George Keller
George Keller, farmer, P.O. West Jefferson, is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Vandyke) Keller, natives of Pennsylvania. The former was a son of Mitchell Keller, who was of German parentage, and also native of Pennsylvania, where he lived and died; by occupation, a farmer. Peter was raised a farmer boy in his native State, but, about the time of his majority, he drifted into Maryland, where he married. Three years after marriage, his wife died, leaving two children, viz., Mary, wife of Josiah Mellvin, of Union Township, Madison County; and Elizabeth, widow of Jonah E. Laman of Jefferson Township, Madison County. Peter's second marriage was celebrated in Maryland, with Rebecca (Vandyke) Herbert. They came to Ohio in 1834, settling in Deer Creek Township, Madison County, where he became a land-owner, and where both lived until their deaths; he died in 1845, and she in 1849. They had a family of four children, one of whom is now living, viz., George, our subject, who was born in Washington County, Md., in 1828, but, since six years of age, has been a resident of Madison County, Ohio, where he owns a good farm and devotes his time to its cultivation. He started in life with no means, but by industry and determination he has accumulated his present handsome property. He was married in 1858 to Eliza Fitzgerald, a native of Virginia, by whom he has had four children, viz., Ida C., William H., Edward J. and Mary J. Mr. Keller only possesses a common education, though he fully appreciates the value of a good education, and, in consequence, takes a decided interest in the schools of his township. Mrs. Keller is a daughter of William Fitzgerald and wife, who came from Virginia in 1830, with a family of three children, and settled in what is now Fairfield Township. He has ever since been a resident of the county, and has followed farming. On October 21, 1879, he buried his wife, who was the mother of eight children. Mr. Fitzgerald is by occupation a tanner, although he never followed it in Ohio.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]