Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
WILLIAM K. KELLERMAN is one of the
most substantial farmers of Anderson
County, and his home on section 5, Westphalia Township, is one of the finest in the community. His settlement in Kansas dates from the
9th of April, 1875, and in the eighteen years which
have since passed he has always lived at his present place of abode. He was born in Bedford
County, Pa., March 20, 1838, and is a son of Lewis
and Catherine (Kerr) Kellerman, also natives of
the Keystone State. The grandfather, John Kellerman, was born in Cambria County, Pa., and was
a blacksmith by trade. He spent his entire life in
the state of his birth, and passed away when more
than seventy years of age. His children were as
follows: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob May; Samuel;
Lewis; Margaret, wife of Elias Croner; Mary Ann,
wife of John Kizer; Daniel; Joseph; and Susan,
wife of John L. Hill.
The father of our subject is still living in Coffey County, Kan., and is now more than eighty
years of age. In early life he followed teaming
between Baltimore and Washington, beginning
that work at the age of thirteen. Later he teamed
from Philadelphia westward to Pittsburg. Pa., and
Zanesville, Ohio. In Bedford County, Pa., he
married Miss Kerr, who died in 1838, leaving
three children: James, nowa resident of Anderson
County; John, of La Plata County, Colo.; and
William K. Lewis Kellerman was again married,
his second union being with Margaret Hill, by
whom he had the following children: Esther, wife
of Irvin Hill, of Denver, Colo.; David, who is living in Burlington, Kan.; Charles, a resident of
Coffey County, Kan.; Samuel, whose home is in
Denver, Colo.; and Mrs. Laura Dyckman. The
father of this family came to Kansas in 1866, and
for a time resided in Anderson County, but is
now living in Coffey County, where he owns three
good farms and follows stock-raising. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, William
Kellerman spent the days of his boyhood and
youth and in the common schools acquired his
education. Having attained to man's estate he
chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Henrietta Miller, a native of Bedford
County, Pa., and a daughter of Josiah Miller.
Their union was celebrated in 1860, and they began their domestic life upon the farm. Mr. Kellerman owned and operated one hundred and
ninety-three acres of valuable land, which he
placed under a high state of cultivation. Wishing
to seek a home in the west, he came to Kansas in
1875 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of raw prairie land in Anderson County. Later
he purchased an additional tract of one hundred
and sixty acres, and he now owns two hundred
acres, having given to his children the remaining
one hundred and twenty acres. This is one of the
valuable and desirable places of the neighborhood,
complete in all its appointments and supplied
with all modern conveniences and accessories. His
residence, which was erected in 1887, is the finest
in the neighborhood. It is neatly and tastefully
furnished and supplied with all that refinement
and culture approve.
In 1876 Mr. Kellerman was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 31st
of January. Nine children had been born of that
union: Elsworth, now of Washington; Maggie,
who died at the age fourteen; Allie, wife of Jacob
Mosher, of Oklahoma; Ida, wife of George Cannad, of Oklahoma; Warren, who died at the age
of eight years; Howard, at home; Dora, wlio died
at the age of eleven, and George at the age of six;
and Hattie, wife of James Smiley, of Franklin
County, Kan. November 22, 1877,Mr. Kellerman
was married to Miss Mattie Whaley, of Iowa
County, Wis., who died July 19, 1892, leaving
two children, Mary K. and Earl W. On the 15th
of March, 1893, Mr. Kellerman married Matilda,
daughter of William and Caroline (Ebert) Sahm.
She was born in San Antonio, Tex., August 7,
1861.
In politics Mr. Kellerman is a Populist, but
would never accept public office except that of
Treasurer of the school district, which he has held
for many years. At the age of sixteen he united
with the Lutheran Church and has since been one
of its faithful members. His business career has
been a profitable and successful one, his indefatigable labors having won him a handsome competence
and numbered him among the substantial citizens
of the community. He is a man of generous and
kindly spirit, and his genial manner has gained
him many friends.
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