Daniel and Abigail (Napton) Keltner, pioneers in Ohio and Wisconsin

“There was also a cut-off at Oregon, called the Keltner Trail. That ran along the bluffs to First avenue, where it turned south and connected with the one up Florida. This cut-off was quite a convenience to teams going west.” (V.1-40)

“The first school on the South side was kept in the house of Daniel Keltner, on the northeast corner of Florida and Greenbush streets, in the winter of 1836. The teacher was Eli Bates, Jr., now a Chicago millionaire. This building is yet standing.” (2-310)

The transition from farm to urban employment was not smooth for the Keltner family. The history of Theodore Keltner shows that. First he helps on the family farm; then he is a seaman on the Great Lakes for 7 years; then he joins the Union Army and serves bravely including acting as aide de camp to Gen. Starkweather. On his return he works in a steel mills; then he is a brakeman on the RR; then works in the ice business, and then in rail yards of the Bay View rolling mills.

"THEODORE KELTNER, conductor at the yards of the North Chicago Rolling Mills, Bay View, was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1834. He came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1836, and followed farming in early life in the vicinity of Milwaukee. He then went as a seaman on the lakes and spent seven years in this employment. September 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, First Wisconsin Infantry; served three years. During the latter portion of his service he was aide to Gen. Starkweather. On returning from the army he followed farming a few years in the Town of Lake. In 1868 he engaged with the Milwaukee Rolling Mills Company, where he worked one year. He then entered the service of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway as brakeman; was with that company two years; was next engaged in the ice business, and on the opening of the rolling mills at Bay View under the management of the North Chicago Rolling Mills Company he engaged as conductor August 20, 1879. He met with a serious accident caused by his engine jumping the track near the crossing in the yards. He was buried in a pile of coke near the track; had one leg broken and received other serious injuries, which laid him up three months. In the Fall of 1878 he was nearly crushed between a couple of freight cars while coupling. Residence, Kinnickinnic avenue." [from History of Milwaukee, 1881]

Most of the family stayed in farming, some by moving West for fresh land at cheap prices: Alice Ann Keltner born 14 July 1830 in Mansfield, Ohio, married Smith Russell Bennett (b. 7 Jul 1827 Hounsfield, N.Y.) on 18 May 1852 in Milwaukee. They made their first home in Lake Township, Milwaukee, and their first four children were born there. They had a farm valued at $4000 RE and $175 PE in 1860. After that they moved to the wonderfully named Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin, where they had a farm valued at $4000 RE and $535 PE in 1870. Some of the children would move again to Nebraska. They had: Franklin L. (b. 13 Jun 1853 Milwaukee—d. 13 Jan 1946 Pawnee city, Nebraska); George (Aug 1855 Milwaukee—d. Spring Prairie, Wisconsin); Charles E. (b. 1857 Milwaukee—d.1918); Dewitt Charles (10 Dec 1859 Milwaukee—d. 17 Nov 1902 Milwaukee); Edith Mae (29 Jun 1871 Spring Prairie, Wisconsin—d. 17 Oct 1927 Lincoln County, Nebraska); William (b. 23 Sep 1873 Spring Prairie, Wisconsin—d. 9 Jul 1921 Pawnee City, Nebraska).

Smith Russell Bennett died in 1893 in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin. In 1900 Alice A. Bennett age 69, born Ohio, is a widow living with her daughter Edith May age 27 and son-in-law Will Hare age 30 and grandchild Charles Harold Hare age 1 in Lancaster, Nebraska. She is still living with them in 1910 but now in University Place, Lancaster, Nebraska. She died 15 May 1918 University Place, Nebraska.

To survive on the farm in Lake Township, Eli and Rosetta Keltner had to rely on the "family wage"; the pooling of income from all family members. In 1900, Eli Keltner age 63 (born Nov 1836), wife Rosa Keltner age 57 (born Sep 1842), John P. Keltner age 30 (born Sep 1869), Elmer E. Keltner age 28 (born Oct 1871), Milton O. Keltner age 25 (born May 1875), Gertrude Keltner age 26 Eli’s daughter-in-law (born Aug 1873), Franklin Keltner age 23 (bon Dec 1876), Adda M. Keltner age 18 (born June 1881), Hattie M. Keltner age 16 (born Dec 1883), and Earl Keltner age 1/12 (born Apr 1900) who is Eli’s grandson, live in Lake Town, Precinct 1, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eli’s occupation is gardener, John P.’s is cutter rolling mill, Elmer E.’s is gardener laborer, Milton O. is an accountant (husband of Gertrude), Franklin was a garden laborer too. Eli and Rosa had been married for 35 years and had 7 children of whom 7 were still alive.

The Civil War destroys three of the Keltner family.

Daniel Keltner died in the service of his country during the Civil War. Daniel Keltner, that proud American pioneer, enlisted in Company K, 24^th Wisconsin Infantry in 1862. He died 14 Feb 1863. His wife, Abigail Keltner received a widow’s pension.

I wonder why a man in his fifties would have enlisted? It may be that his two favorite sons had joined up.

• His youngest son, Charles Keltner, age 22, enlisted in Company D, the 1st Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry on 9 May 1861 as a private. This regiment was organized as a 90-day regiment under the proclamation of war of April 16, 1861, with a numerical strength of 810, Col. John C. Starkweather commanding. It left the state on June 9. It led the advance on Martinsburg in the Shenandoah Valley, and participated in the battle of Falling Waters. This battle was an early instance of Stonewall Jackson outsmarting a larger force of Union soldiers and leading them to withdraw from the Shenandoah valley before the first major battle, the battle of Bull Run, on July 21. After the 90 days were up the 1st Wisconsin was mustered out in Wisconsin and then was reorganized as a three year regiment, still under the command of Colonel John Converse Starkweather.
• Theodore Keltner enlisted on 5 Sep 1861 in Company D, 1st Infantry Regiment Wisconsin. So the brothers were now serving side by side. The 1st Wisconsin moved to Louisville, Kentucky, on October 28-31 and saw duty there till November 14. The 1st Wisconsin was then sent to occupy Nashville, Tennessee, and then do guard duty on the vital supply railroads. It would join with their father's regiment in Buell's Army of the Cumberland for the pursuit of Braxton Bragg's Confederate Army that was attempting to capture Kentucky for the Confederacy. Theodore and Charles performed bravely under heavy fire in the two major engagements--Perrysville and Chickamauga.
• Theodore Keltner became an aide to Col. Starkweather who would be named a Brigadier General after Perrysville. He would serve under Starkweather until the 1st Regiment was mustered out in Wisconsin in October 14, 1864. He had received a medal for distinguished service. He served in the western campaigns of the Army of the Ohio and then in the army of the Cumberland under Rosecrans and then was commanded by Gen. Thomas who fought under Grant in the Battles of Chattanooga. He and the 1st were part of Sherman’s Atlanta campaign.

Daniel Keltner and the 24th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry

Organized at Milwaukee, Wis., and mustered in August 15, 1862. Left State for Louisville, Ky., September 5. Attached to 37th Brigade, 11th Division, Army of the Ohio, September, 1862. 37th Brigade, 11th Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863.

