USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8 > Part 53
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Robert It. Kuler
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
which office he held for two years. From 1883 to 1887 he was judge of the Borough Court. He was engaged in the practice of law the entire time. From 1879 to 1887 he was alone in practice, and in the latter year formed a partnership with Nathaniel R. Hart, the firm name being Hart & Keeler. Mr. Hart died in October, 1906, and from that year until January 1, 1913, he continued alone, then formed a partner- ship under the name of Keeler & Durey, continuing until Judge Keeler went on the bench. He was appointed judge in February, 1917, and took his seat, May 19, 1918, in the Superior Court, in which position he is still serving (1921). In the latter named year he was appointed by Governor Lake a judge of the Supreme Court of Errors, the appointment to take effect August 30, 1922. The Senate by a ballot vote confirmed Governor Lake's appointment.
On October 14, 1885, Judge Keeler mar- ried Harriet Alice Horne, daughter of William and Harriet J. (Dodge) Horne, of Morristown, New Jersey. They are the parents of a son, Ralph Keeler, born De- cember 1, 1887, a graduate of Yale in 1912, subsequently a student in the Biltmore Forest School, graduated in 1914, and in 1917 became first lieutenant of Engineer Corps, Company A, 502d Engineers, and was later promoted captain of this com- pany. The daughter, Margery Keeler, was born September 18, 1896, and gradu- ated from Wellesley College in 1918. Miss Keeler now resides at home.
Judge Keeler is one of those men whose standing in the community places him in a position where the dignity of an upright life and fine character are exemplified be- fore the rising generation. He is one of the substantial citizens of Stamford, whose keen insight and sound judgment have always been at the command of every movement for civic progress and
social uplift. He is a member of the Sub- urban Club, being one of the governors ; member of the Stamford Yacht Club ; Yale Club of New York ; Graduates' Club of New Haven, and of the University Club of Bridgeport.
KEELER, Robert Wellington, Business Man, Legislator.
In every community there are found some men who are known for their up- right lives, strong common sense and moral worth, and one of the citizens of Wilton, Connecticut, who is thus distin- guished is Robert Wellington Keeler, a descendant of the well known Keeler family.
(III) Samuel (2) Keeler, son of Sam- uel (1) and Sarah (Sention or St. John) Keeler (q. v.), was born in 1682 in Nor- walk, and in 1710 sold his land in Ridge- field to his father for thirty pounds. He married (first), in 1704, Rebecca Benedict, daughter of James Benedict, of Danbury, and after her death, which occurred in 1709, he married (second), in 1712, Sarah Betts, daughter of Thomas Betts. Sam- uel Keeler died in 1763.
(IV) Samuel (3) Keeler, son of Samuel (2) and Rebecca (Benedict) Keeler, was born in 1706, in Norwalk, and became one of the first settlers of Wilton, Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he was an active patriot. In 1895 the house he built was still standing and was occupied by F. D. Benedict. Samuel Keeler mar- ried Elizabeth -, and his will, filed at Norwalk, is dated 1782.
(V) Samuel (4) Keeler, son of Samuel (3) and Elizabeth Keeler, was born in 1741, in Wilton, and there passed his life. He married (first), Tabitha Betts; (sec- ond) Sybil Leavenworth; (third) Widow Dreamer. Samuel Keeler died in 1826, and was survived by his widow until 1842.
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(VI) Isaiah Keeler, son of Samuel (4) Keeler, was born in Wilton, in 1790, and lived all his life on the old homestead. He was a very successful farmer and raised horses and colts. He had an apple orchard of one thousand trees, an im- mense orchard in those days. He made cider in a mill of his own and sold it for seventy-five cents and when he got a dollar for it he thought he was making big money. Isaiah Keeler was a big, strong man; he was strong of voice and limb and was noted for his strength. He could pick up a barrel of cider from the ground and throw it into a wagon. Mr. Keeler was often heard to say that he did not know what it was to be tired until he became afflicted with what was called rheumatism. He married Lucy Watrous, and his death occurred in 1874.
