City Directories and History: The Herald reported on May 24, 1902 – “Architect H.E. White went to Yorkville Tuesday to submit plans and specifications for the new school building. The plans were accepted, estimated cost is $12,000.” On July 2, 1902 the Herald further reported, “The contract for the YV Graded School has been let to the Keller and Company. The building is to cost $12,500., Mr. H. E. White of Rock Hill is the architect.” (Keller and Co., at 134 West Main Street. John J. Keller and J.R. Logan).
Mr. John J. Keller lived in 1908 in Rock Hill in the Woodland Park area.
The RH Record reported on March 7, 1907 – “Contractor J.J. Keller has begun the construction of a residence in Oakland (Rock Hill), for G.A. Buchanan. The work is well underway.”
The RH Record reported on Nov. 7, 1907 – “Mr. N.G. Walker, architect with the J.J. Keller Co., of this city, visited Orangeburg last week to inspect the new sewage system installed there.”
The RH Record reported on Aug 26, 1907 – Contained an ad from J.J. Keller Contractors – which stated, “Do you contemplate building? If so, we have in our employee an experienced architect who can draw any plan or do any design you may wish.”
J. J. KELLER, CONTRACTOR by Paul Gettys
One of the most active builders and contractors in the York County area in the early twentieth century was J. J. Keller. This article is an attempt to provide some information on him and the buildings he built.
J. Keller was born on July 20, 1867 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. His parents were Jacob Alexander Keller and Sarah Jane Keller. It appears that his full name was either Joshua John Keller or John Joshua Keller, as there are records in which he is referred to as Josh or Joshua. The earliest reference found is the 1870 Census which had the family (misspelled as “Killer”) located at Silver Creek in Burke County North Carolina. The head of the household was Michael Keller, John’s grandfather, a farmer. John’s father, Jacob, was listed as a farm laborer, and John was listed as “Joshua” aged 3. There was also an infant sister. In 1880, Jacob had become the head of household, indicating the grandfather had died. He was listed as a farmer and John J. was 12 and working on the farm. The family had grown significantly. John was the oldest of six children, ranging down to two years of age. Also in the household was John’s grandmother, Mahala Keller. The 1890 Census has been destroyed and is not available. (Read the entire article on J.J. Keller – click on the title under the primary image.)
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