SERVICE:- Camp at Jeffersonville, Ind., September 7-10, 1862. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, September 10, and duty at Covington, Ky., till September 18. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., September 18. Pursuit of Confederate Army under Braxton Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky., October 1-16. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stones River, December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Since Daniel Keltner died 14 Feb 1863, he was either wounded at Stone’s River or more likely died of disease. He would have fought beside his sons, who were in the 1st Wisconsin at Perryville and Stone’s River.

Charles H. Larrabee was appointed Colonel, and on 5 September when the regiment left Wisconsin bound for Kentucky.
 The 24th reached Jeffersonville, Indiana on the 7th, and stayed three days before being ordered to Cincinnati, Ohio. They crossed the Ohio on 11 September, and went into camp near Covington, Kentucky. The regiment then marched to Louisville, where they arrived on 20 September. At Louisville they were assigned to the Thirty - Seventh Brigade, under Colonel Gruesel, of the Eleventh Division, under General Phillip Sheridan.

The 24th participated in the advance to Perryville, where they were lightly engaged. The brigade was ordered forward in the afternoon, but the 24th remained in reserve to guard an artillery battery. Later that day, the 24th was ordered forward, with which they responded with a cheer, and engaged the enemy's right. The rebels broke and the 24th gave pursuit until the rebels were finally out of range. The regiment behaved with great coolness, this being their first battle. James W. Hazel was the regiment's only casualty, he being killed.
 On 11 October, the 24th joined in the pursuit of the rebel forces, which was abandoned on the 15th. The twenty - second of November found the 24th crossing the Cumberland River and camping at Mill Creek, near Nashville. The division of Phil Sheridan was now part of the newly formed right wing under General Alexander McCook, with the army commander now being William S. Rosecrans.

The 24th left Mill Creek on 27 December, now under the command of Major Elisha C. Hibbard, the brigade under Joshua W. Sill, and took part in the Battle of Stones River, in which they were heavily engaged on the 30th and 31st. On the 30th, the regiment advanced in support of an artillery battery, and suffered some loss due to the enemy's batteries. The regiment lay on arms all night, and, having been ordered not to build fires, suffered greatly from the cold. On the 31st, Sheridan's division found itself on the left flank of the right wing. The enemy, attacking in the early morning, had rolled up the division of Johnson, and was doing the same to Davis' division, who was formed on the right of Sheridan. The battle having now come to Sheridan, he prepared to receive the rebel onslaught. The 24th was formed on the extreme right flank of the brigade. The regiment to the right of the 24th having fell back from the pressure of the attack, the 24th was left with it's flank exposed. The 1st Louisiana came charging up the hill toward the 24th. Having not been in so tight a situation before, the 24th broke and fell back. Major Hibbard tried to retire by companies, but the order was lost in the confusion. The 24th reformed next to the Blanton house, and, finally calmed, did good service in conducting a fighting withdrawal with the rest of Sheridan's division, along with other hastily assembled units trying to stop the rebel horde. The brigade now being under Gruesel (Sill having been killed) the brigade was ordered to guard the supply trains, which were being harassed by rebel cavalry. During the remainder of the battle, the 24th was not actively engaged. The regiment suffered losses of 19 killed, 57 wounded, and 98 captured or missing, for a total of 174.
 After Stones River, the regiment was placed in the First Brigade, under General Lytle, and the Third Division, under Sheridan. The division formed part of the 20th Army Corps, under McCook.

Daniel Keltner died 14 Feb 1863.

A History of His Sons', Charles and Theodore, Services in Company D, First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Fox's Regimental Losses

From Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland 1892:

“Always interested in military affairs, he [Starkweather] had been captain of a militia company in Milwaukee. At the first call for volunteers, in April, 1861, he promptly tendered his services, and was soon appointed colonel of the First Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry. Under his command, the regiment made itself a name by engaging in the battle of Falling Waters, in Virginia, July 2, 1861. It was a part of the column which, under the leadership of COLONEL GEORGE H. THOMAS, crossed the Potomac and invaded the 'sacred soil’ of Virginia. This regiment had in its ranks a large number of those who afterward greatly distinguished themselves in the War of the Rebellion…"

At its muster out, August 20^th, the regiment immediately re-organized for the three years’ service, and STARKWEATHER was commissioned its colonel. It was mustered into service, over one thousand strong, October 8, 1861, and soon after was ordered to Kentucky. Here, at West Point, Bacon Creek, and Munfordville, it passed the winter, and on the surrender of Fort Donelson, marched to Nashville. It was part of the troops left to hold the lines of communication when the main army advanced to Shiloh; and during the summer made various excursions, at one time almost reaching Chattanooga.

At the battle of Perryville, just a year after its muster into service, the regiment under STARKWEATHER’S LEAD, greatly distinguished itself. He commanded a brigade in ROUSSEAU’s division, and “when he heard the firing in front, he had the good sense to abandon the road, move around JACKSON’S column, and to fall in on the left, on the very spot where he was most needed.” The loss of his brigade in this fierce battle was 756, being third in point of numbers of all engaged on that memorable field. On return to Tennessee, the brigade, still under STARKWEATHER, moved forward toward Stone’s River. On the 30^th of December, it was sent to drive away WHEELER from the destruction of the train. A sharp contest ensued, when the enemy was repulsed and retired, STARKWEATHER’S brigade losing 122. The next day it moved up to the battle field and joined ROUSSEAU’S division, where “it held position in front, and did it bravely, doing all that was required of them, like true soldiers.”

COLONEL STARKWEATHER, during the summer, received his commission as brigadier-general, dating from July 17, 1863. He was with his brigade during the advance on Chattanooga, and at the battle of Chickamauga he bore a distinguished part, being in command of the Second Brigade of BAIRD’S division, Fourteenth Corps. Of his conduct here, GENERAL BAIRD says in his report: “GENERAL STARKWEATHER, holding one of the key points of our position, rendered distinguished service by his own coolness, inspiring his men with confidence. He received a slight wound in the leg, but, I am happy to say, not such as to make him quit the field.” Two of his staff were killed in this bloody encounter, and his brigade lost in all 606, of whom 350 were reported killed and wounded—a greater number than in either of the other brigades of the division.

During the assault on Missionary Ridge, GENERAL STARKWEATHER, with his brigade, held the works at Chattanooga, and so was not engaged. In the reorganization of the army for the Atlanta campaign, the next spring, GENERAL STARKWEATHER was assigned to the defense of the lines of communication, with headquarters at Pulaski. He was also a member of the court-martial appointed for the trial of SURGEON-GENERAL HAMMOND. These various duties occupied him during the rest of his term of service, and 11^th of May, 1865, the war being ended, he resigned and returned to his old home.

GENERAL STARKWEATHER had many of the characteristics of a great soldier. Tall and commanding in figure, his bearing was martial and distinguished. His voice was remarkable for compass and sonorousness. He could easily be heard by 10,000 men. His command was always well disciplined. Few who ever saw him, as he handled his regiment on parade, could ever forget him. During his later years, his health was far from firm, and those who then saw him saw only the shadow of his former self.”[according to what he wrote, he destroyed his lungs yelling orders at the battle of Chickamauga and never really recovered]

The 1st Wisconsin fought at Jefferson, Tennessee 30 Dec 1862.