(VII) Le Grand W. Keeler, son of Isaiah and Lucy (Watrous) Keeler, was born in October, 1815, and died in 1892. He grew up on the home farm, and was educated in the district school and at the private academy conducted by Professor Hawley Olmstead. After completing his schooling, Le Grande W. Keeler taught school for a number of years in various places. Part of the time he was instructor in the Union School at Norwalk. That winter was unique in that there were seventeen weeks of sleighing, and he was driven to Norwalk on the f first of every week and back home at the end of the week in a sleigh. During this period, he engaged in farming in the summer. Subsequently Mr. Keeler went to New York, where he was employed in a whole- sale grocery store for a time, and then, at his father's solicitation, returned to Norwalk. The health of the latter had begun to fail and he needed the son's help in running the farm. From that time on Le Grande W. Keeler remained on the home farm as long as he lived. He was
a very successful farmer and would have left quite an estate had he not lost heavily through misplaced confidence in endors- ing notes. But notwithstanding this mis- fortune and heavy expense caused by sickness, he was in comfortable circum- stances when he died. Thrifty, prudent and inherently honest, Mr. Keeler pos- sessed force and determination, and he was a true representative of that type of old New Englander that did so much to give American institutions their color and character. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was several times honored with public office and served as assessor, selectman, and in other minor offices. He took a very active in- terest in town affairs, although not a politician.
Mr. Keeler married Catherine Lock- wood, daughter of Horace Lockwood, of the neighboring town of Poundridge, New York. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity. They are: Samuel, of Ridgefield ; Edward L., deceased ; Robert Wellington, of fur- ther mention ; Catherine L., resides in Stamford; William L., of Wallingford. Mr. Keeler and his family were regular attendants of the Congregational church and much interested in all its good works. Mrs. Keeler died in 1895.
(VIII) Robert Wellington Keeler, son of Le Grande W. and Catherine (Lock- wood) Keeler, was born in North Wilton, Connecticut, September 5, 1853. After completing the district school studies Robert W. Keeler attended Professor Olm- stead's Academy, which was at that time conducted by the son of Professor Hawley Olmstead, who had instructed Robert W.'s father. The youth was brought up on the home farm, one of the best in the town and which had been in the Keeler family for generations. Robert W. Keeler remained there until 1870, and in
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the latter year became a clerk in the very store building he now owns and occupies. It was then carried on by the firm of Keeler & Gilbert, the brother of Robert W., Edward L., being the head of the firm. After two or three years the firm dissolved, and Robert W. returned to the farm, where he continued work until 1876. In the meantime another party had taken the store at Wilton, and Mr. Keeler worked for them for a summer. He then went to Hinsdale, Illinois, where he re- mained only a few months as pioneer con- ditions in the West did not appeal to him. He went back to the homestead and re- mained there until 1882. Soon after this time he received an advantageous offer from James Comstock, who then owned a store in North Wilton, and Mr. Keeler went to work for him. When his em- ployer died, about two years later, Mr. Keeler purchased the business from the heirs and continued there with gratifying success for seventeen years, until 1900. He succeeded Mr. Comstock as postmas- ter and had the office all those years. During that time he also kept the town poor on a contract for a period of about twenty years. In 1899 Mr. Keeler sold his business. He then remained on the farm for a year or two, giving his entire attention to its cultivation. In 1903 he opened his present store, and in 1909 pur- chased the property. A line of general merchandise is handled, including agri- cultural implements and building ma- terials. The business of the general mer- chant has changed greatly since Mr. Keeler went into business for himself more than a third of a century ago. Then a large part of the business was trans- acted on a basis of barter for farm pro- duce, and was the principle means by which a merchant made a profit. Now there is very little of that kind of trading,
and the country merchant is not a shipper of produce as in days of yore.
In politics Mr. Keeler is a Republican, and from 1880 to 1900, with the excep- tion of three or four years, served as tax collector. He made a record, never equalled but for one year by any other incumbent of that office, in settling the tax accounts in full every year and never carrying delinquent taxes from one year to the next. In 1900 he was sent to the Legislature to represent the town, and discharged his duties in a manner which brought satisfaction to his constituents. He served on the insurance committee and on the committee having in charge the seating of the members of the House. Of the latter committee, Mr. Keeler was chairman and learned how popular a man is when he has it in his power to bestow favors, for of course every member wanted the best seat on the floor, yet only one man could have it.
Fraternally Mr. Keeler is a member of Ark Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar, of Norwalk; Lafayette Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret ; Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. Mr. Keeler is a director of the Central Trust Company of Nor- walk, that being the first, with one excep- tion, that Wilton has been represented in a bank in Norwalk since the first Sher- man Moonhouse, Sr., was made director of the old Central Bank some forty years ago.
Mr. Keeler married Ruth Zelda Ray- mond, daughter of William M. Raymond.
