BIO:  Benjamin F. Koller, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Shrewsbury Township, Pg 177

BENJAMIN F. KOLLER, an eminent civil engineer, surveyor, conveyancer, insurance and 
law agent, and justice of the peace of Southward, Shrewsbury Borough, was born here 
August 26, 1830.  His father, Isaac Koller, a native of Shrewsbury Township, was 
born February 5, 1800, and was married May 1, 1825, at Peter Smyser’s hotel (then 
the Blue Ball Tavern, on the York and Baltimore Pike), two miles south of 
Shrewsbury, to Sarah Shank, who was born near York, July 16, 1802.  To this union 
were born the following named children:  Margaret, Mary E., Benjamin F., George W., 
Andrew J., John W. and James B. – all still living.  The ancestors of Isaac Koller 
came from Germany, and those of his wife were also German.  During his life he was 
first a blacksmith, then a merchant, next a hotel-keeper, and finally associate 
judge of the court of common pleas, York County.  He reared all his children in his 
hotel, and of the five boys not one is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors.  
He died October 21, 1854, sincerely mourned by his family and a widely extended 
circle of acquaintances.  Benjamin F. Koller has served as justice of the peace for 
thirty years, was elected State revenue commissioner in 1860; clerk of the several 
courts of York County in 1875, and is commissioner for the States of Maryland, and 
New York.  He was married, March 7, 1852, to Mary Magdalene Young, youngest daughter 
of the late Dr. Young, and has had born to him children as follows:  Isaac D., Cyrus 
C., and Beulah, living, and Fannie V. and Cora Clotilde, deceased.  Mr. Koller 
stands high in the order of F. & A. M., having attained the thirty-second degree, 
Scottish rite, than which there is but one degree higher.  He is a member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church.  His wife and son, Isaac, are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church; his son, Cyrus, is a member of the Evangelical Church.  B. F. 
Koller was one of the principal men who secured and organized Summit Grove Camp-
meeting Association in 1874, and has been identified with its management ever since.