Judge Isaac W. KELLER

KELLER, BRADLEY, DUNNING

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/22/2010 at 06:38:00

Record News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
April 11, 1911

JUDGE I. W. KELLER

Judge I. W. KELLER, of this city [Mount Ayr], reached his eightieth birthday on Tuesday, September 29, 1908. It was a noted day in the family. It was a time for congratulations. The agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Company called on him and paid him a life policy of $1000 which had by contract matured on that day. It was a pleasant incident. Mr. KELLER took out the policy in 1879 and has in the meantime paid almost as much on it as he received at maturity. It has however, proved a good investment and comes really handy in old age.

Mrs. KELLER has a similar policy that will be matured in a few years. She [Rachel (BRADLEY) KELLER] was born in Noble County, Ohio Novenber 28, 1833.

Mr. KELLER was born in Noble County, Ohio, September 29, 1828, and came to Iowa in 1852. He soon moved to Mount Ayr and was admitted to the bar in 1869.

In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army [26th IA Infantry] and served until May 1865.

He has served the county as Treasurer and County Judge, State Senator and in several other public capacities. {He was elected to the State Senate in 1879, serving four years, and re-elected in 1879, serving another four years.] He has always been an active working republican up to the last four years. He was a good campaigner and was known as a good speaker. The judge has been justice of the peace for twenty years.

Both Mr. and Mrs. KELLER have been members of the M.E. Church for many years, and they both are Republicans.

Mr. and Mrs. KELLER have been married [September 4, 1851] 57 years and bid fair to pass their sixtieth anniversary. They have resided in Mount Ayr since 1855 with the exception of three years, during which time they lived on a farm near here. They are in good health and spirits and take a social interest in all their surroundings.

There were born to this couple six children. One daughter died six years after her marriage. The average number of grandchildren in each family is five; one daughter, Mrs. Paroda DUNNING, is the mother of thirteen children, all living and healthy, these and all grandchildren are healthy and prosperous. Two of their grandsons, Clyde and Clarence DUNNING, are president and cashier, respectively, of the Citizens bank here.

They have arranged to spend some time soon with daughters in Des Moines and Stanton, Nebr., and possibly with a son in South Dakota.

This couple live in a quiet, contented, healthy and happy life in their beautiful home which is visited daily by an army of grandchildren who pass and repass on their way to and from school. Their friends wish them much enjoyment.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010