Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KEINARD,
DAVID

p. 1107

Surnames: KEINARD, EAMES, WAGNER, KERPER, BITLER, SWAVELY,
SCARLETT, KENNEDY

David Keinard, a well-to-do citizen and landowner of Robeson
township, Berks county, who is now devoting his attention to truck
farming, was born in 1859, in Robeson township, son of Peter and
Christiana (Eames) Keinard.

Peter Keinard, who was a farmer and collier by
occupation, was of German extraction, and lived and died in Robeson
township. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran and Reformed
Churches, respectively, and had three children: Mahlon, m. to Ella
Wagner; Mary, m. to Joseph Kerper; and David. Mr. Keinard was a
Democrat all of his life, but never held public office.

David Keinard was educated in the schools of
Robeson township, and after completing his studies engaged in
farming, at which he has been occupied ever since. He purchased his
present farm in 1879, a tract of fifty-six acres known as the Jacob
Bitler property, and here he has made many improvements. He also
owns twenty-four acres of timber land, known as the Swavely tract,
formerly owned by the Scarletts.

In 1879 Mr. Keinard married Margaret E. Kennedy,
daughter of Edwin Kennedy, and to them have been born nine
children, namely: George, Milton, Edwin, Bertha, Laura, Frederick,
Elmer, Heber and Howard. The family attend the Lutheran Church.
Politically Mr. Keinard is a Democrat.

KEISER,
HENRY P.

p. 1565

Surnames: KEISER, JACOBS, KRUMBINE, KINTZER, FIDLER

Among the members of the bar of Berks county there is none who has
forged to the front more rapidly or successfully than Henry P.
Keiser. Largely the architect of his own fortune, having been
dependent a great measure upon his own efforts, he had the
advantage of being associated early in his career with one of the
ablest attorneys of Reading ? the late J. Howard Jacobs.

Born in the borough of Womelsdorf, Berks county,
January 5, 1860, the son of John G. and Rebecca M. Keiser, his
early life was spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. He was
educated in the public schools of the borough, and later in the
Womelsdorf Academy, an institution which in its day ranked high in
advanced educational methods.

After the death of Prof. John S. Krumbine, the
principal of the school, Mr. Keiser taught in the public schools of
Womelsdorf from 1877 to 1881.

Being but seventeen years of age when he entered
the schoolroom as a teacher he had pupils in the higher classes who
were of his own age and he fully met the requirements of the School
Board and the patrons of the school.

While teaching he prepared himself for his
future career as a lawyer, and in 1879 he was registered as a
student-at-law with J. Howard Jacobs.

The latter had been for a number of years a
leading practitioner in the courts of Berks county, and as a
criminal lawyer had but few equals. It was among Mr. Keiser’s
duties, before his admission to the bar, to attend to all the
matters usually looked after by a lawyer’s clerk, and the training
that he thus received developed those methodical habits, and
thorough mastering of detail, that have stood him so well in his
career at the bar. Mr. Keiser was admitted to practice in the
several Berks county courts in November, 1883, and after his
admission, Mr. Jacobs invited him to remain in his office. Some
years afterwards the firm of Jacobs & Keiser was established,
and resulted in a very active and profitable business, which
continued until the decease of Mr. Jacobs in 1902. Since that year
Mr. Keiser has been practicing alone.

In May, 1908, Mr. Keiser was elected by councils
to the very important office of city solicitor for the term of
three years. From the very beginning he grasped the intricate
details of that office, as one well-versed in municipal affairs,
and has been called to render opinions in some very important
matters of city legislation, affecting vitally the interests of the
tax payers. He has also successfully defended some heavy suits
against the city, one of which, for the collection of retained
percentages brought by a company which had a street-paving
contract, resulted in a saving to the municipality of many
thousands of dollars.

In the multiplicity of his professional duties,
Mr. Keiser has had time to devote to politics, and being an
enthusiastic Republican he has always taken a great interest in
county, state, and national political affairs. He has been a
delegate to different conventions, and invariably took a leading
part in each. While thus looking after the welfare of his party,
and safely conserving the interests of the city in his official
position, he has ever been able to keep in touch with the general
practice of his profession.

In 1887, Mr. Keiser was made a Free-Mason in
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, Reading; and two years later he became a
Knight Templar in Reading Commandery, No. 42. He is also a member
of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. of M. S.

On May 6, 1882, Mr. Keiser was married to
Valeria A. Kintzer, a daughter of Isaac Y. Kintzer, who served as a
justice of the peace in Womelsdorf for many years. From 1895 to
1897, Mr. Kintzer was Warden of the Berks county Prison, an office
which he fulfilled with great fidelity. After his retirement from
that office he engaged in the grocery business in Reading, in which
he continued until his demise.

