Charles Keilmann

    Charles Keilmann of St. Joseph Township is one of the oldest living members of a family which has been prominently identified with the agricultural and business affairs of Lake County since pioneer times. He has himself always followed farming, and is still residing on and operating a farm which he located upon after his marriage, over a half century ago. He has been a man of industry and good business habits, has now, at the age of seventy-five, a successful career behind him and much to show for his past efforts, and at all times and in all circumstances has enjoyed the respect and high esteem of his friends and neighbors.

    Mr. Keilmann was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, August 29, 1829, being the fourth child of Henry and Elizabeth Keilmann, who in 1845 left their native fatherland and came to Lake County, Indiana, becoming early settlers in this portion of northern Indiana. Charles was about sixteen years old when he came to this county. He was reared to farm work, and remained at home and assisted his father until several years after he was grown. He was united in marriage in 1852, and in the same year located on his present farm. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres, and has had a long and continued record f success in his operations at farming. He is well known throughout the county, and is a truly representative citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, and served as Road Commissioner for three terms. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church in St. John.

    In 1852 Mr. Keilmann was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Orr, who was born in Germany and was a young girl when she came to Lake County. She died in 1884, having been the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are living:

• George, deceased.

• Susanna, wife of Adam Bohling.

• Frank, of Chicago Heights, Illinois.

• Phillip, of Nebraska.

• Henry, of Lowell, Indiana.

• Leonard, of Hammond.

• Michael, who lives at home and married May Dahlkamp.

• Charles, of Dyer, Lake County.

• John, who died aged five years.

• Mary, wife of Jacob Spanier, of St. John.

• Peter, of Hammond.

• Jacob, of Chicago Heights.

    All these children were born and reared in St. John Township.

Encyclopedia of Genealogy and Biography of Lake County, Indiana, with a compendium of History 1834-1904 . A record of the Achievements of its people in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. By Rev. T. H. Ball of Crown Point, Editor-in-chief. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, page 249-50.