"Just as a train of 64 wagons, loaded with camp equipage, stores, officers, baggage, knapsacks, etc., was entering Jefferson it was attacked in the rear and center by a portion of Wheeler's Confederate cavalry, while the remainder advanced on both sides of the highway to attack the brigade stationed there under the command of Col. John C. Starkweather. The pickets, however, were able to hold the enemy in check until Starkweather formed his brigade in line of battle the 21st Wis. being sent to the front and rear of the train and the 1st. Wis. deploying as skirmishers."

The 1st fought at Dug's Gap. After the Tullahoma Campaign, Rosecrans renewed his offensive, aiming to force the Rebels out of Chattanooga. The three corps comprising Rosecrans’s army split and set out for Chattanooga by separate routes. Hearing of the Union advance, Braxton Bragg concentrated troops around Chattanooga. While Col. John T. Wilder’s artillery fired on Chattanooga, Rosecrans attempted to take advantage of Bragg’s situation and ordered other troops into Georgia. They raced forward, seized the important gaps, and moved out into McLemore’s Cove. Negley’s XIV Army Corps division, supported by Brig. Gen. Absalom Baird’s division, was moving across the mouth of the cove on the Dug Gap road when Negley learned that Rebels were concentrating around Dug Gap. Moving through determined resistance, he closed on the gap, withdrawing to Davis’ Cross Roads in the evening of September 10 to await the supporting division. Bragg had ordered General Hindman with his division to assault Negley at Davis’ Cross Roads in the flank, while Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne’s division forced its way through Dug Gap to strike Negley in front. Hindman was to receive reinforcements for this movement, but most of them did not arrive. The Rebel officers, therefore, met and decided that they could not attack in their present condition. The next morning, however, fresh troops did arrive, and the Rebels began to move on the Union line. The supporting Union division had, by now, joined Negley, and, hearing of a Confederate attack, the Union forces determined that a strategic withdrawal to Stevens Gap was in order. Negley first moved his division to the ridge east of West Chickamauga Creek where it established a defensive line. The other division then moved through them to Stevens Gap and established a defensive line there. Both divisions awaited the rest of Maj. Gen. George Thomas’s corps. All of this was accomplished under constant pursuit and fire from the Confederates.

Battle of Chickamauga: Charles and Theodore were fighting under Col. Starkweather in Baird’s Division. Baird stood with Thomas at the end of the battle staving off the utter ruin of the Army of the Cumberland and earning Thomas the soubriquet of "Rock of Chickamauga".

Baird with Col. Starkweather and Thomas' Army had ended up on the northern end of the line at the battle.

Brannan's division was holding its ground against Forrest and his infantry reinforcements, but their ammunition was running low. Thomas sent Baird's division to assist, which advanced with two brigades forward and one in reserve. Brig. Gen. John King's brigade of U.S. Army regulars relieved Croxton. The brigade of Col. Benjamin Scribner took up a position on King's right and Col. John Starkweather's brigade remained in reserve. With superior numbers and firepower, Scribner and King were able to start pushing back Wilson and Ector.

Bragg committed the division of Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell to the fight, countering Thomas's reinforcements. The brigades of Col. Daniel Govan and Brig. Gen. Edward Walthall advanced along the Alexander's Bridge Road, smashing Baird's right flank. Both Scribner's and Starkweather's brigades retreated in panic, followed by King's regulars, who dashed for the rear through Van Derveer's brigade. Van Derveer's men halted the Confederate advance with a concentrated volley at close range. Liddell's exhausted men began to withdraw and Croxton's brigade, returning to the action, pushed them back beyond the Winfrey field.

Believing that Rosecrans was attempting to move the center of the battle farther north than Bragg planned, Bragg began rushing heavy reinforcements from all parts of his line to his right, starting with Cheatham's division of Polk's Corps, with five brigades the largest in the Army of Tennessee. At 11 a.m., Cheatham's men approached Liddell's halted division and formed on its left. Three brigades under Brig. Gens. Marcus Wright, Preston Smith, and John Jackson formed the front line and Brig. Gens. Otho Strahl and George Maney commanded the brigades in the second line. Their advance greatly overlapped Croxton's brigade and had no difficulty pushing it back. As Croxton withdrew, his brigade was replaced by Brig. Gen. Richard Johnson's division of McCook's XX Corps near the LaFayette Road. Johnson's lead brigades, under Col. Philemon Baldwin and Brig. Gen. August Willich engaged Jackson's brigade, protecting Croxton's withdrawal. Although outnumbered, Jackson held under the pressure until his ammunition ran low and he called for reinforcements. Cheatham sent in Maney's small brigade to replace Jackson, but they were no match for the two larger Federal brigades and Maney was forced to withdraw as both of his flanks were crushed.

The Federals launched several unsuccessful counterattacks late in the afternoon to regain the ground around the Viniard house. Col. Heg was mortally wounded during one of these advances. Late in the day, Rosecrans deployed almost his last reserve, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's division of McCook's corps. Marching north from Lee and Gordon's Mill, Sheridan took the brigades of Cols. Luther Bradley and Bernard Laiboldt. Bradley's brigade was in the lead and it was able to push the heavily outnumbered brigades of Robertson and Benning out of Viniard field. Bradley was wounded during the attack.

By 6 p.m., darkness was falling, and Braxton Bragg had not abandoned his idea of pushing the Federal army to the south. He ordered Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne's division (Hill's corps) to join Polk on the army's right flank. This area of the battlefield had been quiet for several hours as the fighting moved progressively southward. George Thomas had been consolidating his lines, withdrawing slightly to the west to what he considered a superior defensive position. Richard Johnson's division and Absalom Baird's brigade were in the rear of Thomas's westward migration, covering the withdrawal. At sunset Cleburne launched an attack with three brigades in line—from left to right, Brig. Gens. James Deshler, Sterling Wood, and Lucius Polk. The attack degenerated into chaos in the limited visibility of twilight and smoke from burning underbrush. Some of Absalom Baird's men advanced to support Baldwin's Union brigade, but mistakenly fired at them and were subjected to return friendly fire. Baldwin was shot dead from his horse attempting to lead a counterattack. Deshler's brigade missed their objective entirely and Deshler was shot in the chest while examining ammunition boxes. Brig. Gen. Preston Smith led his brigade forward to support Deshler and mistakenly rode into the lines of Col. Joseph B. Dodge's brigade (Johnson's division), where he was shot down. By 9 p.m Cleburne's men retained possession of the Winfrey field and Johnson and Baird had been driven back inside Thomas's new defensive line.

Rosecrans's defensive line consisted of Thomas in his present position, a salient that encompassed the Kelly Farm east of the LaFayette Road, which Thomas's engineers had fortified overnight with log breastworks. To the right, McCook withdrew his men from the Viniard field and anchored his right near the Widow Glenn's. Crittenden was placed into reserve and Granger, still concentrated at Rossville, was notified to be prepared to support either Thomas or McCook, although practically he could only support Thomas.