John G. Keiser, the father of Henry P., was a
prominent dealer in horses, having stables at Womelsdorf and in
Reading. Peter Keiser, the grandfather of Henry O., was a farmer in
Tulpehocken township, where his ancestors were among the first
settlers in that section of Berks county.

They came from the Palatinate. The maiden name
of Henry P. Keiser’s mother was Fidler, and her family is also a
very old and honorable one in the annals of Berks county.

Henry P. and Valeria A. Keiser have a daughter,
Edith R., who was a member of the class of 1906, Wellesley College.
The family are members of Trinity Lutheran church. Their home is on
Mineral Spring Road.

KEITH,
MICHAEL K.

p. 491

Surnames: KEITH, LUTZ, MAURER, TEXTER, BECKER, WERNER, BOHN,
HEFFNER, KEGERIZE, HARTING, MOYER, BINKLEY, CLAUDY, GENSEMER, RUTH,
EBLING, ZELLER, HOPPMAN, SHINGLE, BINKLEY, PENNEPACKER, PAINE,
HAIN, WOLF, WINTER, HARTING, BLANKENMILLER, HATT, LEININGER, KEITH

Michael K. Keith, merchant and postmaster at Brownsville for nearly
forty years, was born in Lower Heidelberg township, Berks. Co.,
Pa., Sept. 21, 1844. He was educated in the public schools and
brought up to farming and when he became of age he entered the
general store of Samuel K. Lutz, at Fritztown and was employed
there for two years. He then entered the general store Flickinger
& Lutz, at Brownsville, and after being in their service for a
year purchased the business and conducted it himself until 1898,
when he bought the store property. Forming a partnership with his
son, Harvey, they have traded since under the name of Michael Keith
& Son.

In 1893 Mr. Keith erected a creamery, and a
cidermill near the store. In 1898 farming implements were added as
a special business line, and in 1904 a butchering department was
also included for the purpose of manufacturing smoked sausages,
curing hams, etc., and these several branches have been carried on
successfully until the present time. A postoffice was established
in the store in 1869, and Mr. John B. Flickinger was the postmaster
until 1900, since when Mr. Keith has filled the position.

Mr. Keith married Maria Maurer, daughter of
Daniel Maurer, of Fritztown. Daniel Maurer was married twice. By
his first wife he had children: Isaac m. Anna Texter; Amanda m.
Adam Becker; Hannah m. John Texter; and Maria. His first wife dying
in 1898, Daniel Maurer then married Mrs. Elizabeth Werner, widow of
Joseph Werner. Michael K. Keith and his wife had three children:
Harvey m. Elizabeth Bohn; Adeline m. Jacob Heffner; and one died in
infancy. The mother of these children died in 1898.

Jacob Keith, father of Michael K., was a farmer
of Lower Heidelberg. He married Rachel Kegerize, daughter of
Christian Kegerize (whose wife was a Harting), and by her he had
twelve children: Angeline m. Nathaniel Moyer; Catharine m. Levi
Binkley; Michael K; Mary m. David Claudy; Mollie m. Henry Gensemer;
Susan m. Jonathan Ruth; Levi m. Anna Ebling; Rachel m. Ambrose
Zeller; Emma m. Joseph Hoppman; and three died young.

Michael Keith, the grandfather, was also a
farmer in Lower Heidelberg township. He married Elizabeth Shingle,
and by her had nine children: Jacob; Michael m. Elizabeth Binkley;
William m. Kate Pennepacker; Lucetta m. John Paine; Mary m. Michael
Hain; Harriet m. Levi Wolf; Catharine m. Samuel Binkley; Rosa m.
Charles Winter; and Hannah died unmarried.

Christian Kegerize, maternal grandfather of
Michael K. Keith, married a Miss Harting, and their children were:
Michael; Daniel m. Susan Blankenmiller; Christian m. Catharine
Hatt; Samuel m. Sarah Leininger; William; Rachel m. Jacob Keith;
and Susan never married.

KELCHNER, DANIEL F.

p. 410

Surnames: KELCHNER, FREY/FREYIN, STETZLER, WANNER, ROTHERMEL,
MERKEL, CHRIST, YOH, BEAVER, LORAH, SHEIRER, PETERS, HOCH

Daniel F. Kelchner, one of the leading businessmen of Fleetwood,
proprietor of the Fleetwood Creamery, owner of a creamery at
Moselem Springs, is a member of a family whose first representative
came to Berks county between 1731 and 1741.

Matthias Kelchner was the first to settle in
Richmond township, Berks county. Tradition says that four brothers,
George, Matthias, Michael and Henry emigrated between 1731 and
1741. Records show that Hans George Kelchner crossed the ocean on
the “Pennsylvania Merchant,” landing at Philadelphia in the fall of
1731, and that he and Matthias were brothers. It is probable that
Matthias was under twenty-one years of age in 1731, hence his name
is not on the passenger list. On the “Pennsylvania Merchant,”
landing in 1733, was Michael Kelchner, whose brother Henry also
came to America. These four settled in eastern Pennsylvania.

