Samuel J. Keller papers
Collection
Identifier: L285
Scope and Contents
This collection includes letters, a war diary, a scrapbook, newspaper clippings, advertising cards, photographs, receipts, ephemera, and business, legal and financial papers from Samuel J. Keller and the Keller family in Bluffton, Indiana, California, Minnesota, and the United States, ranging from 1848 to 1972, concerning Keller's daily life, business concerns, family, and military service in the U.S.-Mexican and Civil wars.
There is also an oversize appointment certificate for Keller to the 47th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Militia on October 10, 1861 (B053).
There is also an oversize appointment certificate for Keller to the 47th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Militia on October 10, 1861 (B053).
Dates
- 1848-1972
Creator
- Keller, Samuel J., 1825-1911 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Samuel J. Keller was born in Ohio on December 18, 1825 John and Rachel Keller and was their oldest son. He served in the U.S.-Mexican War as a private in Company K, 2nd Infantry Regiment in 1847. Keller married Malvina E. Wallet on March 14, 1852 in Wells County, Indiana and they had eight children: William Harter, Samuel, May Ellen, Catherine, Emma Adaline, Jennie, Lydia, and John. He learned the brickmaking trade and worked in several communities in Indiana and in Minnesota, from 1854 to 1858, then returning to Bluffton, Indiana. Keller served in Company H, Indiana 47th Regiment, enlisting on October 1, 1861 during the U.S. Civil War. He was promoted to captain, serving from December 13, 1861 to December 12, 1864. In 1876, the Kellers moved to San Jose, California, then to Portland, Oregon where Samuel Keller prospected for gold. They returned to Bluffton in 1880. Keller served as postmaster of Bluffton from 1884 to 1886. He died July 22, 1911 and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Bluffton.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel Keller." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "Samuel J. Keller." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed July 29, 2016. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69585335/samuel-j-keller.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel Keller." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Samuel J. Keller."U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "Samuel J. Keller." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed July 29, 2016. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69585335/samuel-j-keller.
Extent
0.73 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box, 1 small manuscript box, 1 custom box, 1 small oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from J. A. Chaney on 1972/07/24 and others.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2016/07/29 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid created 2016/07/29 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid revised 2024/12/17 by Brittany Kropf.
- Bluffton (Ind.)
- California
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Diaries
- Family life
- Mexican War, 1846-1848
- Minnesota
- Personal memoirs
- Photographs
- Postcards
- Scrapbooks
- Soldiers
- Transcriptions
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military life
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
- United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 47th (1861-1865)
- United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 2nd. Company K
- War diaries
Creator
- Keller, Samuel J., 1825-1911 (Person)
- Title
- Samuel J. Keller papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
