KELLER, Ellen J. (1828-1907)

KELLER

Posted By: Jenny Bailey (email)
Date: 8/29/2003 at 20:02:17

"K" Obituraries, Truro, Ohio Twp., Madison Co, Iowa

Keller, Ellen Jane McIntosh, was born Dec. 15, 1828, in what was then Harrison county, Virginia, now Taylor county, West Virginia, and was married to Franklin Keller of Barber county, Va., on January 16, 1851. They lived in Virginia until March 13, 1854, when they located on the present farm in Warren County, which they entered as government land and on which she lived until death. They were among the first settlers in Warren county. She was the mother of twelve children, two of whom were born in Virginia, the rest in Warren county, Iowa. Their names are Lucinda and Ai, who died in early childhood and were buried at Bonaparte, Van Buren county, John, Rebecca, Bollovia, Harriet, McClellan, Rosa J., Charles B., Lee F., Cyrena and Ida; Harriet and McClellan dying in childhood, John and Rebecca died after reaching maturity, leaving families. These four are buried in the cemetery at New Virginia. The other six are married and have families of their own. She had thirty grand- children and five great grandchildren. These six, Bollovia, Rosa J., Charles, Lee, Cyrena and Ida, helped care for her and were present at the death of their mother. She leaves behind to mourn her loss, husband, children, grandchildren, four brothers, B. S. McIntosh, of West Va., Wm. F. McIntosh, of Oregon, A. D. McIntosh, of New Mexico and A. B. McIntosh, New Virginia and one sister, Hannah Freeman of New Virginia. Sister Jane Keller was converted in her father's home in her 13th year and joined the M. E. church at Pleasant Creek, Va., in 1841. When she came to Warren county she carried her letter and helped organize Mt. Tabor society in the spring of 1855 at Wm. Forman's sr. She has been identified with all of the church and Sunday school work for 65 years. Was in poor health for twenty years, but was always willing to work for the best interests of Christ and his kingdom. She bore her afflictions with christian fortitude and left a glorious hope of a brighter home and departed this life at 2:30 a. m. Feb. 20, 1907, aged 78 years, 2 months and 5 days. Funeral services were conducted at the house by Rev. Carpenter at 10 a.m. by reading the 14th chapter of St. John; after prayer the body was taken to Mt. Tabor church and the first scripture lesson, the ?0 Psalm was read by the pastor, Rev. George. The second scripture lesson was read by Rev. Carpenter from 1 Cor. 15:44-56, after which Rev. Dr. Holmes took charge of the services and used St. John 14:2-3 as a text. The opening song was "How Firm a Foundation", second, "Will There Be Any Stars in my Crown" third,"Jesus is Mine; fourth, "Asleep in Jesus," fifth, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," sixth, "Home of the Soul" The church and casket were beautifully decorated with flowers. After the services at the church the body was laid to rest in Mr. Tabor cemetery. The pall-bearers were her six grandaughters, Pearl and Reba Stickel.