Otto Adolphus Keller

Every life means somebody's plans, dreams, hopes, major or minor achievements, and smaller or bigger disappointments. Every life is filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions. One of those lives was the life of Otto Adolphus Keller.

He was born in the family of Karl P Keller, stock raiser, and trader, and his wife, Caroline Keiser, on 24 October 1879. The family lived in Precinct #4, Mason County, Texas. In June 1880, a few-month-old baby Otto was registered by a census clerk, together with his parents, a year older brother, Charles, and  his grandfather John who was born in Germany. At that time, the family hired a farmhand in the person of 22-year-old Christopher Figa and had a boarder, William Bierschwale, who worked as a store clerk (1).

Otto grew up on his father's ranch who passed when the boy was about 10. Nine years later, on 17 November 1898, 19-year-old Otto Adolphus enlisted in the Army to fight in the War with Spain. The young man served with Company L 4th Texas Infantry. After four months, Otto was honorably discharged on 9 March 1899. He must have been injured during the fights as he was later granted a veteran's pension and issued a War in Spain invalid certificate (2). 

After the war experience, Otto continued his education. On 4 June 1900, he and his 2-year-younger brother Henry William, were renting rooms at Mrs. M Hill's in Dallas City Ward 6, Dallas County. They had been students, for 4 months (3).

By 1913, Otto had become a dentist/dental surgeon.

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 9, 1913, newspaper, October 9, 1913; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth817480/: accessed July 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library. 

On 14 January 1914, Otto Adolphus, age 34, married 20-year-old Miss Jean B Weaver in Gillespie County (4).

The two made their home in San Antonio. Soon, on 12 November 1914, their first child, Wallace Otto was born (5).

Dr. Otto Adolphus Keller practiced dentistry at 305 Brady Boulevard in the city of San Antonio.

Clipping source: Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse für Texas. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 262, Ed. 1 Monday, June 28, 1915, newspaper, June 28, 1915; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1087314/: accessed July 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

When WW1 came, Otto was registered. At that time, the dentist (a short, stout man with brown eyes and dark hair) lived at 237 Wilkinson, San Antonio (6).

 

The rooster of Company C 73rd Infantry informs that Private Otto Adolph Keller (3198219) served with the unit since 1st August 1918 (7,8). Was it Dr. Keller or just a coincidence regarding his name?

After the war, on 29 July 1920, at 5 PM, a daughter was born to Otto and Jean (9). They called her Jean Venilda.

The family lived then at 231 Warwick Boulevard. Otto worked as a promoter (?).

Unfortunately, Otto and Jean's marriage did not survive, they got divorced. 

At the end of his earth's existence, Dr. Keller lived at 103 Buena Vista Street.  Otto lived 55 years 6 months and 20 days. His life was cut short by gas gangrene of his left arm and related to that myocarditits. Otto Adolphus Keller died at 6 PM on 14 May 1936 at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio. He was buried at Mission Burial Park in San Antonio on the next day. 

The person who gave personal information for Otto's death certificate was his brother Henry. By mistake, the late doctor's birth year was registered as 1880, not 1879 (10).

Resources:

1. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-BJM : 20 February 2021), Charles Keller, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 498D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

2. fold3.com 

3. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LC-PFT : accessed 23 July 2021), Otto Keller in household of Mrs. M Hill, Dallas city Ward 6, Dallas, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 108, sheet 3B, family 67, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,625.   

4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9595 : 22 December 2016), Otto A. Keller and Jean B. Wever, 16 Jan 1914; citing , Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.

5. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLQD-PP5 : 1 March 2021), Otto Keller in entry for Wallace Otto Keller, 12 Nov 1914; citing San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States, certificate 38801, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,192,606. 

6. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXY-JLR : 23 February 2021), Otto Adolphus Keller, 1917-1918.

7. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:873T-YZW2 : 17 May 2021), Otto Adolph Keller, 1918.

8. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:87WS-3Z3Z : 17 May 2021), Otto Adolph Keller, 1918.

9. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2Y9-T5F : 1 March 2021), Otto Keller in entry for Jean Venilda Keller, 29 Jul 1920; citing San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States, certificate 33941, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,516,091. 

10.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBL-PJT : 20 February 2021), Otto A Keller, 14 May 1936; citing certificate number 24175, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,864.

San Antonio and The Alamo

In San Antonio, we stayed at one of the hotels situated along River Walk, with its lovely, little bridges (perfect spots to have pictures taken), restaurants, live music, greenery, waterfall (almost) on the sidewalk and lots of tourists of course.

We enjoyed walking there too, but the main reason why we visited the city was the Alamo. My husband wanted to show me the place where 189 defenders fought for thirteen days and died for Texas (March 06, 1836).
While still in Poland, I watched the latest movie about the defense of the Alamo - such a great and very tragic, heroic fight. I was really happy I could visit the mission - where it all took place. However, I found it surprising that the remains of the original fort are situated in the heart of San Antonio, almost in the city center.

Anyway, the mission (San Antonio de Valero) was established in 1718 and was the first one of all San Antonio's missions. In the museum, we saw many relics and mementos from the times of the Republic of Texas. We also watched a documentary on the history of the mission and its defense. It was so amazing to be there - in the mission church and the barracks, and feel the spirit of the place, where the Texian soldiers perished being outnumbered by Gen. Santa Anna's Army.

Yes, we remember the Alamo. Glory to the heroes!

Besides the Alamo grounds, we visited Mission San Jose (built in 1720, south of the Alamo) - part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It covers quite a large area and has interesting architecture and stone structures. When I happen to be in such historical places, I always find it quite special - watching all the sights and imagining the people who used to live there.

The church built 1768-1782, restored 2011

Maybe next time when we visit the city again, we will be able to see all the missions of San Antonio.

Learn more: The Official Alamo Website

 

UPDATE

In 2021, we did visit more missions of San Antonio. You can find more info about our visits on our Facebook page (see the links on the "Travel" page).