From Rochester and the Post Express; A history of the City of Rochester from the earliest times; the pioneers and their predecessors, frontier life in the Genesee country, biographical sketches; with a record of the Post Express
compiled by John Devoy (1895)
page 146

Rufus Keeler was one of the early residents of Rochester who won a position in the city that will long perpetuate his name. He was a native of Galway, Saratoga County, New York, where he was born March 7, 1808. His parents were of English descent and his early education was obtained at Ballston. After leaving school he worked ot his father's farm until 1828, in which year he came to Rochester. He first engaged in the leather business on North Water street, where he was successful, and he next opened a bank in the Minerva block, southeast corner of East Main street and South St. Paul street. He also carried on transactions in real estate in the Metropolitan block, which stood on the southwest corner of St. Paul and Main streets, where his heirs, in 1894, erected in his memory the twelve-story steel and terra-cotta fire-proof building occupied by the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Keeler was a Democrat of the old school and in 1857 was mayor of the city. Previous to the date of his elevation to the mayoralty his popularity was demonstrated by his election as foreman of fire engine company No. 2, an honor which in early times was conferred only upon liberal and public-spirited citizens. Mr. Keeler was also a member of the Masonic and the Odd Fellows societies and a trustee of the Rochester Savings bank. He was married on October 15, 1833, to Miss Phebe Valleau of Le Roy, and died January 20, 1875, at his residence, 114 South St. Paul street.