Notes for Thomas Joseph KEELER

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Notes for Thomas Joseph KEELER

Thomas Keeler registered for the WWI Draft while living at 428 11th Avenue South, Fort Dodge, Webster, IA and working for the Illinois Central Railroad. He listed his wife Nettie as living at his address and recorded his height as tall, medium build and brown eyes and light hair.

SOURCE: WWI Draft Registration Card June 5, 1918

The 1920 US Federal Census (January 5, 1920) finds Thomas and family living in Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa. The household included his wife Nettie, 1 - daughter Viola and 1 - son Bohumir who incidentally was 1/12 year old. Thomas was listed as a Car Repairer for the Railroad and living in a rented home. Living in the same house was his brother John Keeler, Jr. and his wife Ruth and daughter Dorothy. His sister Eva Duckett and her family were living on the same street about three houses away.

His father, mother, brother William, and family friend Nicholas Johns also lived on 11th Avenue SW.

SOURCE: Website, www.ancestry.com, local file name: 1920 Keeler Several Families.jpg

Contributor writes:

US Census, 1930 (April 15, 1930) finds Thomas and family living in Swan Lake Township, Emmet County, Iowa. The household included his wife Nettie, 4 - daughters Viola, Ruth, Gertrude, and Pauline, 2 - sons Bohumir and Carl, and Father-in-law Jonathon Pride Thomas was listed as a Farm Laborer and living in a rented home.

SOURCE: Website, www.ancestry.com, listed under Thomas Keller, local file name: 1930 Thomas J Keeler.jpg

Contributor writes:

Retires at Morrell Plant

Tom Keeler retired at the local Morrell plant on Oct. 1 after 24 years of service. Keeler helped with the construction of the beef plant and then began working as the plant plumber when the plant began operation Sept. 20, 1937. He continued in this same department until his retirement.

Prior to his employment at the local plant, Keeler farmed near Estherville from 1928 through 1932. He was born in Humboldt and lived in Fort Dodge before moving to Estherville in 1928. tom is a charter member of the Estherville Moose Lodge. Mr. And Mrs. Keeler have a son Bohumir Sr., a grandson Bohumir Jr., and a son-in-law, Fay Mann, employed at the local plant. They have 10 children, 32 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The Keelers plan to spend the first winter of their retirement in Stockton, Calif. where three of their sons and two of Mrs. Keeler's brothers reside. They plan to remain in Stockton until next summer when they will return to their home in Estherville.

Keeler said that he has seen many changes in Estherville and in the local plant, and the hardest thing about retiring is saying goodbye to all of the friends that he has worked with for so many years.

SOURCE: Estherville Daily News, year unknown, taken from photocopy of article

Contributor writes:

Keelers Observe 50th Anniversary

By Alice Higinbotham

Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Keeler were honored Sunday, Oct. 3 at an open house in observance of their golden wedding anniversary. The observance was held in the afternoon and evening at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Keeler, 320 N. 13th St.

Hosts and hostesses for the occasion were the couple's sons and daughters and their spouses. All 10 children were present and included four sons, B. T. Keeler Sr. of Estherville, Frank of Hornitos, Calif., Eldon, serving with the United States Navy at San Diego, Calif.; and six daughters, Mrs. Ray (Viola) Hoffmeyer, Mrs. Waren (Ruth) Schroder, Mrs. Fay (Pauline) Mann, Mrs. Charles (Ethel) Whitacre, all of Estherville, Mrs. Dale (Mary) Ross of Fort Worth Texas, and Mrs. C. H. (Gertrude) Weibel of Taho, Calif., [SIC] Carl Keeler.

Mr. And Mrs. Keeler also have 42 grandchildren and 13 great-granchildren.

The program featured a mock wedding. Participants were Nancy Hoffman, preacher; Becky Whitacre, bride; Barbie Hoffmeyer, bridesmaid; Reggie Sidles, bridegroom; and Jeff Whitacre, best man.

Chuck Pride, brother of Mrs. Keeler gave brief accounts of their courtship; Mrs. Denzil Neumann gave a reading and a selection was sung by Betty McManus, Karen Fitzgerald and Mary Beth Gemmill. Rev. Denzil Neumann offered prayer and extended words of appreciation to the honored couple.

Danny Keeler, Pam Ross, Perry Mann, Marcia Ross, Lori Keeler and John Sidles had charge of the guest register and distributed thatnk-you gifts; Carol Schroder had charte of serving punch; Sandy Keeler, Lorraine Schroder and Jacki Weibel took care of the cards and gifts; Connie Hoffmeyer, Colleen Hoffmeyer, Marie Whitacre, Nettie Mann and Joyce and Shirley Schroder were waitresses; Alice Sidles had charge of pouring coffee assisted by Sandy Hoffmeyer and Beverly Keeler. Mrs. Art Miller had charge of refreshments and was assisted by Mrs. Leila Johnson and Mrs. Stewart Ullensvang.

About 200 relatives and friends were present for the occasion and Mr. And Mrs. Keeler of Fort Dodge, who were attendants at the wedding 50 years ago, were present for the observance as were Mrs. Keeler's sister, Mrs. Viola Barrett of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and other relatives from Fort Dodge and Joliet, Ill.

SOURCE: Estherville Daily News, no year indicated, taken from photocopy of article

Couple Celebrate 60th Anniversary

ESTHERVILLE - Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Keeler, Estherville, were honored Sunday, Oct. 5 at their home at 320 North 13th Street, Estherville, during an open house in observance of their 60th wedding anniversary.

The couple were married October 3, 1915 at Fort Dodge.

Seven children of the couple hosted the event with approximately 100 guests registered.

Mrs. Dorothy Bush served coffee to the guests and Mrs. Pauline Mann attended the serving table.

Mrs. Joe Steil was soloist with Dick Egertson accompanying her on the accordion. Tom Keeler requested 'My Wild Irish Rose' to be sung and his wife chose 'Brighten the Corner'. Other selections were 'Anniversary Song', Anniversary Waltz', and 'When Hair Turns to Silver'.

Guests were from Superior, Spirit Lake, Emmetsburg, Fort Worth, Tex. And Estherville.

SOURCE: Estherville Daily News, unknown date, taken from photocopy

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