Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

a prominent member of the Throop Avenue
Presbyterian Church.
(VII) John Foster Keeler, son of John
Ely and Mary Elizabeth (Foster) Keeler,
was born December i8, 1854, in Flushing,
Long Island, New York. He received
his preparatory education at a boarding
school in New Canaan, Connecticut, later
graduating from the University of the
City of New York with the degree of
Civil Engineer. He never, however, en-
tered upon the practice of his profession,
preferring to associate himself with his
father in the latter's carpet cleaning busi-
ness. Mr. Keeler, senior, operated a carpet
cleaning plant and storage warehouse
in Brooklyn, and his son made it the business
of his life. In politics he was an
active Republican, representing the
Twenty-first Ward of Brooklyn in the
New York Legislature. He affiliated with
Euclid Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of Brooklyn, and had also taken the
Royal Arch degrees. Mr. Keeler married
Mary Gazella Foster, whose ancestral
record is appended to this biography, and
they became the parents of the following
children: i. Harold, died at the age of
nine years. 2. Helen De Forest, born
June 26, 1884; married Walter McLaren,
M. D., of Brooklyn, and has one child,
Anson Austin. 3. Anson Foster, mentioned
below. The family were members
of the Congregational church. Mr.
Keeler died July 3, 1902.
(VIII) Anson Foster Keeler, son of
John Foster and Mary Gazella (Foster)
Keeler, was born September 22, 1887, in
Brooklyn, New York. He received his
education in public schools of his native
city. At the age of fifteen he came to
Norwalk, where for some years he was
variously employed. In 1910 Mr. Keeler
entered the service of Armour & Company,
and for six years remained with
them as a salesman. In February, 1916,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
384
he formed a partnership with Alvin R.
Heerdt under the firm name of the Norwalk
Steam Laundry. Later they bought
out Lowe's Laundry, consolidating the
business with their own, and in December,
1919, they purchased the Old Well Laun-
dry. They are now the proprietors of the
largest steam laundry in Southwestern
Connecticut, perfectly sanitary in every
department, and having the most com-
plete and modern equipment. Their pa-
tronage is not confined to Norwalk, but
extends to neighboring towns. Their
present flourishing condition is largely
due to the tireless energy and sound business
judgment of Mr. Keeler, who from
the day of his first connection with the
concern has, with the exception of his
period of military service, labored strenuously
for the upbuilding and main-
tenance of the business.
When the United States entered the
World War, Mr. Keeler was among the
first to respond to the call to arms, enlisting
July 10, 1917, in the Sixth Company,
Coast Artillery Corps, Connecticut
National Guard. On July 15th they went
to Fort Terry, New York, remaining until
January 4, 1918, when they proceeded to
the Third Officers' Training School, Camp
Upton. On April 19, 1918, they left there
for Camp Gordon, Mr. Keeler then hold-
ing the rank of sergeant. At Camp Gordon,
on June 6, 1918, he received his commission
as second lieutenant, and on July
i8th left for overseas duty. Lieutenant
Keeler went over with a replacement
company, landing in Liverpool, August
3rd, and soon after going to France. From
Cherbourg they proceeded to St. Aigman,
where the company was taken from
the officers, and Lieutenant Keeler was
assigned to Company A, i6ist Infantry,
Sunset Division (41st). He was with
them until September 26th, when he was
ordered to report to the Sixth Army