Michael Kelchner, son of Matthias, was a taxable
in 1759, in Richmond township. He married Maria Eva Frey, whose
tombstone bears the following inscription: “Maria Eva Freyin, wife
Michael Kelchner, had 4 sons 1 daughter. In 1761 she married Peter
Stetzler. With him she had 5 sons. She was married first in 1752.
She was born June 24, 1730, died March 14, 1807, aged 76 years 8
mos. 10 days.” She is buried at Zion’s Church in Perry township.
Three of Michael Kelchner’s children were: John m. and had a son,
Henry; Jacob m. (first) Magdalena Wanner, and had children –
Catharine, Maria Elizabeth and Daniel – and (second) Maria Wanner,
and had children -Jacob, Samuel (who had an only son, Isaac), Mary
and Hannah; Daniel. Michael Kelchner made his will Feb. 26, 1761
(See Book 1, p. 98) and his death occurred soon afterward. He gave
to his wife, Maria Eva, one-third of his large estate. His father
Matthias and his friend Christian Rothermel were his executors. It
is probable that two of his children died young, as one item in his
will is as follows: “That the three children shall be sent to
church and school diligently, and that they shall be instructed in
English and Dutch.”

George Kelchner, of Richmond township, on Dec.
13, 1794, made his will as recorded in Will Book B, p. 356, and
witnessed by Casper Merkel and John Christ, with Peter Kelchner,
son of George, and the latter’s wife Agnes as executors. Peter
Kelchner received the Richmond township home. The six children
were: Peter; Mrs. Jacob Yoh; Henry; John; Jacob; and Esther.

John Kelchner, probably a son of George, lived
in Rockland township. He made his will in October, 1836, and it was
probated in November of the same year, and recorded in Book 7, p.
400. His son, Benjamin, and Samuel Beaver were executors. Leah
Lorah, daughter of his wife, was remembered in the will.

Jacob Kelchner was born in Richmond township,
July 11, 1801. He passed the greater part of his life engaged in
farming about one and a half miles from Fleetwood. In 1834 he
married Anna Sheirer, who was born in Maxatawny township. Thirteen
children were born of this union, namely: Samuel; Mary; Joel;
Edwin; Martin; Jacob; Hannah; Esther; Caroline; Isaac; Charles
Augustus; Daniel F.; and Wilson R. The father died April 21, 1861.

Daniel F. Kelchner was born in Richmond township
Oct. 6, 1852, and his education was acquired in the public schools
of his native township and Keystone State Normal School at
Kutztown. He was but seventeen when he began teaching, a profession
he continued in for three terms in Richmond and Ruscombmanor
townships, and at the end of that time he accepted a clerkship in a
general store at Fleetwood. He followed this business for ten
years, and then began in the produce business, continuing in same
up to the present time. He is also engaged in the operation of the
Fleetwood Creamery, and of another at Moselem Springs, each of
which ships about 5,000 pounds a year to the Philadelphia markets,
where good returns result. In July, 1901, Mr. Kelchner added the
manufacture of hosiery to his list of interests, and gives
employment to eighty-five people in that line. He has an
established reputation for honesty, and is industrious and
energetic, quick to see the practical side of new methods and adopt
them in his work.

Mr. Kelchner was married Sept. 9, 1885, to Emily
Peters, daughter of Joseph and Maria (Hoch) Peters, the former of
whom, now deceased, was engaged in a mercantile business in
Molltown. Five children have been born to this union: Raymond,
Harry, Walter, Daniel and Emily. Mr. and Mrs. Kelchner are members
of the United Evangelical Church at Fleetwood, in which he has been
a trustee some years. He is superintendent of the Sunday-school,
and is very popular in its work. In politics he is a Republican,
and for four years was school director, for six years a member of
the borough council. In 1907 he was one of the organizers of the
Fleetwood National Bank, of which he is now President. He is a
large property owner, and is a leading useful citizen, thoroughly
respected in both public and private life.

KELLER
FAMILY

p. 1700

Surnames: KELLER, FRITZCHE, REICHERT, DELP, ADAMS, SPECHT, WELDER,
BOYER, SEUSE, REODINGER, GERRETT, HEIST, MUTHART, GAVE, OSWALD,
WAHL, NOLL, FRY, MOYER, NEIMAN, BUSKIRK, SHAFFER, DE LONG, LEVAN,
STAPLETON, LA VAN, STERNER, FELTHOFER, SIPE, HESS, EGOLF, LONG,
RINKER, DAVIS, MILLER, DIENER, ECKERT, JACOBY, NEIMAN, CLOUSER,
BAST, MOSER, DILAPLAINE, RICHARDS, YOUSE, BRUMBACH, YODER, HILBERT,
SICKEL, KLINE, GUINTHER, BONENKEMPER, PIERSON, FISHER, STECKEL,
HEFFNER, DEYSHER, REBER, GRIM, LUCKENBILL, BUBENMOYER, HOFFMAN,
BARTZ, FRAZER, POTT, FEGLEY, FRAZER, HAAS, MERTZ, BARTO, HULL,
WELDER, KUHNS, SHUTZ

