Mary Jane (KNAPP) KELLER was born on September 4, 1861 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of William E. and Margaret (O'BRIEN) KNAPP. Mary Jane grew up in Jersey County and married Cosmos KELLER, Jr. of Elsah. Cosmos was sheriff of Jersey County in the late 1800's. As his wife, it was Mary Jane's responsibility to cook meals for the prisoners. Cosmos is said to have built the house that the family lived in at 601 W. Exchange St. in Jerseyville. Cosmos and Mary Jane were the parents of Frederica Keller (married Theodore CONKLIN) and Marguerite Keller (married Floyd R. MILLER). A third daughter, Winifred Keller died in infancy. She lived with her daughters in Jerseyville for many years after her husband died.
Mary Jane (Knapp) Keller, wife of Cosmos Keller, Jr. with daughters Marguerite (left) and Frederica (right).
Frederica Marie Keller was born in Elsah on 24-October-1888. Marguerite Georgia Keller was born on 7-October-1890 in Dow. The family moved to Jerseyville around 1890 and both girls lived in Jerseyville their entire lives. Marguerite married Floyd R. Miller and was the mother of Paul and Rita Miller. Frederica married Theodore L. Conklin and was the mother of Mary Winifred and Marjorie Belle Conklin.
Contributed by Sheri Iamele, Worthington, Ohio, sherieliza@wideopenwest.com.