Still before dawn, Baird reported to Thomas that his line stopped short of the intersection of the LaFayette and McFarland's Gap Roads, and that he could not cover it without weakening his line critically. Thomas requested that his division under James Negley be moved from McCook's sector to correct this problem. Rosecrans directed that McCook was to replace Negley in line, but he found soon afterward that Negley had not been relieved. He ordered Negley to send his reserve brigade to Thomas immediately and continued to ride on an inspection of the lines. On a return visit, he founded Negley was still in position and Thomas Wood's division was just arriving to relieve him. Rosecrans ordered Wood to expedite his relief of Negley's remaining brigades. Some staff officers later recalled that Rosecrans had been extremely angry and berated Wood in front of his staff, although Wood denied that this incident occurred. As Negley's remaining brigades move north, the first attack of the second day of the Battle of Chickamauga started.

The attack on the Confederate right flank had petered out by noon, but it caused great commotion throughout Rosecrans's army as Thomas sent staff officers to seek aid from fellow generals along the line. West of the Poe field, Brannan's division was manning the line between Reynolds's division on his left and Wood's on his right. His reserve brigade was marching north to aid Thomas, but at about 10 a.m. he received one of Thomas's staff officers asking for additional assistance. He knew that if his entire division were withdrawn from the line, it would expose the flanks of the neighboring divisions, so he sought Reynolds's advice. Reynolds agreed to the proposed movement, but sent word to Rosecrans warning him of the possibly dangerous situation that would result. However, Brannan remained in his position on the line, apparently wishing for Thomas's request to be approved by Rosecrans. The staff officer continued to think that Brannan was already in motion. Receiving the message on the west end of the Dyer field, Rosecrans, who assumed that Brannan had already left the line, desired Wood to fill the hole that would be created. His chief of staff, James A. Garfield, who would have known that Brannan was staying in line, was busy writing orders for parts of Sheridan's and Van Cleve's divisions to support Thomas. Rosecrans's order was instead written by Frank Bond, his senior aide-de-camp, generally competent but inexperienced at order-writing. As Rosecrans dictated, Bond wrote the following order: "The general commanding directs that you close up on Reynolds as fast as possible, and support him." This contradictory order was not reviewed by Rosecrans, who by this point was increasingly worn-out, and was sent to Wood directly, bypassing his corps commander Crittenden. And so Rosencrans opened a gap in his line where there had been none and Longstreet took prompt advantage of it.

All Union resistance at the southern end of the battlefield evaporated. Sheridan's and Davis's divisions fell back to the escape route at McFarland's Gap, taking with them elements of Van Cleve's and Negley's divisions. The majority of units on the right fell back in disorder and Rosecrans, Garfield, McCook, and Crittenden, although attempting to rally retreating units, soon joined them in the mad rush to safety. Rosecrans decided to proceed in haste to Chattanooga in order to organize his returning men and the city defenses. He sent Garfield to Thomas with orders to take command of the forces remaining at Chickamauga and withdraw to Rossville. At McFarland's Gap units had reformed and General Negley met both Sheridan and Davis. Sheridan decided he would go to Thomas's aid not directly from McFarland's gap but via a circuitous route northwest to the Rossville gap then south on Lafayette road. The provost marshal of the XIV Corps met Crittenden around the gap and offered him the services of 1,000 men he had been able to round up during the retreat. Crittenden refused the command and continued his personal flight. At about 3 p.m., Sheridan's 1,500 men, Davis's 2,500, Negley's 2,200, and 1,700 men of other detached units were at or near McFarland's Gap just 3 miles away from Horseshoe Ridge.

The entire Army of the Cumberland did not flee, however. Thomas's four divisions still held their lines around Kelly Field and a strong defensive position was attracting men from the right flank to Horseshoe Ridge. James Negley had been deploying artillery there on orders from Thomas to protect his position at Kelly Field (although Negley inexplicably was facing his guns to the south instead of the northeast). Retreating men rallied in groups of squads and companies and began erecting hasty breastworks from failed trees. The first regimental size unit to arrive in an organized state was the 82nd Indiana, commanded by Col. Morton Hunter, part of Brannan's division. Brannan himself arrived at Snodgrass Hill at about noon and began to implore his men to rally around Hunter's unit.

Units continued to arrive on Horseshoe Ridge and extended the line, most importantly a regiment that Brannan had requested from Negley's division, the 21st Ohio. This unit was armed with five-shot Colt revolving rifles, without which the right flank of the position might have been turned by Kershaw's 2nd South Carolina at 1 p.m. Historian Steven E. Woodworth called the actions of the 21st Ohio "one of the epic defensive stands of the entire war." [81] The 535 men of the regiment expended 43,550 rounds in the engagement. Stanley's brigade, which had been driven to the area by Govan's attack, took up a position on the portion of the ridge immediately south of the Snodgrass house, where they were joined by Harker's brigade on their left. This group of randomly selected units were the ones who beat back the initial assaults from Kershaw and Humphrey. Soon thereafter, the Confederate division of Bushrod Johnson advanced against the western end of the ridge, seriously threatening the Union flank. But as they reach the top of the ridge, they found that fresh Union reinforcements had arrived

Throughout the day, the sounds of battle had reached 3 miles north to McAfee's Church, where the Reserve Corps of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger was stationed. Granger eventually lost patience and sent reinforcements south without receiving explicit orders to do so — the two brigades of Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman's division and the brigade of Col. Daniel McCook. As the men marched, they were harassed by Forrest's dismounted cavalrymen and artillery, causing them to veer toward the west. McCook's brigade was left behind at the McDonald house to guard the rear and Steedman's two brigades reached the Union lines in the rear of the Horseshoe Ridge position, just as Johnson was starting his attack. Granger sent Steedman's men into Johnson's path on the run.

Several attacks and counterattacks shifted the lines back and forth as Johnson received more and more reinforcements—McNair's Brigade (commanded by Col. David Coleman), and Deas's and Manigault's brigades from Hindman's division—but many of these men were exhausted. Van Derveer's brigade arrived from the Kelly Field line to beef up the Union defense. Brig. Gen. Patton Anderson's brigade (Hindman's Division) unsuccessfully attempted to assault the hill in the gap between Johnson and Kershaw. Despite all the furious activity on Snodgrass Hill, Longstreet was exerting little direction on the battlefield, enjoying a leisurely lunch of bacon and sweet potatoes with his staff in the rear. Summoned to a meeting with Bragg, Longstreet asked the army commander for reinforcements from Polk's stalled wing, even though he had not committed his own reserve, Preston's division. Bragg was becoming distraught and told Longstreet that the battle was being lost, something Longstreet found inexplicable, considering the success of his assault column. Bragg knew, however, that his success on the southern end of the battlefield was merely driving his opponents to their escape route to Chattanooga and that the opportunity to destroy the Army of the Cumberland had evaporated. After the repeated delays in the morning's attacks, Bragg had lost confidence in his generals on the right wing, and while denying Longstreet reinforcements told him "There is not a man in the right wing who has any fight in him."