Keller. The Keller family of Rockland, Berks county, is of German
extraction, being descended from John Christophel (Christoffel)
Keller, better known as “Stoffel” Keller, who was born in Nitsche,
Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, son of Jacob Keller, a well known weaver
who resided at that place. Jacob Keller was the father of six
children, two of whom died in childhood. Two sons, both named Johan
Adam, were distinguished by being called “der grosse Johan” (Big
John) and “der kleine Johan” (Little John). John Christophel came
next, and there was one daughter, Elizabeth Catharine. The mothers
name is not known, but she had red hair, while all her children had
black hair.

In 1764 John Christophel Keller, then seventeen
years of age, came to America, in the companionship of a young man
named Fritsche, a relative, who was a younger brother of the
ancestor of the Fritsche family in America, who had come to this
country in 1737. Young Stoffels father gave him considerable money
in gold, which he sewed in a belt and carried on his body. He took
passage on the “Brittania,” Captain Arnot, from Rotterdam to
Philadelphia, where young Keller landed Sept. 26th, alone. The
weather was very tempestuous during the voyage and a number of the
passengers became sick and died, among the unfortunates being young
Fritsche; Stoffel Keller was obliged to carry his body without
assistance from the hold to the deck, and the experience made such
an impression on him that he recalled it with horror to the end of
his days.

From Philadelphia Stoffel Keller walked to
Rockland township, Berks county, where he found a congenial home
with the Reichert family, who were also from Nitsche, Mrs. Reichert
having at one time worked for his father. With them he followed his
trade of weaver. In 1765, at the age of eighteen, he m. Catharine,
daughter of John Nicholas Delp, a large land holder of Rockland,
and the ancestor of the Delp family of Berks county. John Nicholas
Delp was single when he came to America, in 1749, from Germany, and
located in Rockland township; he m. a daughter of a man named
Adams, who settled in Maxatawny about 1739.

Soon after his marriage Stoffel Keller secured a
tract of land from his father-in-law, which he began to clear, and
it is said his wife assisted him in the work. This home remained in
the connection for over one hundred years, and the old log house,
built before 1770, is still standing and in good condition. Stoffel
Keller died there, in November, 1834, at the age of eighty-seven,
at which time he was living with his son-in-law, Squire Joseph
Specht. Stoffel Kellers property in Rockland comprised about forty
acres. He was a man of great force of character and considerable
intelligence, was a school teacher, and preserved his mental vigor
to the last. He served in the war of the Revolution. His wife,
Catharine, died over ten years before him. Their twelve children
were as follows: (1) Maria, born about 1767, died in 1850, and is
buried at Mertz Church, in Rockland. She m. Michael Welder, and
they had nine children: Polly, wife of Abraham Boyer, of Maxatawny
township; Catharine, wife of George Welder, who removed to Ohio;
Elisabeth, Mrs. Seuse; Sarah, wife of Isaac Reodinger, Susan, who
m. Daniel Gerrett, of Schuylkill county; Dinah, wife of Sol. Heist,
of Rockland township; John, who m. Lydia Muthart, and lived in
Jefferson and Armstrong counties; Benjamin, who m. (first)
Elisabeth Gave and (second) Mary Boyer; and Lena, wife of Daniel
Oswald, of Rockland township. (2) Jacob m. Betsy, daughter of John
Specht. They lived and died near Pricetown. They had children:
John, who m. Elisabeth Wahl; Catharine, wife of Henry Noll;
Rebecca, Mrs. Buskirk; Lydia, Mrs. Wahl; and Daniel. (3) Catharine,
who lived and died at Bechtelsville, was twice married, first to
Daniel Specht and second to Peter Muthart. She had five children:
Daniel (married), Sarah (wife of David Muthart), Catharine (wife of
John Muthart), Annie (Mrs. Fry) and David (married). (4) Conrad m.
Polly Neiman. (5) Elisabeth m. Henry Moyer and they lived and died
near Hill Church. Their children were: Joseph (married), Henry
(married Sally Moyer), Sarah (Mrs. Moyer), Fredrica (m. George
Seuse), Isaac, Jacob and Elisabeth. (6) Susan m. Joseph Specht,
Esq., and they lived an died on the Keller homestead in Rockland
township. She died in 1832, and Squire Specht later m. a Muthart,
by whom he had two sons. He died in 1854. By his marriage to Susan
Keller he had children as follows: Maria m. Charles Shaffer;
Rebecca m. Daniel DeLong; Catherine m. Abraham Levan; Susan m.
Charles DeLong; Elisabeth m. William Stapleton (they were the
parents of Rev. A. Stapleton, D. D., of York, Pa., who a number of
years ago compiled a genealogical sketch of the American ancestor
which was published in Egles “Notes and Queries,” and to whom we
are indebted for the information contained in this article); Sarah
m. (first) John DeLong and (second) Benjamin Keller; Joseph m. Anna
LaVan. (7) George m. Kate Keller and they lived and died near
Pricetown. Their children were Abraham, Magdelena and Joseph. (8)
Magdalena m. Henry Sterner and had six children: Joel, who m. a
Felthofer; Polly, Mrs. Sipe; William, who also married; Peter, who
remained unmarried; Lydia, Mrs. Hess; and George, who married. (9)
Abraham m. Magdalena, daughter of John Specht and sister of Squire
Joseph Specht, and they had two children, both of whom married, and
both of whom moved to Wauseon, Ohio, where their descendants
reside. Benjamin was married four times, his last wife being Mrs.
Sarah DeLong, daughter of Squire Joseph Specht. (10) Samuel died
unmarried at the age of twenty-six years. (11) John m. Betsy Egolf.
They had no children. (12) Mary (Peggy), born in 1799, m. Jacob
Sterner and moved to Bloomsburg, Pa., where she died in 1879. They
had eight children: Mary died in infancy; Catharine m. John Heist;
Ephraim m. Mary Long; Henrietta m. John Rinker; Hannah m. (first)
James Davis and (second) J. Miller; Jacob m. Sarah Diener; Rebecca
m. Reuben Hess, John m. (first) Anne M. Eckert and (second) Martha
Jacoby.

