Tymochtee township, this county, June 13. 1858, the daughter of William and Delilah (Parker) Walton, who were the parents of five children. William Walton was a native of Ross county. Ohio, born December 1 21, 1824. and died April 15, 1893. He was a widely known and highly respected pioneer. His wife was also born in Ross county, and died in 1883 aged fifty-eight years. They were both members of the United Brethren church. She was reared and educated in her native county. She; with her husband is a member of Temple: Xo. 169, Rathbone Sisters, at Carey. The subject has in his possession one of the typical old hall clocks, over a century old.

I which has been handed down from general-; tion to generation, and also two coverlets i over a century old.

After his marriage subject located on; the old home farm, remaining one winter, and then went to Hancock county and rented one of his father's farms. Later he rented the old place for seven years, and then for two years was a dealer in farming implements in Carey under the firm name of Coruthers & Keller. He then returned to the old place, tie now owns seventy acres i of the old farm and carries on farming and j stock raising, particularly favoring fine

Duroc Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep. I lie is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a member of Justice Lodge, No. 393, K. of P., of Carey.

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

George Keller, a representative of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed pioneer families of Wyandot county, is acceptably filling the office of sheriff, bringing to the discharge of his duties the energy, public spirit and conscien-

tiousness which are traditions in his family and which have made its members honored and respected here since early times. He is a native of Upper Sandusky, bom March 6, 1860, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Brooks) Keller, natives of Germany. The father was born in Hockenheim, Baden, Jime 13, 1829, and when he was twenty-three years of age came to America, arriving in Ohio in the spring of 1852. He lived for a short time at Sandusky and then came to Upper Sandusky, where he was an honored resident for nearly sixty years with the exception of a few months that he and his family spent in Belleville, Illinois, in 1866. Joseph Keller worked as a laborer, assisting in the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad through this part of Ohio and for years had charge as foreman of the first section of that road west of Bucyrus. In the '80s he sen'ed for six years as city street commissioner under the administration of D. D. Hare, but for a number of years before his death lived a retired life. He was a devout and faithful member of the Catholic church during his entire life and was one of the greatest individual forces in its spread and expansion in this part of the state. At the time he made his first location here there was no church edified in Wyandot county and Joseph Keller was one of the band of twenty-five men who erected the first church building and school. He passed away in 1912, in his eighty-third year, and his death was widely and deeply regretted by those among whom he had spent the best part of his life and who honored his integrity and respected his deep sincerity and strength of purpose. Mr. Keller married Miss Mary Brooks, a daughter of Christian and Mary Brooks, both deceased. She was also born in Germany, her natal day being April 3, 1839. She was ten years of age when she came to America with her parents, settling at Mansfield, whence they later moved into Salem township. Her marriage occurred in 1855 and Mrs. Keller proved a worthy and loyal helpmate to her husband during fifty-one years of wedded life. In their family were ten children: Frank B.; Mary; George, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of Fi-ank Mossbrugger; William, who died in infancy; Bosie Amelia, the wife of Alexander Hampsch, of Cleveland; Bertha; Edward; Clara, the wife of Frank Volz, of Columbus; and William, the second of the name, who passed away at the age of two.

George Keller acquired his early education in the parochial and public schools of Upper Sandusky but laid aside his books at the early age of ten in order to work as a house boy. After three years he obtained employment in a tile and brick yard, spending six years there, after which he worked on a railroad construction train for three years. He spent a similar period of time as clerk in a local produce store and then bought a drayage business, which he conducted successfully for four years. For one year thereafter he worked as a laborer and from 1890 to 1895 engaged in various occupations, finally becoming a member of the local police force. He continued his connection with it until 1902, when he was made marshal of Upper Sandusky, serving loyally and ably until 1909. He resumed private work in that year but in 1912 was elected sheriff of Wyandot county, an office which he still holds. He has proved himself ideally fitted for this position, for he possesses the integrity, ability and courage necessary for the discharge of his duties and he has, moreover, a conscientious public spirit which makes him always alert and eager in the interest of the community.

Mr. Keller married, on June 24, 1902, at Upper Sandusky, Miss Minnie Fritchie, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Shxuner) Fritchie, of Upper Sandusky. She also is a representative of one of the pioneer families in the city, her father, Frederick Fritchie, Sr., having been for years one of the best known and most highly respected residents of the community. He was born in Oesingen, Baden, Germany, in 1850, and remained in his native pro-since until he was sixteen years of age. He learned the shoemaker's trade and followed this occupation all during his life having been for twenty-eight years at the Peifer shoe store in this city. During the years 1870 to 1872 he served in the German army and took part in many of the engagements of the Franco-Prussian war. He arrived in America on May 6, 1876, and spent some time in Philadelphia, after which he made his home in Wyandot county. He was a faithful member of St. Peter's church and a force in local Catholic circles, having been a charter member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio. He married, on April 23, 1878, Miss Mary Shmner, of Norwalk, who died July 13, 1894. To their union were born four children: Minnie the wife of the subject of this review; John, who is connected with the clothing firm of Fritehie & Pierman; and Fred W,, Jr., and George E., both of Upper Sandusky.

George Keller gives firm allegiance to the democratic party and has always been active and loyal in matters of citizenship. He was for three years a member of the Kirby Light Guards and fraternally is connected with the Catholic Knights of Ohio. He has always been a devout and faithfiU attendant of the Catholic church. Those things which are honorable and worthy find exemplification in his life and his actions are at all times prompted by high and upright standards. He has kept alive family traditions and has added something to the luster of the name which for half a century has stood in Upper Sandusky for integrity, conscientiousness and honor.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.