BIO: Henry Anthony KELKER, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 309-310.
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  KELKER, HENRY ANTHONY, youngest son of Frederick and Catharine 
Kelker, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 1825.  He was 
carefully trained and instructed at home, and was afforded all the 
advantages of the best primary schools in the borough.  Later he was 
for several years in the Harrisburg Academy, then under the 
superintendence of Prof. Alfred Armstrong, and in November, 1842, 
entered the preparatory department of Marshall College at Mercersburg, 
Pa.  His careful instruction in the home schools and his diligent 
application enabled him to enter college in a short time, when he took 
the regular course of study until May, 1846.  He then returned to 
Harrisburg to arrange for a partnership with his brothers in the 
hardware business at the old stand established by his father in 1805.
  After having consummated this object, he returned to college with the 
view of completing the course and obtaining his degree, but was 
unexpectedly summoned home by the severe illness of his mother, which 
terminated fatally, August 15, 1846.  He then decided to abandon his 
college studies and to remain in Harrisburg, where he could give 
personal attention to his business.
  The firm, composed of the three brothers, Rudolph F., Immanuel M. and 
Henry A., under the name of Kelker & Bros., continued in business until 
May, 1851, when Rudolph F. retired, and Henry A. continued with his 
brother Immanuel under the firm name of Kelker & Bro., at the old stand 
No. 5, now No. 9, South Front street, until September, 1857, when they 
removed to the southeast corner of Market square.  During this 
partnership, which continued until April 1, 1878, a large and 
profitable trade was secured and the enviable reputation of the house 
fully sustained. At this date Henry A. withdrew and retired from 
business, disposing of his stock partly to his nephews, Luther R. and 
William A., and partly to his brother, Immanuel M.
  Mr. Kelker has always held the opinion that it was better for the 
citizens to invest their surplus capital in home enterprises, since 
they can in this way more certainly benefit their own private interest 
and more effectually promote the growth and prosperity of the 
community.  That he has made this principle the foundation of his own 
course, his prominent and wide connection with important commercial and 
industrial local organizations will show.  He has served for many years 
as a director of the Harrisburg National Bank, as well as of the 
Chestnut Street Market Company, of the Harrisburg Gas Company, of the 
Harrisburg Steam Heat and Power Company, is also a director of the 
Pennsylvania Telephone Company and the Harrisburg Traction Company, 
president of the Harrisburg City Passenger Railway Company since its 
reorganization in 1874, and of the Harrisburg Burial Case Company, and 
Harrisburg Furniture Manufacturing Company.  He was one of the 
proprietors and founders of the town of Baldwin, which subsequently 
took the name of Steelton, and became the seat of the magnificent plant 
of the Pennsylvania Steel Company.  He has erected some of the most 
substantial buildings in Steelton, among which are the bank and 
postoffice blocks.
  In matters of a political nature, Mr. Kelker has clear and decided 
views and finds himself more nearly in harmony with the Republican 
party, but is not in any sense an active partisan.  He has served as a 
member of the common council of the city of Harrisburg, not however as 
a politician, but in the fulfillment of duty as a conscientious and 
patriotic citizen.  Mr. Kelker is now and has been for a number of 
years a trustee of the Reformed Salem church of Harrisburg, with which 
church he united April 6, 1845, by certificate from the Reformed church 
at Mercersburg, Pa., which he had joined while at college.
  On the 11th of October, 1855, he married Ellen, daughter of Col. John 
Roberts and sister of Alexander Roberts, of both of whom biographical 
sketches appear in this volume.  The children of this union were:  
Frederick A., John Roberts, Mary Anna, Anne Roberts, Henry A., Rudolph 
F., Ellen, Edith V., and Katherine M.  Of these, Frederick A., John R. 
and Rudolph F. died in infancy; the others are residing in the 
homestead with their father.  Mrs. Kelker departed this life on the 8th 
of February, 1893.  She was a most affectionate mother, faithful wife 
and a worthy member of the Reformed Salem church, and adorned her 
profession by a godly life.