A curious story told by Stoffel Keller to his
grandchildren is a fair sample of the legends and traditions
prevalent among the early Pennsylvania Germans: When he was a
little boy at home in Nitsche, on the Rhine, a mysterious stranger
came to their “dorf” (town). The people were afraid of him and no
one would give him lodging, but Jacob Keller (Stoffels father)
finally took him in. The stranger said that for his kindness he
would perform an act that would give him immunity from fire, that
though the entire town should be consumed his house would be
spared. He then called for an auger, with which he bored a hole in
the house, at the same time performing some kind of incantation. To
prove the efficiency of the charm he asked for two bundles of
straw. Having enchanted one, he set it on fire, whereupon the straw
was consumed, but the band remained; enchanting the other, he set
fire to the band, which was consumed, the straw remaining.

Conrad Keller, son of Stoffel Keller, m. Polly
Neiman, whose first husband was killed by the Indians in 1781. To
this union was born children as follows: John m. Esther Clouser,
and is mentioned below; George m. Lucy Bast; David m., and lived in
New York City; Charles m. Harriet Moyer, was a prominent citizen of
Berks county and later of Montgomery county, where he died March 7,
1897, aged eighty years.

John Keller, son of Conrad and Polly, m. Esther
Clouser, daughter of William and Katherine (Moser) Clouser. John
Keller died in 1854. His wife, Esther (Clouser) Keller, was born in
1810, and died Oct. 14, 1908, and was buried at New Jerusalem
Church. She was a descendant of John Wilhelm Miller, of Oley, who
came from Ettlingen, Baden, Germany, in 1751, and located near
Griesemersville, in Oley, Berks Co., Pa. His children were as
follows: Catharine, born in 1751, m. Joseph Dilaplaine; Hannah,
born in 1756, m. George Clouser, and died in 1829 (she was the
grandmother of Mrs. Esther Keller); Rosina, born in 1758, m. John
Stapleton, of Oley, and died in 1833; Mary m. William Richards, and
died in 1838 (she was the grandmother of Lewis Richards, lawyer, of
Reading, who survives); Rebecca died in Huntingdon, Pa.; George,
born in 1768, died in 1833 (he has descendants living in Oley
township and Pottstown); Eve, born in 1764, died young; and another
daughter, name not known, died young.

To John and Esther (Clouser) Keller were born
thirteen children of whom nine left descendants, namely: William,
deceased, the eldest son and for many years the organist at Spies
Church, had seven children; Jacob, the youngest son, and for many
years a resident of Springfield, Ohio, has three children; Daniel,
of Chatham, Ill., has five children; Samuel C., who lives on the
old homestead in Rockland, has five children; Jeremiah C., of
Rockland, has ten children, mentioned below; Sarah, deceased, m.
William Youse, and had seven children; Caroline, widow of Alfred
Brumbach, has eight children; Amanda m. Daniel A. Yoder (both now
deceased), and they had five children; and Col. David C., of
Reading, now deceased, had one son. At Mrs. Kellers death she was
survived by five children fifty-one grandchildren, eighty-five
great-grandchildren and twenty great-great-grandchildren.