Longstreet finally deployed Preston's division, which made several attempts to assault Horseshoe Ridge, starting around 4:30 p.m. Longstreet later wrote that there were 25 assaults in all on Snodgrass Hill, but historian Glenn Tucker has written that it was "really one of sustained duration." [86] At that same time Thomas received an order from Rosecrans to take command of the army and began a general retreat. Thomas's divisions at Kelly field, starting with Reynolds's division, were the first to withdraw, followed by Palmer's. As the Confederates saw the Union soldiers withdrawing, they renewed their attacks, threatening to surround Johnson's and Baird's divisions. Although Johnson's division managed to escape relatively unscathed, Baird lost a significant number of men as prisoners. Thomas left Horseshoe Ridge, placing Granger in charge, but Granger departed soon thereafter, leaving no one to coordinate the withdrawal. Steedman, Brannan, and Wood managed to stealthily withdraw their divisions to the north. Three regiments that had been attached from other units—the 22nd Michigan, the 89th Ohio, and the 21st Ohio—were left behind without sufficient ammunition, and ordered to use their bayonets. They held their position until surrounded by Preston's division, when they were forced to surrender.

The battle was damaging to both sides in proportions roughly equal to the size of the armies: Union losses were 16,170 (1,657 killed, 9,756 wounded, and 4,757 captured or missing), Confederate 18,454 (2,312 killed, 14,674 wounded, and 1,468 captured or missing). These were the highest losses of any battle in the Western Theater during the war and, after Gettysburg, the second-highest of the war overall. Although the Confederates were technically the victors, driving Rosecrans from the field, Bragg had not achieved his objective of destroying Rosecrans, nor of restoring Confederate control of East Tennessee.

Charles Keltner died from wounds on 30 Sep 1863 in Chattanooga, which was now under siege.

The Children of Abigail (Napton) and Daniel Keltner:

1. Alice Ann Keltner born 14 July 1830 in Mansfield, Ohio married Smith Russell Bennett (b. 7 Jul 1827 Hounsfield, N.Y.) on 18 May 1852 in Milwaukee. They made their first home in Lake Township, Milwaukee and the first four children were born there. They had a farm valued at $4000 RE and $175 PE in 1860. After that they moved to the wonderfully named Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin where they had a farm valued at $4000 RE and $535 PE. Some of the children would move again to Nebraska. They had: Franklin L. (b. 13 Jun 1853 Milwaukee—d. 13 Jan 1946 Pawnee city, Nebraska); George (Aug 1855 Milwaukee—d. Spring Prairie, Wisconsin); Charles E. (b. 1857 Milwaukee—d.1918); Dewitt Charles (10 Dec 1859 Milwaukee—d. 17 Nov 1902 Milwaukee); Edith Mae (29 Jun 1871 Spring Prairie, Wisconsin—d. 17 Oct 1927 Lincoln County, Nebraska); William (b. 23 Sep 1873 Spring Prairie, Wisconsin—d. 9 Jul 1921 Pawnee City, Nebraska).

   Smith Russell Bennett died in 1893 in Spring Prairie, Wisconsin. In 1900 Alice A. Bennett age 69, born Ohio, is a widow living with her daughter Edith May age 27 and son-in-law Will Hare age 30 and grandchild Charles Harold Hare age 1 in Lancaster, Nebraska. She is still living with them in 1910 but now in University Place, Lancaster, Nebraska. She died 15 May 1918 University Place, Nebraska.

2. I have no information on Daniel and Abigail’s daughter Catherine although she may well have married Philip Segal. That Catherine may have married Philip Siegel we conjecture for in the 1870 census for we find Abigail Keltner, age 67, born in New Jersey with her daughter Maria Keltner age 27, and they are living with Philip Siegel age 38, a farmer, born in Prussia, his wife Catherine, age 40 keeping house and children Barbara age 17, Julian age 12, Katherinia age 7, and Charles age 4. He is a successful farmer with $6,000 worth of property and $1800 of personal property. Abigail’s son Eli Keltner age 33 born Ohio and his wife “Rosa” (Rosetta Freelove Cross) age 27 their daughter Clara age 5, and John age 9 months live nearby. He is a farm laborer. Abigail Keltner died before the 1880 census. Catherine Siegel, age 50, husband Phillip age 48, Julius age 22, Katie age 19, Amelia age 17 and Charles age 14 live in Lake and Phillip is still a farmer in 1880.

3. Daniel and Abigail's son, Eli Napton Keltner, married Rosetta Freelove Cross (born 1 Sep 1842 Clymer, Chautauqua, N.Y.) Rosetta Cross married Eli N. Keltner on March 1864 and had 7 children. They were Clara Isabelle born October 7, 1864, John Clifford born September 18, 1869, Elmer Eli born October 12, 1871, Milton Irving born May 17, 1875, Franklin Filmore born December 25, 1876, Adelaide Marion born June 1, 1881, and Harriet Marie (Hattie) born December 3, 1883.

   Eli Keltner lives in Lake Township in 1870. Eli Keltner age 38 is listed as a farm laborer in the 1870 U.S. Census. His wife is Rosa (Rosetta Freelove Cross) age 27, keeping house, and daughter Clara age 5 and son John age 9/12 are living with him in the township of Lake.

   In 1880 Eli Keltner age 44, Rosa F. Keltner age 37, Clara Keltner age 15, Johnnie Keltner age 10, Erving Keltner age 5, and Frank F. Keltner age 3 live in Lake. Eli is a farmer. Their daughter Clara Keltner married Horace Peter Wynoble on 7 Feb 1888 in Lake. He was the son of Cornelius Wynoble and Amelia and they were a Dutch farm family in Lake Wisconsin in 1880. In 1900 Peter Wynoble age 41, Clara age 35, and Wilford age 10 live in Ward 17 Milwaukee; Peter’s occupation is porter for a wholesale grocery. They had two children Wilford Cornelius and Lilian Rose; Lilian died in 1893 and Wilford died in 1906. Clara (Keltner) Wynoble died 25 Aug 1903.

   Rosetta wrote a letter to an aunt which described her youngest child--Hattie’s--birth and Rosetta’s life in Lake.

