Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOHN
D. KELLER
An experienced and skilled
mechanic, and a man of decided energy, excellent ability and sterling
character, John D. Keller, as secretary and manager of the Enterprise
Manufacturing Company, is prominently identified with one of San Jose’s many
industries. He was born February 18, 1855, in Buttschwyl,
St. Gall, Switzerland. His father’s business as a cotton manufacturer taking
him into many different places, he obtained his early education in the local
schools of Austria, Bohemia and Bavaria. At the age of eighteen he began
learning the locksmith’s trade, and after serving an apprenticeship of three
years in Tyrol, Austria, he there found employment in a machine shop.
Subsequently, as a journeyman machinist, he traveled extensively throughout
Austria, Germany and Switzerland, remaining in central Europe until 1884.
Immigrating then to the United States, Mr. Keller worked at his trade in
Milwaukee, Wis. Coming westward in 1888, he located in San Francisco, and
thereafter was in the employ of the Union Iron Works.
Removing to San Jose in the spring
of 1889, Mr. Keller worked in McKenzie’s machine shops for a time, and then
settled in Santa Clara, where he was employed as a machinist by the Pacific
Manufacturing Company for three years. He afterwards followed his trade for a
brief time in San Jose, and then returned to Santa Clara, where he started a
machine shop, which he operated for three years. Subsequently, with two
partners, he established the National Foundry and Machine Company, locating on
River street, San Jose, and here built up a good
business. At the end of four years he sold out to Anderson, Borugrover
& Co., but retained an interest in the plant, and remained as foreman of
the machinery department for some time. In January, 1903, Mr. Keller bought an
interest in the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, was at once elected secretary
and manager, and has since had control of the business, which has grown with
marked rapidity during the past few months.
This company, which has an iron and
brass foundry and a machine shop, is located at Nos. 327-347 West Santa Clara
street, and is one of the largest and best-equipped manufacturing plants of the
city. Its manufactures include all kinds of agricultural and mining machinery
and implements, including orchard and farming supplies, engines, pumps, wagons,
plows, and the celebrated Forbes cultivator, on which it owns a patent. The
plant is furnished with a fifteen-horse-power gasoline engine, and in
connection with its machinery department has a blacksmith’s shop in which fine
work is done. Mr. Keller owns property in Santa Clara, where he built his fine
residence. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and takes
much interest in the organization.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 636-637. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.