My Genealogy Hound

JOHN KELLER, a prosperous general agriculturist and successful stock-raiser, has for the past thirty years cultivated a fine homestead of three hundred and eighty acres, located upon section 16, Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich. Born in Lorain County, Ohio, near Cleveland, June 17, 1838, our subject is the son of Jacob and Rosina B. (Beyrer) Keller. The parents were both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and received their education and early training in their birthplace. Jacob F. Keller emigrated to America when a young man and located in New York City, where he followed the trade of a butcher for five years. During this time he was married, and soon after, with his wife, removed to Lorain County, Ohio. Remaining there until 1851, he then made his home in Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich. He afterward resided in Niles, and later went to St. Joseph County, Ind. The father of our subject crossed the broad Atlantic nine times, making four trips back to the Fatherland. He was an energetic man, a prominent farmer and extensive stock-raiser, well known and highly respected in the county. He traveled extensively, and, making a second trip to California, died in the Golden State January 16, 1892, at the age of eighty-four. He was a devout member of the Evangelical Church, and liberally aided in the extension of its good work.

The mother of our subject came alone from Germany to New York, where she received employment in housework. Her parents, Jacob D. and Rosie B. (Frieben) Beyrer, were born and married, and reared a family in the Old Country, and were honest, industrious and frugal people, respected by all who knew them. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of six sons and four daughters, four of whom survive. Catherine is the widow of Andrew Frascala. Rosina is the widow of Henry Schobach. Mary is the wife of Henry Ort. John, our subject, is the third child and second son of the large family, and is the only one of the brothers now surviving. Our subject received his early training in the schools of Ohio, and was a boy of thirteen when he settled with his parents in Berrien County, Mich. After arriving in this latter State, he attended the district schools of Bertrand Township and acquired an excellent common-school education. He remained with his father, engaged in agricultural duties, until he had reached his majority. In 1861 he made the long journey across the plains to Pike’s Peak and Mexico, and traveled all the way with a team and horses. He mined for a time in the far West, but in 1862 returned with his team to his Michigan home.

In 1863 John Keller and Miss Louisa Hassig were united in marriage. The wife, a native of Indiana, did not long survive, but lived to become the mother of one son, David H. Keller, of Cass County, Mich. Our subject contracted a second marriage May 3, 1866, then wedding Miss Eliza Herring, who was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., June 2, 1842. The father of Mrs. Keller, Peter Herring, was a native of the Quaker State, and her mother, Barbara Bretcius, was born in Berks County, Pa. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Herring was blessed by the birth of ten children, of whom Mrs. Keller was the eldest. Six of the family are yet living. The mother is deceased. The father, surviving, aged seventy-two, now resides in Orange County, Cal. Ten children, five daughters and five sons, gathered about the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Keller. Emma M. is at home; Ida M. is the wife of Frank Korn; Frances S. is deceased; J. Harry is a stenographer in Chicago; Albert E. is at home; Lawrence is attending the home school; Nora E., Myron R. and Arthur G. are all with their parents; and Laura L. is deceased.

Our subject located in the place where he now resides in 1863, and, profitably conducting general agriculture and stock-raising, has accumulated a comfortable competence. The homestead has been improved with excellent barns and a commodious residence, and with its cultivated fields presents an attractive appearance. Aside from his valuable home farm, Mr. Keller owns forty acres of pasture on section 16. An industrious man of business ability, he has, unaided, won his upward way, and commands the esteem of the entire community of Bertrand Township. In political affiliation our subject is a Democrat and an active local worker of the party. He efficiently discharged the duties of Highway Commissioner, and as one of the substantial citizens of the county has ably assisted in the rapid advancement of his part of the State.