   Jan. 3rd 1884

   Dear Aunt,

   I received this letter informing me of your illness and I thank your friend very much. I should have written you right away but was just able to get up. I have a little girl born Dec 3rd. We deeply sympathise with you in your great affliction. May the good master help you to bear patiently & soon restore you to health. I know something about weakness for in child birth one is taken from strength to perfect weakness in a few hours. I am as well as can be expected, I now have quite a family! Three girls and four boys. Clara does the work. I worried, a good deal before hand, there was so much to do, but she gets along nicely & and is very capable, I worked hard all summer to get ready. You know where there is a baby to care for one doesn’t get time to do much else. I have named her Hattie, she has lots of brown hair & blue eyes weighed eight lbs. Mother and Father have broken up house keeping & and are living with Emily this winter. The went Thanksgiving day. It was pretty hard for Pa to leave the old home. I haven’t seen them for some time, I sent the letter down. Emily was down a little while Christmas (and) said they seem contented. Ma’s health has been very poor all summer by spells. Hardly able to get around the house, Pa is more helpless if anything than she seems to be (he particularly suffers) in one limb & he is all in a perspiration on the least exertion. (He) calls it rheumatism. Emily’s son is studying for the ministry at Lake Forest Illinois. Israel’s wife was quite sick this fall with lung fever but is better now. Steven is home from sailing & is home with the boys, has no house keeper now. She left last summer & the boys boarded out until he came home. Jonnie (Rosetta’s son) goes to school in Bayview a village about two miles & a half from here. They have a graded school there that is much better than our district school & a good many go there from here. Norman’s girl is better so she is about. I don’t think she will ever be well. We built a new kitchen last fall, 12’ by 14’, but did not get it plastered. It has been fine weather here all along until the last few days no snow until just before the holydays but it is cold & blows today everyone prophesized a light winter but I guess they will get enough of it. My little girl Addie is as fat as a pig & and looks a great deal like sister Adelaide. Her hair curls all around her head. Our school has a vacation of two weeks & the boys are all home making noise enough. It must be quite a comfort to you to have your son with you in your sickness. Some men are as handy as women as my husband is. I never like to have strangers. I Have hoped that I might see you out here sometime but now I don’t think I ever will. I could talk to you so much better than I can write. Clara wants very much to send you her picture but hasn’t been able to have any taken. There has been so many ways for money this fall, taxes are almost a dollar an acre. I want to hear from you as often as I can. Hoping these few lines will find you gaining rapidly I will close. For I must take the baby.

   Your affectionate Niece,

   Rosie F. Keltner

   The family is still the mainstay for the care of the aged and sick. Her sister Emily is caring for their 84 year old parents and 19 year old daughter Clara is caring for her and household while she is laid up by the birth of Hattie. Men can sometimes “be as handy” as women in such care. The family wants to farm but taxes and high land prices are squeezing them. Yet they want what urbanization can offer. A graded school offers more age appropriate instruction than one teacher handling all ages. And they want the modern photograph.

   In 1900 Eli Keltner age 63 (born Nov 1836), wife Rosa Keltner age 57 (born Sep 1842), John P. Keltner age 30 (born Sep 1869), Elmer E. Keltner age 28 (born Oct 1871), Milton O. Keltner age 25 (born May 1875), Gertrude Keltner age 26 Eli’s daughter-in-law (born Aug 1873), Franklin Keltner age 23 (bon Dec 1876), Adda M. Keltner age 18 (born June 1881), Hattie M. Keltner age 16 (born Dec 1883) and Earl Keltner age 1/12 (born Apr 1900) who is Eli’s grandson live in Lake Town, Precinct 1, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eli’s occupation is gardener, John P.’s is cutter rolling mill, Elmer E.’s is gardener laborer, Milton O. is an accountant (husband of Gertrude), Franklin was a garden laborer too. Eli and Rosa had been married for 35 years and had 7 children of whom 7 were still alive.

   The 1905 Wisconsin State census finds Eli Keltner age 68, Rosa F. Keltner age 62, Elmer E. Keltner age 33, Frank Keltner age 28, Adda A. Keltner age 24, and Hattie M. Keltner age 21 living together on the farm in Lake township. Eli is a gardener, Elmer is a day laborer, Frank is a house gardener, Adda does housework, Hattie is a milliner.

   In 1910, Eli Keltner age 73, Rosetta S. Keltner age 67, John age 40, Elmer age 38, Frank age 34, and Adeline age 29 live together in Lake. Eli’s occupation is farmer, John is farmer on home farm, Elmer is a bookkeeper for the railroad, Frank is a farmer on the family farm and Adeline has no occupation.

   Eli Napton Keltner died age 80 on 23 Feb 1917.

   In 1920 and 1930 only Rosetta and her son Elmer are living on the farm in Lake, Wisconsin. John Clifford Keltner and Adelaide Keltner are incarcerated in the hospital for the Chronic Insane at Wauwatosa in the 1920 and 1930 census. In the 1920 census, Rosetta’s age is listed as 78, birthplace New York, marital status is widowed, and relation to head of house is mother. Elmer Keltner is 48, occupation gardener of a truck farm. In 1930 Rose Keltner, age 87, was listed as head of household and Elmer Keltner, age 58, occupation is farmer of truck farm.

   1. Their daughter Clara Isabel Keltner, born October 7, 1865 married Horace Peter Wynoble (born 1858 in Milwaukee) on February 7, 1889 in the town of Lake. They had two children: Wilford Cornelius Wynoble born March 19, 1890 in Milwaukee who died 4 Jun 1906, and Lillian Rose born March 6, 1892 who died 31 Dec 1892. Clara Keltner died August 25, 1903 in Milwaukee at the age of 38, buried Forest Home cemetery. Peter Wynoble remarried soon after her death to Jane ? for in the state census of 1905 Peter H. Wynoble age 46 is living with Jane age 27 and Wilfred C. Wynoble age 15, four years before the boy died. Horace Peter Wynoble died 29 Jul 1909. The Wynoble family had two sections of land near the Crosses in the town of Lake according to the 1875 directory.

   2. Eli and Rosetta Keltner's son Milton Irving Keltner (born 17 May 1875) and Bertha Gertrude Murphy had been married on 31 July 1898 and had one child, Earl Keltner who was born in 1900 in LakeTownship. In 1900 Milton, age 25, and his wife Gertrude age 26 and son Earl age 1/12 are living with his parents, Eli age 63 and Rosa age 57, and his brothers John age 30, Elmer age 28, Franklin age 23 and sisters Adda M. age 18 and Hattie M. age 16 in Lake, Milwaukee. Eli is a gardener, John is a cutter at a rolling mill, Elmer and Franklin are garden laborers, Milton is an accountant, Gertrude, the daughter-in-law born Aug 1873, had been married to Milton for two years with one child (Earl) in 1900.

      Unlike his siblings, Milton decided to leave the family orbit and went first to Chicago and then to Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was an accountant; salesman for Amberg File and index co., Chicago, Illinois between 1900 and 1910. In 1910 Milton age 34, Bertha age 36, Earl age 10 and Virginia age 7 are living in Parkersburg ward 8, Wood, West Virginia and he is a traveling salesman of mattresses. Milton Irving’s WWI draft registration also lists his occupation as traveling salesman for Parkersburg Mattress Co. He was living in Parkersburg, Wood Co., W. Va. His wife is Bertha M. Keltner. They are living there in 1920: Milton age 45, Bertha age 46, Virginia age 17 and “Meliton” age 8. His occupation is traveling salesman. They are living in Williams, Wood county, West Virginia in 1930 with Bertha’s mother Mary E. Murphy age 76 and their daughter Virginia R. Keltner age 27 living with them. He is supporting them as a traveling salesman. His son Milton Irving had died June 1923, age 11. His daughter, Virginia Rosemary Keltner is listed in the Parkersburg, West Virginia City directories for 1937-1939. She is still living with her parents. Her father Milton is a salesman for Holland Furnace co. with a house listing at 522 Ellis Ave. Their son Earl L. is also living there and he is a salesman. Milton Keltner’s son Earl married Chloe Jewell Kersey.