Mr. and Mrs. Keeler were the parents of the following children: I. Florence Catherine, married George C. Brown, of Norwalk, now manager of the Park Ave- nue Hotel of New York City ; they have
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
one daughter, Zelda, and an adopted daughter. 2. Alice R., married Raymond Comstock, of Wilton, and is the mother of two children, Sarah and Marjorie. 3. Bessie L., married Townsend B. Wick- wire, of Norwalk, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work. 4. Samuel J., a sketch of whom follows. 5. Ray- mond, who tried to enlist in the army, navy and aviation, but was refused by all three. He was finally drafted, and though physically not rugged enough for service, was sent to Camp Devens. When it was learned there that he had had store ex- perience, he was transferred to the Quar- termaster's Department and had not been there long when it was discovered that he was an expert automobile driver and he was assigned to drive the car of Major Briggs. He was kept at this work until finally discharged for physical disability after eighteen months of service, worn out from overwork without ever getting out of this country.
Robert W. Keeler is a member of the Congregational church of Wilton, in which he has held several offices, and Mrs. Keeler is a Christian Scientist.
(The Raymond Line).
This surname, derived from an ancient Christian name, Raimundus, was intro- duced into England at the time of the Conquest, or soon after. It signifies "light of the world," being derived from rai, a beam of light, and monde, from mundus, the world. The family played an illustri- ous part in the history of the Old World, and its record in the New is entirely worthy of its past.
(I) Richard Raymond came from Es- sex, England, and settled in Massachu- setts. His occupation is given as that of a mariner. In 1634 he was made a free- man in Salem, where he and his wife were members of the First Church. He moved to Norwalk and then to Saybrook, where
he died in 1692, aged ninety years. He married Judith
(II) John Raymond, son of Richard and Judith Raymond, was born in Nor- walk. He married, in 1664, Mary Betts, daughter of Thomas Betts, of that place. (III) John (2) Raymond, son of John (1) and Mary (Betts) Raymond, was born at Norwalk, where he was a prom- inent man and served as captain of the train band; he also served as surveyor, and was a large owner of real estate. John Raymond married, in 1690, Elizabeth St. John, daughter of Samuel St. John. He died in 1737.
(IV) Jabez Raymond, son of John (2) and Elizabeth (St. John) Raymond, was born in 1705. He married Rebecca
(V) Josiah Raymond, son of Jabez and Rebecca Raymond, was born about 1740. He married, in 1765, in Norwalk, Molly Merwine, who died in 1809. Josiah Ray- mon passed away in 1827.
(VI) Thomas Raymond, son of Josiah and Molly (Merwine) Raymond, was born in 1797. He married Eunice Meeker, of Greenfield.
(VII) William Meeker Raymond, son of Thomas and Eunice (Meeker) Ray- mond, married Sarah E. Thorp.
(VIII) Ruth Zelda Raymond, daugh- ter of William Meeker and Sarah E. (Thorp) Raymond, became the wife of Robert W. Keeler, as above stated.
KEELER, Samuel J.,
Business Man.
As one of the most aggressive repre- sentatives of that constantly recruited body, the younger business men of Nor- walk, Mr. Keeler has already become a figure of prominence in his own special sphere of action. He is officially con- nected with a number of financial organ- izations and scrupulously fulfills all the
382
auson F. Heeler.
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
requirements of public-spirited citizen- KEELER, Anson Foster, ship.
(IX) Samuel J. Keeler, son of Robert Wellington and Ruth Zelda (Raymond) Keeler (q. v.), was born in Wilton, Con- necticut, November 2, 1888. He received his education in the public schools of his native town. He was employed for about ten years by his father, and then opened a real estate and insurance office in Wil- ton. On January 1, 1915, Mr. Keeler purchased the Norwalk Agency, Incor- porated, of Norwalk. Later he bought the Harry Smith Agency, of the same place, and still later the Philip D. Mason Agency. These combined concerns fur- nished a large and strong foundation on which to build a business which has been steadily expanding ever since its incep- tion. The insurance branch has been of especially rapid growth and includes every description of the business-life, fire, accident, compensation, automobile and others. Ever since the inception of the Central Trust Company of Norwalk, January 1, 1920, Mr. Keeler occupied a seat on its board of directors, and in 1919 was vice-president of the company. He is one of the corporators of the Fairfield County Savings Bank, and vice-president of the Denver Coal Mines Company, whose properties are situated in Kentucky and Oklahoma. He affiliates with St. John's Lodge, No. 6. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He and his family are members of the Christian Science Church. Throughout the recent World War, Mr. Keeler was a leader in the pa- triotic activities of his community, serv- ing as secretary of the Liberty Loan com- mittees of Norwalk.