Jeremiah C. Keller, son of John and Esther
(Clouser) was born on the old Keller homestead. He attended the
school in Rockland township, known as Kellers school. He was quite
young when his father died, and he and his brothers worked for
their mother on the farm. When the Civil war had lasted so long
that drafting was necessary to recruit the army, he substituted for
William Hilbert, serving in Company K, 167th P. V. I., for nine
months. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he re-enlisted
on his own account and became second lieutenant in Company G, 198th
P. V. I. This regiment was recruited under the direction and aid of
the Union League Association of Philadelphia with Horatio G. Sickel
as Colonel. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th
Army Corps. Their first engagement was at Peebles Farm, Sept. 30,
1864. They destroyed the Weldon railroad, were engaged at Hatchers
Run, and were under continual fire until they came to Boydton Plank
Road, where they had an engagement with the enemy known as Lewis
Farm, Va. After the surrender of Lee, the Confederate General
Ewell, in speaking of this battle, told General Chamberlain that
the 198th Pa., supported by the 185th New York, and one battery of
the 5th U. S. Artillery, were fighting no less than three brigades
of the best Confederate troops (Bates Hist. Of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, Vol. V. pp. 464-5). Mr. Keller received a gunshot wound
in his right leg on March 29, 1865, at Lewis Farm. After two
months treatment in the hospitals at City Point and Georgetown, D.
C., he was discharged, May 29, 1865. While a patient at City Point,
he had the honor of shaking hands with President Lincoln. When he
returned from the war he lived with his mother until he recovered
his strength. He was very active in the ore mining business in
Longswamp township. Mr. Keller married Mary Kline, daughter of
Jonathan R. and Mary (Guinther) Kline, and they became the parents
of ten children: (1) Irvin K. m. Lizzie Keller, and had two
children, Clarence (died young) and Esther May. (2) James Ira m.
Annie Bonenkemper, of Springfield, Ohio, and had two children,
James Ira, Jr., and a daughter (died in infancy). He m. (second)
Cora Pierson. (3) Eli Jeremiah, unmarried, lives at Springfield,
Ohio. (4) Katharyne m. Dr. William Fisher, of No. 151 West
Buttonwood street, Reading and has four children. (5) David C. (6)
Mamie G. m. Peter Steckel, and has three children. (7) John G. m.
Annie Heffner. (8) Clara A. m. William Deysher, of Reading. (9)
Emma Sevilla and (10) Ella May are at home.

Mrs. Mary (Kline) Kellers grandparents were
David and Catharine (Reber) Kline. David Kline was born in
Maxatawny township, and his wife near New Jerusalem, in Rockland
township. Their seven children were: David; Reuben; Benjamin;
Jonathan R.; Leah m. (first) Anthony Heffner, and (second) Solomon
Grim, and had a son, Reuben Grim; Catharine m. Benjamin Luckenbill,
of Lenhartsville, and had two sons, James and Edwin; and Julian m.
John Bubenmoyer. Jonathan R. Kline, son of David, was born Jan. 20,
1799, and his wife, Mary Guinther, daughter of Jonathan and Mary
(Hoffman) Guinther, on Jan. 25, 1804. They had nine children: (1)
Jacob died Oct. 10, 1866, and his buried in the cemetery adjoining
the New Jerusalem Church. He had a general merchandise store and
was postmaster at New Jerusalem at the time of his death. He m.
Elizabeth Bartz, and their only child, Ellen, m. John Frazer, and
had seven children. (2) David m. Maria Pott, of Bellefonte, Centre
Co., Pa., and their children were: Mary, Katie, John, Millie and
David. (3) Charles m. Mary Fegley. No children. (4) Jonathan G. m.
Elmina Haas, and their only child Emma, m. William Adams, and has
four children. (5) Sarah m. Reuben Mertz, and had five children.
(6) William m. Mary Barto, had two children, and he died Dec. 19,
1871, and is buried at New Jerusalem cemetery. (7) Augustus m.
Katie Hull, of Centre county, and they are now living at
Williamsport, Pa. They have no children. (8) Mary m. Jeremiah C.
Keller, and had ten children. (9) James, of Kansas City, Kans., m.
(first) Rebecca Welder, and three children, and m. (second) Sarah
Welder.

David C. Keller, member of the firm of Keller
Bros., proprietors of the United States Hotel, Reading, is a native
of Berks county, born in Longswamp township, June 16, 1876, and a
son of Jeremiah C. and Mary (Kline) Keller. At the age of seventeen
his school-days terminated, which was about the customary age fixed
for the average country boy to “quit” and take to the furrow and
the flax field. Instead the young man went to Reading and engaged
with William Kuhns to learn how to make and bake bread. He remained
with Mr. Kuhns for two and a half years and received his diploma.
Since arriving at maturity Mr. Keller has been most of the time
employed in various capacities that would acquaint him with the
operating and successful management of present-day hotels. His
knowledge of the hotel business has been acquired through his
employment at the Bissinger Caf, Hotel Penn and the American
House, all of Reading, and all good. Thus equipped, he, with his
brother John G., on the 12th day of April, 1909, leased of the
Hawley Estate, the United States Hotel at Nos. 427-429 Penn Square,
and on this date the Keller Bros. began their first business
venture as conductors of their own affairs.

