BIO: Daniel KELLER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 128.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  DANIEL KELLER, Water Street, Huntingdon county, Pa., son of Jacob and 
Sarah (Myers) Keller, was born on the farm on which he now lives, 
December 23, 1830.  The place was originally settled in 1800 by the 
grandfather, Michael Keller, a native of Berks county, Pa.  There were 
five brothers in the Keller family; and in the course of time each left 
the parent roof to make a home for himself; one went to Virginia, two 
settled near York, and the remaining two came to Huntingdon county, one 
of whom was Michael.  Beginning with only sixty-two acres, he, with 
peculiar thrift and energy, succeeded in adding to this tract very 
materially before many years had gone by.  He died on his farm prior to 
1830, his wife surviving him some years.  Jacob, son of Michael Keller, 
was born in 1800 on his father's farm where he grew to manhood.  He was 
educated in the common schools, and early learned carpentry.  He worked 
at his trade for the greater part of his life; his skillful workmanship 
is manifested by the many substantial and well-built houses in the 
surrounding country.  After his retirement from business, he built for 
himself a very comfortable house on the home farm, and here, in 
February, 1876, he died.  On August 18, 1821, he married Sarah Myers, 
born in Huntingdon county, Pa., in 1799.  She died in February, 1883.  
They had five children:  Mary A. (Mrs. Tobias Foreman), deceased; 
Abraham, Morris township; Elizabeth (Mrs. Levi Stahl), of Tyrone, Pa.; 
Daniel; and Catharine (Mrs. John D. Aurandt), deceased.
  Daniel Keller was educated in the subscription school in summer and 
in the public schools in winter.  Although at times affected by rather 
indifferent health, his progress on the whole was good, and so great 
was his desire for knowledge that he attended one term after his 
eighteenth year.  He was very fond of out-door sports and a good part 
of his leisure time was given to exciting but healthful recreation.  At 
the age of thirteen he went to learn the blacksmith trade at the iron 
works of Alfred A. Spang, in Morris, now Catharine township, Blair 
county.  After serving two years as apprentice he became journeyman at 
the iron works of the Martha Furnace, in Clarion county, with which 
company he remained for one year.  He then went to Clearfield county, 
where he carried on a blacksmith shop for two years, then disposed of 
it and went home for a short time.  He next started for the West, 
working at his trade during the winter and traveling for pleasure 
during the summer.  He was gone about a year and touched different 
points in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, 
and Virginia.  Returning home he remained for some months, engaged in 
various occupations.  He then opened a shop at Yellow Springs, Blair 
county, and continued it for five years with much success.  In 1861 he 
settled on the homestead farm, one-third of which had been willed to 
him by his uncles; the remaining two-thirds he acquired by purchase.  
Mr. Keller is unmarried.  He is a Republican, staunch and true, 
formerly an active worker for the party.  He has been school director 
and supervisor for many years.  He has ever been a credit to his family 
and a useful member of the community.