My Genealogy Hound

BERNHARD KEISER. Thoughtful readers are always interested in an account of a man who, poor in youth, has successfully overcome obstacles, and on reaching old age is enabled to surround his family with all the comforts of life. Such in brief is the record of Mr. Keiser, now living retired in Fullerton. He is a native of Germany, and was born in Wurtemberg, July 3, 1828. In his native land he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, which he followed in connection with the occupation of a house carpenter for many years, and he was also an expert pattern-maker.

Emigrating to America in 1854, Mr. Keiser took passage on a sailing-vessel at Havre, and after forty days landed in New York, whence he proceeded direct to Philadelphia. In that city he followed his trade for a short time, removing from there to Allentown, where he was also occupied at his trade. For some time he was pattern-maker in a foundry. In the early ‘60s he moved to Hokendauqua, where he was first engaged as a pattern-maker, and later made drawings for the Thomas Iron Company. After two years spent in that place, he went to Allentown, and became a member of the firm of Barbour & Co., carrying on a foundry for some two years. He then returned to Hokendauqua and accepted the position of Master Mechanic with the Thomas Iron Company. While filling that place he planned a portion of the buildings now occupied by the plant. After twelve years in the employ of the company, he came to Fullerton, where he has since lived somewhat in retirement. For two years, however, beginning in 1880, he was in partnership with Harry Barbour in the Allentown foundry, under the firm title of Barbour, Keiser & Co., and although not at present actively engaged in business, he still maintains an interest in the affairs of trade, and finds sufficient to employ his time.

Mrs. Keiser, who was formerly Miss Caroline Pfeiffer, was born in Germany, and has become the mother of three children: Henry B., an engineer and draftsman in the Carnegie Steel Works at Braddock, Pa.; Frank B., Superintendent of the Pioneer Mining and Manufacturing Company, near Birmingham, Ala.; and Edward H., who is Professor of Chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, and has received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Politically Mr. Keiser is a Republican, but in local matters votes for the man best qualified for office, irrespective of political ties.