Keller, John

KELLER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 1/5/2009 at 13:59:48

John Keller

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.34, Council Bluffs)
John Keller, Council Bluffs, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Council Bluffs, was born at Elzes, in Eastern France, October 23, 1815, where he spent his youth. He came to America with an older brother in 1836. Landing in New York, he began to learn the trade of cabinet-making, and, after serving his apprenticeship, he went to Cinncinati, Ohio, and followed the same calling. From there, he went to St. Louis, and from there to Western Missouri, where he resided some time. Afterward coming to Council Bluffs, he entered the land where his dwelling is not situated in 1855, and in 1854 brought from Missouri the first fruit trees ever planted in the county. In 1841, he was married to Rebecca Runyan, a native of Center County, Penn., and of this marriage one son was born - Victor L. Keller, who served in the Union army throught the civil war in the Second Iowa Battery. Mr. keller has been noted for his kindness to orphan children, having reared and educated three since coming to Council Bluffs. Mrs. Keller died here on the 18th day of April, 1882. Mr. Keller is a member in most excellent standing of the Masonic order. He is still a man in most excellent health, possesses a wiry frame, and is gifted with strong mind and body. By care, prudence and industry, he has amassed considerable property, and owns some of the most valuable real estate in the city of Council Bluffs. He was among the first to demonstrate the practicability of fruit-raising in this climate, and has made it a most positive success.