BIO: James A. KELLER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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JAMES A. KELLER, secretary of the Centre County Mutual Insurance Co., 
is one of the most prominent business men and well-known citizens of 
Potter township, his acquaintance extending all over Centre county. He 
was born June 10, 1843, on the farm where he still resides, which is 
located a short distance east of Centre Hall, his parents being John H. 
and Rachel (Alexander) Keller. The father was born September 2, 1813, 
in Potter township, a son of Christian and Catharine (Haney) Keller. 
The

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  251

great-grandfather, Jacob Keller, who was born February 15, 1753, came 
to Potter township, Centre county, in 1806, from Bethel township, 
Dauphin Co., Penn., and purchased what is known as the Red Mill 
property.  He was a soldier in the militia during the Revolutionary 
war, and after serving two months was discharged at Lebanon, Penn., 
November 2, 1777.  His discharge papers are still in the possession of 
his descendants. Of his large family the sons were Jacob, John, 
Christian, Philip and Peter.
  The first of the Keller family to locate in the portion of Potter 
township where our subject now resides was Christian Keller, his 
grandfather, who secured a tract of land from the Potters in 1828.  By 
trade he was a miller.  He died August 12, 1831, at middle age.  An 
interesting incident in his life is related in Linn's History of Centre 
County, as follows: "In 1806, when Christian was but a boy, Conrad 
Dillman lived near Potter's Fort, and had a beautiful farm, which 
excited the admiration of all.  Mr. Dillman was an adept at extracting 
teeth, and young Christian one day, with some companions, among whom 
was Catharine Haney, his future wife, called at Dillman's to have a 
tooth pulled.  After the completion of their errand the party started 
for home.  Their path lay over the hill, and when Christian reached the 
top, he looked back over Dillman's fine farm, and made the remark to 
Catharine, at the same time pointing back to the farm,  'If you and I 
had that place it would be all I'd wish for.'  She smiled, but said 
nothing.  Twenty-five years later he related the circumstance, and 
during the meantime his wish had been realized."  In his family were 
the following children: William, who died while serving as county 
commissioner; John H., the father of our subject; Elizabeth, who became 
the wife of Amos Alexander; Catharine, wife of John Boozer; Lydia, wife 
of Peter Hoffer; Rebecca, wife of Watson Pennington; Sarah, wife of 
Isaac Pennington; Leah, wife of John Hoffer (deceased); David C., who 
died in 1854; and Christian, deceased in 1895. Of these children, but 
two are now living.
  The father of our subject was reared in much the usual manner of 
farmer boys, and his education was limited to a course in the district 
schools of that early day.  In Potter township he was united in 
marriage with Rachel, a daughter of James Alexander, who belonged to 
one of the old and highly respected families of the township, that 
originally came from Maryland.  Of the children born to this union, 
three grew to adult age, namely: Catharine, now Mrs. J. W. Conley, of 
Potter township; James A.; and Maggie E., who married Levi Murray, and 
died at Centre Hall; the others died in infancy.
  On the death of his father, John H. Keller assumed the responsibility 
of caring for the large family in connection with his brother William, 
and provided for their support for a number of years.  After his 
marriage he located on the farm where our subject now resides, and 
there made his home until 1868, when he removed to Centre Hall, and 
became connected with the Centre Hall Manufacturing Co.  Ten years 
later he returned to the farm, where the mother suffered from paralysis 
and died April 7, 1878.  The father's death occurred at the same place, 
June 7, 1895, and he was laid by her side in the cemetery of Centre 
Hall.  In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, and held various offices 
in his township.  When a boy of sixteen years he united with the 
Reformed Church, and contemplated studying for the ministry; but as his 
services were needed at home he gave up the idea, though he always took 
an active part in Church work, and no matter what the condition of the 
weather his familiar face was always seen in the house of worship on 
Sundays.  He held various offices in the Church, and represented the 
same in the Synod and elsewhere.  To all good works he was a liberal 
contributor, and had the confidence and high regard of all who knew 
him. His wife was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
  James A. Keller, whose name introduces this sketch, first attended 
the Plum Grove school, which was then taught by J. H. Shoemaker, and 
later pursued his studies in the Tuscarora Academy and Dickinson 
Seminary.  At the age of seventeen years he obtained a teacher's 
certificate, which he held for eight years, and for a short time 
engaged in teaching in Boggs township, Centre county; but after his 
return from Dickinson Seminary, he aided his father in the work of the 
farm as the war was then in progress and help was scarce.
  On January 8, 1867, in Mifflinburg, Penn., Mr. Keller was united in 
marriage with Miss Charlotte Kleckner, who was born in Union county, in 
November, 1844, a daughter of David and Esther (Wingard) Kleckner.  She 
is the youngest in a family of nine girls, all of whom were school 
teachers with the exception of herself and eldest sister.  Six children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keller: Esther R., who died in infancy; Annie 
M., an accomplished musician, who is now the wife of Frank Fisher, of 
Penn Hall, Centre county; David K., a well-educated young man, who 
resides at home and has engaged in teaching since the age of seventeen 
years; John

252  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

H., who is attending Franklin and Marshall College; and Christian D. 
and William F., both at home.
  For eight years after his marriage, Mr. Keller rented the home farm, 
and then purchased 112 acres of the same for $100 per acre.  In 1877 he 
erected his present substantial brick residence, has made many other 
valuable improvements upon the place, and now has a highly cultivated 
tract of 116 acres.  He is a man of more than ordinary business 
capacity, is shrewd and energetic, and of the strictest integrity.  In 
connection with his farming operations he is also secretary of the 
Centre County Mutual Insurance Co.. which office he has now held for 
three years, while he was president of the company eight years and 
vice-president three years.  He is also a member of Penn's Valley 
Banking Co. at Centre Hall, and in business circles stands deservedly 
high.
  Politically, Mr. Keller has always been a firm supporter of the 
Democratic party, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and 
ability have elected him to various official positions of honor and 
trust, including those of school director, overseer of the poor, tax 
collector, assessor and registration assessor.  For eighteen years he 
has been a member of the registration board, and was elected justice of 
the peace, but refused to qualify.  Both himself and wife are earnest 
and active members of the Reformed Church, and during the erection of 
their new church, which was completed in 1896, he was a member of the 
building committee; and at one time he took a very active part in 
Sabbath school work.  Socially, he affiliates with the Grange and the 
Masonic fraternity.  Understanding the advantages to be derived from a 
good education, he has provided his children with excellent 
opportunities along that line, so that they might be fitted for any 
position in life.  He is one of the most progressive and wide-awake 
business men of Potter township, but is unassuming and in no way seeks 
notoriety.  He is a worthy representative of one of the most 
illustrious and popular families of Centre county, and is universally 
held in high esteem.