      They were visiting West Virginia by 1902 where they had one more child: Virginia Rosemary (b. 29 Sep 1902) and were living there when their son was born: Milton Irving Jr. (b. 29 Dec 1912—d. Jun 1923 buried Mt. Olivet cemetery, Parkersburg, West Virgina) Gertrude Murphy's parents Allen G. Murphy and mother Mary Ellen Rouse Murphy were living in Parkersburg in 1900 and her father operated a lumber company and her mother owned a hotel. In 1910, Milton Keltner age 34, Bertha age 36, Earl age 10 and Virginia age 7 live in Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia and he is a traveling salesman for a mattress company. Milton’s 1917 draft registration card lists the Parkersburg Mattress company as his employer. In 1920 Milton age 45, Bertha age 46, Virginia age 17 and Milton age 8 are living in Parkersburg and Milton’s occupation is still traveling salesman. Milton Jr. died in 1923. In 1930 Milton I. Keltner age 54, his wife Bertha Keltner age 56, daughter Virginia R. Keltner age 27 and his mother-in-law Mary E. Murphy age 76 are living in Williams, Wood, West Virginia and he is still working as a traveling salesman. His son Earl registered for the draft in 1917 as a farmer working for his grandfather A. G. Murphy in Parkersburg with his mother Bertha Keltner as his nearest relative; Earl went back to Milwaukee in 1920 and was working as a stock clerk for the Rubber co. in Cudahy. Earl Keltner is listed in the Parkersburg, West Virginia directory for 1937, 1938-39, 1940, 1946, and 1948. He is listed as a salesman. His father Milton I. Keltner is working as a salesman for the Holland Furnace co in 1937 and the Bungalow Dance Hall in 1938-39 with a home at 522 Ellis and his daughter Virginia R. Keltner is residing with him. They have the same occupations and addresses in 1948. Milton Irving Keltner died on June 25, 1952 at the age of 77 years in West Virginia. He was an accountant; salesman for Amberg File and index co., Chicago, Ill., member F. & A.M., and M. E. Church (Ballard Genealogy). Virginia Rosemary (29 Sep 1902), who never married and lived with her parents until at least 1948 (Parkersburg city Directories)

      Earl’s 1917 draft card says he was a farmer working for A. G. Murphy and that his mother was Bertha Murphy; in 1920 he had come back to Wisconsin and was living in a boarding house in Cudahy and working as a cutter at the Rubber Co., but he went back to West Virginia. Earl Keltner died Sep 1966 in Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia.

   3. Franklin Filmore Keltner (25 Dec 1876) married Marian L. Pavlat on April 26, 1911. She had had a son, Raymond born 1907. Frank worked as a shipping clerk for the Fisk Rubber co. in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Franklin F. Keltner age 44, his wife Mamie age 33 and stepson Raymond age 13 live in Ward 17 Milwaukee in 1920; his occupation is Rubber worker at the Rubber co. In 1930 Frank Keltner an wife Mamie live on 25^th Ave in Milwaukee and he is a shipping clerk for an auto tires Co. Frank Keltner died 12 Jan 1934 at the age of 58 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Milwaukee.

   4. John Clifford Keltner is listed as an inmate in the State Hospital for the Chronic Insane in 1920 and 1930.The Ballard Genealogy described him as an Invalid who works in a laundry (1935). He died 23 Jan 1936 at the age of 66.

   5. Adelaide Marian Keltner is listed as an inmate at the State Hospital for the Chronic Insane at Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1920 and 1930. Adelaide Marion, born 1 Jun 1881, never married and she died 23 November 1960 at the age of 79 at the State Institution for the Chronic Insane at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She and her brother John were sent away after their father died in 1917 to the State Hospital at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. When Rev. Dodge published his book Adelaide was out of the institution and living probably with her mother and brother (unmarried address (1935) station D, R1, Milwaukee, Wis.) Social Security Death Records show she died on 23 Nov 1960 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

      The Milwaukee Hospital for the Insane (formerly known as the Milwaukee Insane Asylum) stood on the Watertown Plank Road in Wauwatosa.

      Milwaukee Psychiatric Hospital
      1220 Dewey Avenue
      Wauwatosa
      Landmark Designation: 1985

      Milwaukee Psychiatric Hospital was founded in Wauwatosa in 1884 and was originally named Milwaukee Sanitarium for the treatment of nervous disorders. Its first site was a farmhouse on a 
15-acre site. Shortly thereafter, a three-story structure was constructed and other buildings added to comprise what is today 36 acres in a natural hilly and wooded setting with a combination of both historic and modern buildings.

      Throughout its history, the hospital has operated as a private (non-governmental) institution and has been a pioneer in many innovative services in the field of mental health (hydro-therapy, in-service training programs for attendants, cottage residences).

      Its founder, Dr. James McBride, built the hospital upon the firm belief that open air and open country were the best medicine for mental health. At that time, these were among the few options available for mentally ill patients. He put his theories into practice on a 38-acre tract along the Menomonee River. Dr. McBride’s vision was further expanded by Dr. Richard Dewey, who introduced a revolutionary idea. Dewey’s idea, called the Cottage System, was first put into place here. It soon changed the face of mental health care across the U.S. Before long, patients from around the country were arriving to take advantage of a distinctive style of care.

   6. Elmer Eli Keltner born 12 Oct 1871 never married. Elmer lived with his mother, Rosetta Cross Keltner, and farmed. Elmer Keltner, age 48 is listed as the head of family in 1920 with his widowed mother Rosetta age 78 living with him in Lake Town section 21; his occupation is gardener of a truck farm. In 1930 Rose Keltner, age 87, a widow, is listed as head of household with Elmer her son age 58; his occupation is farmer of a truck farm. The farm next to them is owned by Jesse A. Jensen, the grandson of Rosetta’s sister Agnes Adelaide; his occupation is gardener of a truck farm; he is age 59, his wife Adeline is age 55, and they have his brother Charles R. Jensen age 54 living with them.

      The grandsons of Rosetta fondly remembered the Keltner family farm. Bill Taylor was sent to stay with his grandmother and went to school from there when he was in the fourth grade. He recalled planting onions in a warm field of rich black earth. It was a lush place of red tomatoes and sweet corn with a cold, deep well in the front yard from which water was hand pumped, and it influenced Bob Taylor to become an agronomist. Elmer was a quiet, unassuming man.

      Elmer Keltner was described as a clerk, Northwestern railroad, and a gardener in the Ballard family genealogy; address (1935) R1, box 411, Cudahy, Wisconsin. He took the traditional position of caring for his parent, Rosetta Freelove (Cross) Keltner in her old age. He died February 24, 1956 at the age of 85.

