George
S. Keller was born in Aragon,
Switzerland on November 9, 1827. He came to the Shelby Settlement
(Bethlehem) in May of 1854 via the port of New Orleans on the
ship Henry Pratt. It is thought that he had friends or family
in Ohio, because he traveled directly to the area from the port
of entry.
George
declared his intent to become an America citizen on June 3, 1858.
The 1860 census listed his occupation as a shoemaker, but by
the 1870 census, he was listed as a farmer. Family members have
passed down an interesting note - George had a blue eye and a
brown eye.
George
S. Keller homesteaded 80 acres
and built a home from lumber cut from the land in the late 1800s
which is still standing on 3437 Hinesville Rd. in Sharon Township.
He married Catharine Kurtzman in 1856 at the Sacred
Heart of Jesus Church.
Catharine
Kurtzman was born on the 5th
of January, 1819 and came to America from France, when she was
just four years old.
She
was the secretary at Sacred Heart Church when George met her.
A stained glass window in the church is dedicated to Catharine
Kurtzman, although it is not
known whether the window was purchased as a donation or given
in appreciation for her work at the church.
George
Keller
died February
25, 1901 at the age of 73 and Catharine Kurtzman / Keller died May 22, 1904
at the age of 85. Both are buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery,
Bethlehem. George’s headstone reads George F. Keller.
George
and Catherine raised three children – Mary, Martin and Peter
Paul.
Mary
Keller
Fredolin
& Mary Keller Buchholz
Fredolin Buchholz
(1851 to 1910
Mary
Keller (1856 to 1878).
photo contributed
by John & Doris Yetzer
Mary
Keller and Martin Keller married spouses who
were first cousins . Mary married Fredolin Buchholz and Martin married Catharine Buchholz
Landers,
a widow with two girls. Mary and Fridolin Buchholz had one son, Joseph. Mary died from
complications from diabetes when she was 22.
Martin
Keller
Martin
Keller
Martin Keller (1859
to 1943
married Catherine Buchholz
(no
picture of Catherine currently available)
photo
contributed by John & Doris Yetzer
Martin Keller
married Catharine Buchholz
Landers (1868 to 1939)
in 1901. A widow, Catharine had two daughters, Elizabeth and
Sophia from her marriage to John Landers. Mary, Catharine Regina, Emma, George
and Paul Peter, were all born to Martin and Catharine Buchholz Keller.
The
family lived with George S. Keller until Martin built a home about 1912
at what is now 3846 Brannon Road from lumber cut from the property.
At one point, there were three Catharine Kellers living in the Hinesville home: mother
Catharine Kurtzman
Keller,
daughter-in-law Catharine Buchholz Keller and granddaughter Catharine Regina
Keller. Both Keller homesteads are still
in excellent condition and well-cared for.
Martin
and Catharine Keller also farmed an 80-acre
homestead and evidently were successful in the venture. An inventory
and appraisement listing at Catharine’s death listed 125
chickens, 29 hogs, and 10 cows along with crops of corn, hay,
wheat, oats, soybeans.
Peter
Keller
Peter
Keller
Peter Keller (1860
to 1937
photo
contributed by John & Doris Yetzer
Peter Keller went blind from complications of diabetes
at the age of 26. He was engaged at the time, but never married.
He lived the rest of his life with his brother, Martin. He still
lived a very productive life, despite the lack of vision. Niece
Catharine Regina Keller
Yetzer told stories about
Uncle Pete milking cows and building a shed after he became blind.
He loved his nieces and nephews and built them a playhouse complete
with a window and door. At Christmas time, they got gifts to
go in the playhouse. Catharine and her sisters, Mary and Emma,
spent many hours playing there, she said.
The
George S. Keller information has been supplied by John and Doris
Yetzer and Christina Drain.
Thank
you for your efforts in getting all these items together!
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