David C. Keller has fraternal recognition in
these several societies: Reading Order of Moose, Juniata Tribe Red
Men No. 74, Antietam Club, Family Circle and the 98 Social Circle.
As to political parties he is without attachment.

John G. Keller, son of Jeremiah C., was born in
Longswamp township, Feb. 25, 1881. Soon after his birth his parents
moved to Maxatawny township, and later to Rockland township. Mr.
Keller assisted his father on the old homestead until he was twelve
years old, and then worked on the farms of John Youse and Benjamin
Shutz. After attending the school in Rockland township, he entered
the State Normal School at Kutztown, at the age of seventeen, and
he graduated two years later. He taught one term in Marion
township, and two in Cumru township. In April, 1902, he entered
Schisslers Business College at Norristown, Pa., where he took a
course in shorthand and typewriting, completing his course in
November. After being employed as stenographer for the wholesale
house of Gassler & Starr Company, No. 509 Commerce street,
Philadelphia, dealers in carriage robes, horse dressing, etc., he
resigned to accept a more lucrative position in the office of the
Accountant of the Shipping & Freight Department, P. & R. R.
Co., Port Richmond, Philadelphia. He worked as stenographer in this
office for eighteen months and then resigned. On April 1, 1905, he
accepted a position with his brother Irvin K., in the hotel
business, but April 12, 1909, he, with his brother David C., leased
the United States Hotel, and they are now successfully conducting
it.

Mr. Keller married in 1905 Annie Heffner,
daughter of Ephraim and Catharine Heffner, of New Jerusalem, and
they have two children: Ethel Josephine, born March 11, 1906; and
Eli Jeremiah, Aug. 23, 1907.

KELLER,
IRVIN K.

p 709

Surnames: KELLER, KLEIN, MAST, BARTO, BUCK, CONRATH, HERB, BAUER,
SHOLLENBERGER, ECKERT, SCHMICK

Irvin K. Keller, of Reading, proprietor of “Keller’s Cafe” (a
designation descending from a previous owner, was born Aug. 3,
1866, in Rockland township, Berks county, son of Jeremiah C. and
Mary (Klein) Keller. The Keller family (antecedents of Irvin K.)
became established in Berks county prior to the days of the
Revolution.

The educational advantages granted our subject
were meager enough, for his people were in modest circumstances,
and Irvin, being the eldest of ten children, was early put to work
upon the farm, as such a family meant no little burden and
responsibility to his parents. In 1887 he left his Pennsylvania
home for Ohio, accepting a situation with his uncle, J. C. Keller,
then foreman of the P. P. Mast Foundry Company, situated at
Springfield, Ohio. He was employed as core maker and molder, and
after four years of diligent application discovered that the
exactions were too arduous for a “light weight.” He then turned his
face eastward, returning to Berks , county, and soon thereafter
engaged with Amos Barto, who was conducting a hotel at Lyon
Station, remaining there until the spring of 1893, when he entered
the employ of the Reading Hardware Company at Reading, terminating
his engagement in the fall of that year. His next venture was with
his uncle, Col. D. C. Keller, that proprietor of Keller’s Cafe,
situated at No. 527 Penn Square, Reading. This was in 1893, and
their association covered a period of more than nine years, being
dissolved by the Colonel’s death, May 22. 1902. After an interim of
two years (in the meantime having formed a partnership with Charles
Buck) he became his uncle’s permanent successor, and whatever
credit might have once been due the “Colonel” for the conduct of
his business is as well deserved by and as reasonably attaches to
the present owner.

On Feb. 25, 1893, Irvin K. Keller was married to
Lizzie C. Keller, daughter of William and Barbara (Conrath) Keller.
The following children were born to William Keller and his wife:
Daniel C.. a tailor of Bechtelsville, married Lizzie Herb; Mary C.
first married Harry Bauer. and her second marriage was to William
Shollenberger (she and her husband were both victims of the
Boyertown fire); Charles C., a tailor of Reading, married Annie
Eckert; Hannah C. is the widow of George E. Schmick; Lizzie C.
married Irvin K. Keller; William C., a tailor of Allentown, married
Millie Bauer. William Keller, the father of the family, was killed
by the train at Lyon Station, Berks county. Aug. 19, 1890.

