Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 26

The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in history; but the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them, should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers, as they furnish means of subsistence for the multitude whom they in their useful careers have employed.

Such are the thoughts that involuntarily come to our minds when we consider the life of him whose name initiates this review — a man who is accounted as one of the most important factors in business life in Yonkers, and whose reputation in business circles is unassailable. He was born in the city which is still his home, May 26, 1840, his parents being Albert and Harriet (Myers) Keeler. During the colonial epoch in the history of the country representatives of the family resided for several generations in Fairfield, 'Ridgeway county, Connecticut. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a farmer of that county, and when the Revolutionary war was inaugurated he aided in the struggle which brought independence to the nation. He reared his family in his Connecticut home, and there Albert Keeler was born and reared. Having arrived at years of maturity he became a lumber merchant, and removing to Yonkers continued to be engaged in the same line of business activity until his death. His political support was given the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was one of the early trustees of the village of Yonkers and afterward served as alderman for eight or ten terms. He was also a member of the state militia and took part in the general training, common at that time. His religious opinions were in harmony with the doctrines of the Episcopal church and he attended its services. He died at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife still survives. Their children were Charles E., Albert and Josephine, all now deceased; and John H. The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Charlotte (Nodine) Myers. The former was a carpenter by trade and was one of the pioneers of Yonkers, his home being in Getty Square — the present location of the Citizens' National Bank, of which Mr. Keeler is cashier. The grandmother also was a representative of one of the oldest families of Yonkers, in whose honor Nodine Hill was named.

John H. Keeler pursued his early education in public school No. 2, of Yonkers, afterward attended Professor Francis' Academy, and later Professor Hasbrouck's Academy, of Yonkers. At the age of seventeen he put aside his textbooks to learn the more difficult lessons in the school of experience. He entered upon his business career as bookkeeper in the employ of Henry W. Bashford, dealer in coal and wood, with whom he remained for three years, after which he spent eight years as bookkeeper with Robert P. Getty & Son, government inspectors in the beef department at New York city. While there he connected himself with the Seventeenth Regiment of New York Militia, with which he was associated for about seven years, and during the war of the Rebellion he served for a short time under General Schenck, doing duty at Mount McHenry and Harper's Ferry. After receiving his discharge, he returned to the employ of Mr. Getty, with whom he remained until 1863. In that year he came to Yonkers as bookkeeper for the First National Bank here, remaining with that institution until February 1, 1873, when he was elected cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, in which capacity he has since served. He is also a member of the board of directors. During the first six years of his connection with the bank he devoted his entire time and attention thereto, putting forth his strongest efforts to make it a success, and its prosperity is undoubtedly due in a large measure to the capable management and untiring labors of Mr.- Keeler. The bank was incorporated December 5, 1872, and on the 1st of February, 1873, was opened for business, with the following officers: Charles H. Hamilton, president; Jonathan Vail, vice-president; and John H. Keeler, cashier. A large crowd was waiting to open .accounts with the new bank. Mr. Keeler attended to all the business, and the assets were carried by him in a tin box, which was removed each night to a place of safety. The business of the bank increased rapidly, — from one hundred and thirty-one thousand and nine hundred and forty-four dollars and fifty-one cents, in 1873, to one million three thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight dollars and forty-nine cents, in 1898. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and has a surplus of one hundred thousand. The present officers are: C. E. Waring, president; Peter J. Elting, vice-president; and John H. Keeler, cashier; and these gentlemen, together with C. R. Dusenberry, Henry R. Hicks, E. J. Elting and Andrew Deyo constitute the board of directors. The volume of the business having increased to a great extent, the quarters occupied were found to be too small, and the directors decided to build a structure which would answer all requirements of a modern banking-house. Accordingly this was done in 1897. The first or main floor of the building, used for banking purposes, is twenty-five by one hundred and five feet, the walls, floors, partitions and ceiling being so constructed as to make the entire first floor absolutely fire proof. Every convenience and . equipment necessary for conducting a successful banking business according to the most approved modern methods are there found, -and the safety-deposit vaults are models of strength and the finest specimens of the safe-builder's art. The business of the bank is conducted with the -regularity and exactness of clock work. Old methods of bookkeeping have been abandoned, and in their place has been adopted the best modern system of accounts to insure protection and correctness. A system of steel boxes is used, arranged alphabetically, in which each depositor's vouchers are kept separately; and each day's business, also kept separate, can be referred to in a moment,

The close application of the popular cashier, his trustworthiness, great energy and enterprise have been important factors in the splendid success which has attended the institution and made it one of the most reliable and prosperous financial concerns in this part of the state. At the present time Mr. Keeler is also serving as receiver for the George B. Wray Drug Company, of Yonkers, a large and heavily capitalized enterprise.

While his business interests have been extensive, and therefore the demands made on his time have been quite heavy, Mr. Keeler has nevertheless found opportunity to enjoy periods of rest and recreation, without which one's nature would become dwarfed and imperfectly developed. He has a wide reputation as an oarsman, his fame extending to boating circles throughout the country. He was long a member of a famous crew of four, being the " stroke " in the crew which gave the Vesper Rowing Association, of Yonkers, a national reputation. During the seven years in which he was identified therewith, in all the regattas, scull and barge races in which they competed, they were never defeated, although they met the best amateur crews in the country. The Vesper Rowing Association was organized August 12, 1867, and became prominent by reason of the wonderful skill of its famous crew, composed of Thomas Fearon, bow; Owen Van Winkle, No. 2; William McFarlane, No. 3; and John H. Keeler, stroke. In the races all the leading rowing clubs of the Hudson River Rowing Association entered, including all the crews from New York to Albany. The first important race in which the Vesper crew won was held at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey, where they won a silver-service set, taking part in two races the same day, the first an eight-oar barge race and the second a four-oar shell race against a field of five crews. Their second important victory, which was one of the most exciting, and upon which probably more money changed hands than upon any of the other races, was rowed off Bergen Point, against the Arganantas, August 29, 1871; their record for a mile and a half in seven minutes and ten seconds, in shell boats, has never been beaten. The result of this race undoubtedly left the Vesper crew the championship for amateur rowing in this country. For several years the club has .been disbanded, but Mr. Keeler has never ceased to feel a keen interest in rowing contests. He now belongs to the Palisade Boat Club, is a member of John C. Fremont Post, No. 590, G. A. R., and of the Sons of the Revolution. He is also connected with the Hollywood Improvement Association. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and his religious views are indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church.

Mr. Keeler was married, in 1863, to Miss Adeline M. Sharp, and to them were born three children: John H;, deputy city clerk of Yonkers; Charles E., who occupies a position in the auditor's office of the United States Company, New York; and Adeline F. The mother died, and Mr. Keeler has since wedded Helena Glaser, a daughter of Gottlieb Glaser, who was at one time in the tannery business at Yonkers, and afterward a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. His last days, however, were spent in Yonkers.

Such in brief is the history of one of the most prominent and honored citizens of Yonkers. The success of his life is due to no inherited fortune or to any happy succession of advantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, capable management, tireless industry, and sterling integrity. He is of a very social and genial nature and is ever heartily welcome in the best homes of his native city. He inspires personal friendship, of unusual strength, and all who know him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.