George Keller

As printed in 1913

GEORGE KELLER.

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 Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement; (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.