Mr. Keeler married, December 15, 1910, Esther Gregory, daughter of Julian C. and Anna M. (Condell) Gregory, of Wilton, Connecticut, and they are the parents of one child, Samuel, born June 26, 1916.
Laundryman.
Since 1905 a resident of Norwalk, Mr. Keeler is now the proprietor of the largest laundry establishment in Southwestern Connecticut. In addition to this he has a long and honorable record of service during the recent World War.
(IV) Timothy (2) Keeler, son of Tim- othy (1) and Sarah (Couch) Keeler (q. v.), was born in 1721, and settled in Ridgefield. He married (first), in 1744, Mary Hoyt, who died in 1777. He mar- ried (second), in 1780, Widow Hannah Dunning, and in 1799 he passed away.
(V) Jeremiah Keeler, son of Timothy (2) and Mary (Hoyt) Keeler, was born in 1760, in Ridgefield, and as a youth wit- nessed Tryon's attack on his native vil- lage. So moved was he by the heartrend- ing spectacle that he immediately enlisted in the Continental service and served to the close of the war. As orderly-sergeant under General Lafayette he was present at the siege of Yorktown, and was one of the first to scale the breastworks under a murderous fire. In recognition of his bravery he was presented by General La- fayette with a sword which is still in the possession of his descendants. Orderly- Sergeant Keeler married Huldah Hull, and settled in South Salem, New York. He died in 1853.
(VI) John Ely Keeler, son of Jeremiah and Huldah (Hull) Keeler, was born May 16, 1810. For many years he was estab- lished in business in Brooklyn under the firm name of J. E. Keeler & Son, Auto- matic Steam Carpet Cleaning. He mar- ried (first), May 14, 1839, in Troy, New York, Almira Chapman, who died in 1848. He married (second), Mary Elizabeth Foster, whose ancestral record is ap- pended to this biography, and who died in 1891, in Brooklyn. Mr. Keeler passed away at the same place in 1892. He was
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
a prominent member of the Throop Ave- nue Presbyterian Church.
(VII) John Foster Keeler, son of John Ely and Mary Elizabeth (Foster) Keeler, was born December 18, 1854, in Flushing, Long Island, New York. He received his preparatory education at a boarding school in New Canaan, Connecticut, later graduating from the University of the City of New York with the degree of Civil Engineer. He never, however, en- tered upon the practice of his profession, preferring to associate himself with his father in the latter's carpet cleaning busi- ness. Mr. Keeler, senior, operated a car- pet cleaning plant and storage warehouse in Brooklyn, and his son made it the busi- ness of his life. In politics he was an active Republican, representing the Twenty-first Ward of Brooklyn in the New York Legislature. He affiliated with Euclid Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Brooklyn, and had also taken the Royal Arch degrees. Mr. Keeler married Mary Gazella Foster, whose ancestral record is appended to this biography, and they became the parents of the following children: I. Harold, died at the age of nine years. 2. Helen De Forest, born June 26, 1884 ; married Walter McLaren, M. D., of Brooklyn, and has one child, Anson Austin. 3. Anson Foster, men- tioned below. The family were members of the Congregational church. Mr. Keeler died July 3, 1902.
(VIII) Anson Foster Keeler, son of John Foster and Mary Gazella (Foster) Keeler, was born September 22, 1887, in Brooklyn, New York. He received his education in public schools of his native city. At the age of fifteen he came to Norwalk, where for some years he was variously employed. In 1910 Mr. Keeler entered the service of Armour & Com- pany, and for six years remained with them as a salesman. In February, 1916,
he formed a partnership with Alvin R. Heerdt under the firm name of the Nor- walk Steam Laundry. Later they bought out Lowe's Laundry, consolidating the business with their own, and in December, 1919, they purchased the Old Well Laun- dry. They are now the proprietors of the largest steam laundry in Southwestern Connecticut, perfectly sanitary in every department, and having the most com- plete and modern equipment. Their pa- tronage is not confined to Norwalk, but extends to neighboring towns. Their present flourishing condition is largely due to the tireless energy and sound busi- ness judgment of Mr. Keeler, who from the day of his first connection with the concern has, with the exception of his period of military service, labored stren- uously for the upbuilding and main- tenance of the business.