To Irvin K. Keller and wife, two children were
born: Clarence, July 17, 1897 (died March 1, 1902); Esther May.
born March 18, 1907. Whatever fortune may have come to this
household due credit should be given to Mrs. Keller.

Mr. Keller owns valuable property within the
city. He has been successful, for he has been obliging, courteous,
reciprocal and fair.

KELLER,
JACOB M.

p. 1258

Surnames: KELLER, MOHLER, BINGAMAN, ESHELMAN. HERTZOG, , NOLL,
WOLFF, TEXTER, KURTZ

Jacob M. Keller, of Cumru township, who has lived retired since
1906, was born Feb. 15, 1850, in Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., son
of Henry and Annie (Mohler) Keller.

Jacob Keller, grandfather of Jacob M., was a
farmer in Lancaster county, where he spent his entire life. He
became a prosperous man, and was well known and highly esteemed in
his community. Mr. Keller had these children: Jacob, John, Samuel,
Henry, Mary and Elizabeth, all deceased, who spent their lives in
Lancaster county.

Henry Keller was born on the old home farm, and
early in life learned the milling business which he made his
occupation throughout his active period. Mr. Keller died in
Cocalico township in 1868, advanced in years. He married Annie
Mohler, daughter of John Mohler, and she died at the age of
seventy-two years, both she and her husband being buried at
Springville cemetery, Lancaster county. They were members of the
Dunkard church. Twelve children were born to Henry Keller and his
wife, six of who died young. Those who grew to maturity were: John;
Peter; Jacob M.; Sallie; Elizabeth, m. George Bingaman; and Annie,
m. John Eshelman.

Jacob M. Keller attended the schools of
Lancaster county until sixteen years of age, and then worked at the
mill and on the farm for his father until the latter’s death. He
continued milling for two years, after which he spent nine years at
day’s work, and then engaged in farming in Lebanon county on the
old John Texter farm of 400 acres, one of the largest farms in that
county. Nine years later Mr. Keller went to Sinking Spring, where
he spent five years, and finally located at the Kurtz House farm in
Cumru township, continuing at the latter place until his retirement
in 1906.

Mr. Keller was married to Miss Hettie Hertzog,
daughter of Peter Hertzog, of Cocalico township, Lancaster county,
and to this union there were born the following children: Jacob;
Miles; Henry, who died young; Nora m. James Noll; and Cecelia m.
Henry Wolff. In political matters Mr. Keller is a Democrat, and he
has been a member of election boards. He is a pillar of the
Robesonia Lutheran Church.

KELLER,
LEVI

p., 1377

Surnames: KELLER, GOLDSMITH, SUMMERMAN, ROCKFELLOW, BENJAMIN, BAHN

Levi Keller, who for a number of years was a resident and
well-known business man of Reading, Pa., was an honored veteran of
the Civil war. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1827,
son of Samuel and Sarah Keller, who emigrated to America in 1844.
Landing at New York City, they remained there but a short time,
emigrating to Easton. Pa. While in Germany, Mr. Keller was engaged
as a drover, but never engaged in business after coming to America.
He died at the age of eighty-two years, his children being: Otto,
Eli, Levi, Mrs. Jennie Goldsmith (of Brooklyn, N. Y.), Sarah (the
wife of Jacob Summerman, of Philadelphia) and Rosa (who died
young).

Levi Keller came to America with his parents
when twenty-seven years of age, and with his brother, Otto, engaged
in the butchering business at Easton where he remained until the
breaking out of the Civil war. He then enlisted in Company B, 14th
P. V. I.. Aug. 4, 1861, for a term of three years, under Capt.
Henry Rockfellow. He served his entire time, being mustered out of
service in August, 1864. Mr. Keller participated in some of the
hardest fought battles of the war, and was wounded in the upper
part of his leg, which wound no doubt hastened his death. He was a
brave soldier, and with the exception of the time spent in the
hospital. was with his regiment in every march, skirmish and
battle. On his return from the war, Mr. Keller came to Reading and
engaged in the dry goods business on Tenth street, below Franklin,
continuing there some years. He retired from active life about
fifteen years prior to his death, which occurred May 26, 1897. Mr.
Keller was a member of Post No. 16, G. A. R.. and later joined the
Union Veteran Legion. He was a member of the Reformed Church.

In 1870, Mr. Keller married Miss Amelia
Benjamin, daughter of Samuel Benjamin, a drover of Germany, who
died in his native country. Mrs. Keller came to America when
nineteen years of age, and after living in New York for a time,
came to Reading, where she met Mr. Keller. She is now living at No.
1039 Walnut street with her two oldest sons, who are unmarried. Mr.
and Mrs. Keller had these children: Samuel and Emanuel M., are
engaged in the manufacture of cigars at Fourth and Franklin
streets, Reading; Joseph W., also a cigar manufacturer of Reading,
at No. 1043 Greenwich street, m. Sallie Bahn.