ADAM AND BARBARA KELLER FAMILY

Adam Keller came to this country and to Naperville in 1852 at the age of 21. He came from Bavaria, Germany. Adam Keller worked in a Naperville Brewery for a very short time. Then he went to work on a farm owned by Hiram Fowler. In 1860 he (Adam) married Barbara Weigand, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who lived on a farm south of Lombard, Illinois. After their marriage they rented and worked 3 farms. Shortly after, they bought a farm on River Road about 3 to 3 ½ miles northwest of Naperville. The farm became know as “Riverview”” Farm. When Adam came to Naperville he was $9,000 in debt. For several years he was road commissioner and later he was supervisor of the township. Adam and Barbara Keller had 9 children: 2 boys and 7 girls. Their names were: George, Anna, Mary, Eva, Emma, Laura, Alma, Bertha, and Frank.

Frank Keller (born in 1879) was the youngest son of Adam & Barbara Keller Frank attended a country school. Several years after graduating from 8th grade, he took a business course at Northwestern College (now North Central College). Upon completion of the course, Frank worked at the Naperville National Bank as an assistant cashier. On June 8, 1905, he married Eleanora Bapst. She was a daughter of Joseph & Maggie Bapst. The Bapsts owned & operated a grocery store & bakery on the northwest corner of Benten & Washington Street. Several years later Frank’s health began to fail. He was advised by his doctor to give up the inside job and work outside. So, he quit the bank work. He bought a farm, (from his mother) 3 miles east of Naperville on what is now Ogden Avenue. Frank died in 1950 & Nora in 1963. They were blessed with 6 children. namely Margaret, Frank1 Eleanora, Adam, Alice & Mary

Frank, the oldest son of Frank & Nora Keller attended S.S. Peter & Paul School in Naperville, Illinois. After graduating from there, he attended Naperville High School for 4 years. After graduating from there he worked on the farm with his father. On June 8, 1940, he married Mary Klein. She was a daughter of Nicholas & Barbara Klein. Frank & Mary had 4 children: namely Frank, Barbara, Raymond & Mary Anne. Frank, the husband of Nora passed away in April of 1950. For several years Frank rented & operated the farm. A short time later Frank purchased the farm from his mother Nora Keller. Nora passed away in December of 1963. In 1965 the farm was sold for subdivision. Then Frank & Mary purchased land in Will County on 95th Street. In the late fall Frank & Mary & family moved to their new farms, south of Naperville, Illinois. Frank was President of the “Noisy Six” card club in Naperville, Illinois.