Samuel J. Keller 1840-1926

KELLER, SHERMAN, STEELE, VAN VALKENBURG, WING

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/18/2010 at 00:08:47

Samuel Keller Died Yesterday
Had Been Ill For Past Two Years Was One of Three Remaining Civil War Veterans

After an illness of over two years Samuel J. Keller passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. T. Van Valkenburg, on north Fifth street on Tuesday morning [May 11, 1926]. His death was due to extreme old age. He came to this county twenty-four years ago and has been a resident of this place ever since. He was one of the three remaining Civil War veterans living in Estherville. Samuel J. Keller was born March 11, 1840, at Camelsford, Canada. He spent his early life in that part of the country and later came to the United States settling in New York. On June 5, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Sherman at Scribey, New York. Ten children were born to this happy couple, his wife and four sons having preceded him in death. In the spring of 1902 he brought his family to Emmet county where they have since resided. They farmed on various farms around Estherville and several years ago retired on account of the ill health of Mr. Keller. Mrs. Keller passed away three years ago last March. Mr. Keller was always kind and attentive to his family and always gave them his first consideration. He worked hard to provide for them as long as he was able to do so. During his extended illness he has shown a great deal of patience and never complained of his lot in life. His children did everything possible for him to make his last days here as comfortable as possible. They fulfilled every one of his wants and desires that it was possible for them to fill. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 from the Van Valkenburg residence, 521 north Fifth street, Rev. H.L. Olmstead officiating. Interment will be made in Oak Hill cemetery. Mr. Keller is survived by four daughters, Mrs. M. L. Sherman, Chatsworth, Ill., Mrs. John Steele and Mrs. A. T. Van Valkenburg, of this city, Mrs. Chas. Wing, of Brewster, Minn., two sons, J. H. Keller, of Des Moines, and Fred Keller of this city, besides several grand children and a few great grand children. With the passing of Mr. Keller Estherville loses another of the Civil War veterans. He was in active service for two years and was a loyal and true soldier. He left a record that his descendents will be proud to recall. The sympathy of the many friends of this family is extended the bereaved relatives in their hours of sorrow and grief. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, May 12, 1926)

S. J. Keller passed away in this city Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Keller was one of the few remaining members of the G.A.R. post of this city. He enlisted in the service in New York at Pulaski and was a member of Company G 184 Inft. He was discharged from service in June, 1865. The obituary will be published in our next issue. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 12, 1926)