John Keller is a resident of Lodi, San Joaquin county, and as a farmer, dairyman and vineyardist has been very successful and attained a place of deserved prominence in his locality. He also deserves mention in this volume as one of the old residents of the state, his period of residence dating from 1864 to the present, something over forty years.

Born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 30, 1844, he was a son of German-born parents, John and Christena B. (Rossman) Keller, who on emigrating to America took up their abode in Crawford county, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of their useful lives. In that county and state mr. Keller was reared and gained his education in the public schools. But he is also to be considered among the self-made men of our country, for he has won his success by practical experience with the actual difficulties of life. For some years after coming out to California, which he did when he was twenty years old, he was engaged in farming pursuits in San Joaquin county in the employ of others, but in 1875 he took up agriculture on his own account, and during the subsequent thirty years has prospered in all branches of his industry. More recently he has taken up dairying, and his establishment is well conducted and managed to the satisfaction of both proprietor and customers. His vineyard of seventy-five acres is one of the choice placed of its kind in the county. He has made all these things by his own industrious efforts, and has progressed steadily from one degree of success to another.

Mr. Keller has served as a trustee of the Turner school district while he was a resident therein. In politics he is a Democrat. He is affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Woodbridge, this state, and with the Knights of Pythias at the same place. He is eminently public-spirited in reference to all matters affecting the general welfare of his locality, and has always been known as a friend of schools and education in general.

Mr. Keller was married, April 2, 1884, to Miss Doretta Brack, daughter of Jacob Brack, Sr., of San Joaquin county, whose life history appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have three children in their pleasant home at Lodi, namely: Elizabeth C., John, Jr., and Charles B.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume II

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine