Ezra M. Keller

As printed in 1902

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 Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.