My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL S. KELLER, a retired jeweler, now living in Allentown, was for some years prominently connected with the commercial interests of this place, doing a wholesale and retail business in the jewelry trade. His well directed efforts brought him success, and he steadily worked his way upward, acquiring a handsome competency, so that he is now enabled to live a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.

Mr. Keller was born in Northampton County, Pa., on the 1st of June, 1825, and is a son of Joseph and Lydia (Butz) Keller. The father was born in Kellersville, Northampton County, in 1800, and was a farmer and general business man. His native town was named in honor of the grandfather of our subject, George Keller, who was born on the site of that place. He built the first house of that village in 1815, and it is standing at the present day. The maternal grandfather, George Butz, was a prominent early settler of Butztown, Northampton County.

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of fifteen children, ten of whom reached adult age. He spent his boyhood days in what is now Monroe County, but was originally a part of Northampton County, the two having been divided in 1837. He attended the common schools in his early youth, and when he had attained a sufficient age began clerking in his father’s store, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then started out in life for himself, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, and for a short time engaged in farming, but not liking that occupation he learned the tanner’s trade under the instruction of John Sumner, of Kellersville. When he had mastered the business he took charge of his employer’s tanyard, and served as foreman for a number of years, or until 1857, when the great financial panic came on. By that time he had become part owner of the tannery, and in the general crisis lost quite heavily, but managed to continue operations until 1862.

In that year Mr. Keller responded to the country’s call for troops, entering the service as a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was put with the drafted men and did garrison duty, being stationed for a time at Ft. Monroe, after which he was sent to Norfolk, Va., where the regiment went into winter quarters. In the spring the troops were ordered to North Carolina, and afterward to South Carolina, where they spent eight months, and then went to Savannah, Ga. Our subject received his discharge in 1863, and then returned to Kellersville, where he again engaged in tanning and in general farming. In connection with his other interests he also carried on a general store, doing a successful business along that line until 1865, when he sold out. After a short visit in Tiffin, Ohio, he came to Allentown and formed a partnership in the jewelry business with his brother, Edward Keller, under the firm name of Keller Bros. They built up a large and extensive trade, which constantly increased from the beginning, and the partnership continued for twenty-two years, during which time they conducted a wholesale and retail trade. The store which they occupied was 20x225 feet in dimensions and two stories in. height. It is now the property of our subject, who also owns several good buildings, which he rents.

In 1847 Mr. Keller was married to Miss Mary Dech, a daughter of Jacob Dech, of Northampton County. To them was born a daughter, Clara, now the wife of Marcus M. C. Kline, a prominent attorney of Allentown. Their beautiful home, tastefully furnished, is situated at No. 112 North Fifth Street. Both Mr. and Mrs. Keller are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected for half a century, and of which he has served as Deacon and Elder for many years. He is now President of the Official Board of the church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been called upon to serve in various official positions. For six years he was a member of the School Board, and for two terms was a member of the Common Council. His life has been well and worthily passed, and all who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and many excellences of character.