When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Keeler was among the first to respond to the call to arms, en- listing July 10, 1917, in the Sixth Com- pany, Coast Artillery Corps, Connecticut National Guard. On July 15th they went to Fort Terry, New York, remaining until January 4, 1918, when they proceeded to the Third Officers' Training School, Camp Upton. On April 19, 1918, they left there for Camp Gordon, Mr. Keeler then hold- ing the rank of sergeant. At Camp Gor- don, on June 6, 1918, he received his com- mission as second lieutenant, and on July 18th left for overseas duty. Lieutenant Keeler went over with a replacement company, landing in Liverpool, August 3rd, and soon after going to France. From Cherbourg they proceeded to St. Aig- man, where the company was taken from the officers, and Lieutenant Keeler was assigned to Company A, 16Ist Infantry, Sunset Division (4Ist). He was with them until September 26th, when he was ordered to report to the Sixth Army
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Corps Replacement Battalion. There he remained until November 3rd, going then to the Sixth Army Corps as assistant corps gas officer. They moved into Luxem- bourg on December 24th, and Mr. Keeler was then transferred to Headquarters Troop, 6th Army Corps. He remained there until April 28, 1919, when he started for home, landing in Boston, May 27, 1919, and receiving his discharge at Camp Dix in June, 1919.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Keeler are numerous. He is past master of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and affiliates with Washington Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch Masons; Clinton Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar, all of Norwalk; the Connecticut Consistory, Norwich, Con- necticut ; Norwalk Chapter of Rose Croix ; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jeru- salem; and King Solomon Lodge of Perfection; Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport ; the Patrol ; and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Keeler has proved himself an able business man, a good citizen and a brave soldier. Such a record is the best promise for the time to come.
(The Foster Line).
This ancient name, which is a contrac- tion of Forrester and Forester, first be- came known in history when Sir Richard Forester, then called by his Latinized name of Forestarius, went to England with his brother-in-law, William the Con- queror, and at the age of sixteen partici- pated in the battle of Hastings. Through- out the subsequent history of England this family was among the most distin- guished, being the principal chieftains in Northumberland, and of high standing in the counties of Galway and Clare, Ireland.
(I) Christopher Foster, born in 1603, in England, sailed from London, in 1635,
on the "Abigail," and in 1637 was made a freeman in Boston. The same year he became a resident of Lynn, where he owned sixty acres. In 1651 he went to Southampton, Long Island, where he was still living in 1670. The Christian name of his wife, whom he married in England, was Frances. Christopher Foster died in 1687.
(II) Joseph Foster, son of Christopher and Frances Foster, was born in 1638, and lived in Southampton. The name of his wife is unknown. The death of Jo- seph Foster occurred January 30, 1708.
(III) Joseph (2) Foster, son of Joseph (1) Foster, was born in 1665, in South- ampton, where he appears to have lived all his life. He married there, and died in 1704.
(IV) Josiah Foster, son of Joseph (2) Foster, was born about 1698, on Long Island, where he continued to live. He married
(V) Timothy Foster, son of Josiah Foster, lived in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He married there (first), in 1748, Sarah Smith, who died November 24, 1751. He married (second) Mrs. (Corn- wall) Ketchum. His death occurred prior to 1776.
(VI) Jonah Foster, son of Timothy and Sarah (Smith) Foster, was born No- vember 14, 1751. He lived in Ridgefield and Redding, Connecticut. He married, in 1778, Hannah Benedict, who was born February 28, 1762, and died December 22, 1834, surviving her husband many years, he having passed away on December 17, 1815.
(VII) John Benedict Foster, son of Jonah and Hannah (Benedict) Foster, was born January 17, 1785. He learned the cloth-dressing industry in his father's mill. Later he moved to Sullivan county, New York, where he had his own estab- lishment. Thence he migrated to South
Conn-8-25
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
East, Putnam county, New York, where during the remainder of his life he was the proprietor of a woolen factory. He mar- ried (first), in 1806, Phoebe Burchard, who was born March 13, 1782, and died April 27, 1814. He married (second), Phoebe Hobbs, who was born October 19, 1792, and died May 31, 1871, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The death of Mr. Foster oc- curred October 10, 1833.
(VIII) Anson Foster, son of John Ben- edict and Phoebe (Burchard) Foster, was born November 19, 1806, in South East, New York, and lived in New York City and in Stonington, Connecticut. He mar- ried Mary Atwater. He died October 22, 1880.
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