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| Pius P Keller & Anna M Henne |
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Portraits accompanying the biography of Pius P Keller on page 853, Pittsburgh of today: its resources and people, Vol. 5
Author: Harper, Frank C., The American Historical Society, Inc. New York, 1932, pg. 853.
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PIUS PHILIP KELLER - In the early years of the nineteenth century the name Keller became well and favorably known in the business activities of Pittsburgh, the popular restaurant that was conducted by Jacob Keller in Smithfield Street having been the meeting place of the most eminent business and professional men and famous actors of the day. The rendezvous was redolent of the atmosphere of Old Germany and the viands and delectable wines of the Fatherland and of sunny France were attractions to the critical palates of its frequenters that brought it fame and prosperity. Two generations of Kellers presided over its conduct and each was known and admired for high respectability, honorable dealing and devotion to the principles of sound government as conducted under the constitution of the United States and the local laws of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania.
Pius Philip Keller was born in Pittsburgh and was a son of Jacob and Julianna V. (Stritzinger) Keller, who were married in the United States, Jacob being a native of Alsace, and his wife born in Germany. They came to America when young and lived in Pittsburgh throuout their lives. Jacob Keller established himself in business as proprietor of a cafe and is said to have been the first man in Pittsburgh to import fine wines and liquors and the famous Strassberger lager beer for the delection of his patrons. This enterprising spirit quickly received wide publicity and the establishment became largely patronized and very prospersou. Jacob Keller invested in real estate in Pittsburgh and became the owner of a large and valuable estate in the East End, where his death occurred. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: 1. Mary C. married Louis Schwabthaler, both now deceased. 2. Pius Philip, of this review. 3. Eugenia, married Andrew Truschel, deceased. 4. Jerome M. 5. Cornelius. 6. Julianna V., married George Schnelbach.
Pius Philip Keller spent his boyhood at the family home in Smithfield Street and attended school in the neighborhood. He and his boy companions knew "Brimstone Corner" as a favorite playground. He attended the schools of the Third Ward and also the Catholic parochial school there. His larger education, however, was gained later in life, by much reading of instructive literature, by travel and by mingling with cultivated people. He was a very fine penman and a diary he kept for many years is written as clearly as copper plate engraving. He was a clear thinker and a composer of excellent English. He began his business life as a bookkeeper with the firm of Reese and Woods, iron manufacturers, but ill health caused him to discontinue the work and 1872 he made his first visit to Europe. During a later visit he was presented to Pope Pius IX in Rome.
Returning to Pittsburgh, he entered into a partnership with Davis Schmidt and, under the firm name of Schmidt and Keller, established a wholesale boot and shoe business. He servered his connection with this enterprise in a few years and opened a cafe at No. 328 Fifth Avenue, which he conducted successfully for forty-two years. He was a devout member of St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church and a liberal supporter of its charities and general activities. His death occurred in Pittsburgh, March 8, 1916.
Pius Philip Keller married, May 13, 1883, Anna M. Henne, who, with her sisters, Theresa and Josephine, studied vocal music and the piano under Carl Ritter and were very popular in the select musical circles of Pittsburgh. They all had fine voices and were in great demand wherever good music was desired, such as at weddings and in various church affairs. They were daughters of the late Charles and Josephine (Schwer) Henne, both born in Germany and married in the United States. Charles Henne was one of the early newspaper men of Pittsburgh and for many years served as editor of "Republicana," a journal of great influence among the German-born population of the city. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: 1. Theresa, married Edward Bynon, both now deceased. 2. Josephine, married Joseph Schwartz, he now deceased.(end of pg. 851)
pg. 852 (photos of Pius and Mary Keller)
pg. 853
Pius Philip Keller and his wife were the parents of the following children: 1. Marie, married Dr. W. J. C. Lamb and they are the parents of: William, Anetta, and Joan. 2. Marcella V. 3. Pius Philip, Jr., married Margaret Ganley. He was educated in the local schools and afterward attended Fordham University, in New York City; Cornell University and the Law School of Harvard University. He was graduated from the last named institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and now practices his profession as a member of the Pittsburgh firm of Weil, Christie and Weil. In the World War he served in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, holding the rank of captain. 4. Raymond S., in the atuomobile business in Pittsburgh; he married Margaret Mason and they are the parents of one daughter, Susan Keller.
As was his father before him, Pius Philip Keller was a diciple of true temperance and was moderate in all things that contributed to the comfort or happiness of mankind. His place of business was conducted upon these principles and was patronized by gentlemen who understood the art of good living without abusing the gifts provided by a beneficent Nature. Culture and refinement met beneath his hospitable rooftree and exchanged the news of the day and were the better for it. Debauchery was an unknown condition there, for the place was conducted on the age-old traditions of the Teutonic race, that over-indulgence in anything is the hallmark of the beast. Mr. Keller himself stood as a shining example of this tradition and was hailed as one of the outstanding business men of his day and a citizen of unusual value to Pittsburgh.
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