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the latter year became a clerk in the very
store building he now owns and occupies.
It was then carried on by the firm of
Keeler & Gilbert, the brother of Robert
W., Edward L., being the head of the
firm. After two or three years the firm
dissolved, and Robert W. returned to the
farm, where he continued work until
1876. In the meantime another party had
taken the store at Wilton, and Mr. Keeler
worked for them for a summer. He then
went to Hinsdale, Illinois, where he remained
only a few months as pioneer con-
ditions in the West did not appeal to him.
He went back to the homestead and remained
there until 1882. Soon after this
time he received an advantageous offer
from James Comstock, who then owned a
store in North Wilton, and Mr. Keeler
went to work for him. When his employer
died, about two years later, Mr.
Keeler purchased the business from the
heirs and continued there with gratifying
success for seventeen years, until 1900.
He succeeded Mr. Comstock as postmas-
ter and had the office all those years.
During that time he also kept the town
poor on a contract for a period of about
twenty years. In 1899 Mr. Keeler sold
his business. He then remained on the
farm for a year or two, giving his entire
attention to its cultivation. In 1903 he
opened his present store, and in 1909 purchased
the property. A line of general
merchandise is handled, including agricultural
implements and building materials.
The business of the general merchant
has changed greatly since Mr.
Keeler went into business for himself
more than a third of a century ago. Then
a large part of the business was trans-
acted on a basis of barter for farm produce,
and was the principle means by
which a merchant made a profit. Now
there is very little of that kind of trading,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
381
and the country merchant is not a shipper
of produce as in days of yore.
In politics Mr. Keeler is a Republican,
and from 1880 to 1900, with the excep-
tion of three or four years, served as tax
collector. He made a record, never
equalled but for one year by any other
incumbent of that ofiice, in settling the
tax accounts in full every year and never
carrying delinquent taxes from one year
to the next. In 1900 he was sent to the
Legislature to represent the town, and
discharged his duties in a manner which
brought satisfaction to his constituents.
He served on the insurance committee
and on the committee having in charge
the seating of the members of the House.
Of the latter committee, Mr. Keeler was
chairman and learned how popular a man
is when he has it in his power to bestow
favors, for of course every member wanted
the best seat on the floor, yet only one
man could have it.
Fraternally Mr. Keeler is a member of
Ark Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons ; Washington Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons ; Clinton Commandery,
Knights Templar, of Norwalk ; Lafayette
Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal
Secret ;
Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine,
of Bridgeport. Mr. Keeler is a director
of the Central Trust Company of Nor-
walk, that being the first, with one excep-
tion, that Wilton has been represented in
a bank in Norwalk since the first Sherman
Moonhouse. Sr., was made director
of the old Central Bank some forty years
ago.
Mr. Keeler married Ruth Zelda Raymond,
daughter of William M. Raymond.
Mr. and Mrs. Keeler were the parents
of the following children: i. Florence
Catherine, married George C. Brown, of
Norwalk, now manager of the Park Avenue
Hotel of New York City ; they have