   7. Hattie Keltner: Her mother Rosetta described her birth.

      “I have a little girl born Dec. 3^rd… I know something about weakness for in child birth one is taken from strength to perfect weakness in a few hours. I am well as can be expected, I now have quite a family! Three girls and four boys. Clara does the work. I worried a good deal before hand, there was so much to do, but she gets along nicely & is very capable, I worked hard all summer to get ready. You know where there is a baby to care for one doesn’t get time to do much else. I have named her Hattie, she has lots of brown hair & blue eyes weighed eight lbs.”

      Rosetta’s oldest daughter, Clara, was 19 years old when Hattie was born, and she had to take on a lot of responsibility. Rosetta had to take a month to recover from the birth (she stated in her letter written Jan. 3^rd that she had just gotten up). Rosetta’s letter gives a snapshot of her life in 1884.

      “Jonnie goes to school in Bayview a village about two miles & a half from here. They have a graded school there that is much better than our district school & a good many go there from here…. My little girl Addie is as fat as a pig & looks a great deal like sister Adelaide. Her hair curls all around her head. Our school has a vacation of two weeks & the boys are all home making noise enough.”

      Rosetta and Eli are working on their house. “We built a new kitchen last fall 12 by 14, but did not get it plastered.” They were working a farm and it was hard to make ends meet particularly when they were paying city taxes. “Clara wants very much to send you her picture but hasn’t been able to have any taken there has been so many ways for money this fall, taxes are almost a dollar an acre.” Despite the high taxes and the encroaching urbanization Eli and Rosetta farmed to the end of their lives.

      It is probable that they inherited a large part of the Cross farm after John and Freelove moved in with their daughter Emily. Eli Keltner died at the age of 86 in 1917. Rosetta Freelove Cross Keltner died October 10, 1938 in Milwaukee at the age of 96. In her old age she was taken care of and her land was farmed for her by her unmarried son, Elmer. According to the Ballard Genealogy, “Eli Keltner, came to Milwaukee in 1835 from Mansfield, Ohio; died of heart trouble.”

      Hattie Keltner married William Albert Taylor on November 3, 1908 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He had been born July 1, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They had: William E. Taylor on 14 Apr 1913 and Robert Earl Taylor on 22 Dec 1923. “Her husband, William Albert, son of Freeman Howard and Elizabeth Ann (Cade) Taylor. With Federal Rubber co., Cudahy; Boston store, Milwaukee; auditor, city comptroller’s office. Member Lake lodge no. 189, F. & A. M.; Lake chapter no. 86, R. A. M.” Their address (1938), 3359 S. New York ave., Milwaukee.(Ballard Genealogy)

4. Francis Keltner married Israel Ballard Cross Jr. Israel Ballard Cross II (born 10 Oct 1825) had married twice: Laura Newton and then after her death, on 26 November 1865, to Eli Keltner’s sister, Frances. As the above history of the Ballard family makes clear, Laura Newton came to Wisconsin to teach school, sent as a home missionary. She also established the first Sunday school in Lake and even established the Presbyterian church. After Laura Newton Ballard's death on 26 Nov 1865, Israel Ballard Cross married a sister of Eli Keltner, Frances Ellen Keltner (b. 1842 in Ohio) on November 26, 1868 in Lake, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had 6 children: James Newton Cross (born Feb. 13, 1869 in Milwaukee, WI.—d. 1951), Bertha Anna Ruby Cross (born May 13, 1872 in Milwaukee, WI.), Maria Emogene (also known as Emma) Cross (born 1874 in Milwaukee, WI), Israel Ballard Cross (born Feb. 7, 1878 in Milwaukee, WI.), Edward Watson Cross (born Dec. 24, 1879 in Lake, Wisconsin—d.1970), and Evelyn Cross (born 1881 in Milwaukee, WI.).

   Frances Ellen Keltner seemed to suffer from ill health. Rosetta (Cross) Keltner commented in her letter, “Israel’s wife was quite sick this fall with lung fever but is better now.” Living with them is Newton Cross, son age 10; Birdie Cross, daughter age 8; Emma Cross age 6; Israel Cross, a son, age 4; and Edward Cross a son, age 5 months.

   In the 1905 state census Israel B. Cross, age 78, Francis E. Cross age 64, Eddie W. Cross age 25, and Eva Cross age 23 live in Lake. Israel’s occupation is farmer as is his namesake son’s; Eddie W. is a bookkeeper, Eva does housework.

   In the 1905 state census Israel age 78, Francis E. age 64, son “Isrial” D. age 28, Eddie W. age 25, and Eva age 23 live in Lake; he and his namesake son are farmers, Eddie is a bookkeeper and Eva does housework.

   In 1910 Israel B. Cross age 83, a retired farmer, Francis A. Cross age 68, and unmarried children Emogene age 35, Israel age 33, a farmer on his father’s farm, and Eveline age 28 live in Lake.

   Frances Ellen Keltner Cross died on December 1, 1912 in Appleton, Calumet, Wisconsin (probably while visiting Ballard relatives there).

   Israel Ballard Cross died May 24, 1918 in Milwaukee.

   Israel Ballard Cross II’s children with Francis Keltner:

   1. His son James Newton Cross (b. 13 feb 1871 Milwaukee) died in Los Angeles on 24 Apr 1951; he had married on 25 Oct 1892 a Mrs. Ida (Gomber) Salentine (b. 1864) who had two sons by her former marriage and they had one child together –Eugene-- born 25 Apr1895. They are living in Milwaukee in 1905 and he is a foreman of a rolling mill (in the Ballard genealogy he is called a master mechanic in steel plant). By 1920 they are living in Los Angeles and there he is a master machinist at a steel plant. Address (1935) 723 N. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA.
   2. Israel Ballard Cross’ son Edward Watson (b. 24 Dec 1879 Lake, Wisconsin; married Marie Clara on 19 Jun 1920 in Milwaukee also died in Los Angeles on 22 Oct 1970; but in 1930 Edward Cross with wife Marie and twins, Marie and Betty, age 8 is still living in Milwaukee. He is an appraiser. Their address (1935) 2807 South Wentworth Ave., Milwaukee. Occupation appraiser; girls born 20 Mar 1922.
   3. Israel B. Cross III married late in life to Lillian Pearl Petterson in 1917 and had one child Lillian (24 Nov 1918). In 1930 he is a carpenter doing odd jobs in Lake township. Adrss (1935) Box 924, Sta., D., R1, Milwaukee.
   4. Bertha Anna Ruby “Birdie” Cross married Walter Scott Nield on 17 Nov 1890. They had: Ethel (1892), Foster (1894), Ruben Roy (1896), Evelyn (1898), Merton, and Walter Scott (1900). She died 9 Nov 1919. Ethel Nield married Harry Weigert and her husband was a proprietor of a grocery store in Milwaukee. Foster Nield died 26 Mar 1932. Ruben Roy Nield died 11 Jul 1918. Evelyn Nield was living in Milwaukee in 1935 unmarried. Walter Scott Nield died 14 Jun 1921. Merton Nield married Elizabeth Oxendorf and they had two children in Milwaukee.
   5. Evelyn Cross married Charles Eugene Palmer on 15 Jun 1910. She was a member of the Grace Presbyterian church, member of the Eastern Star, Milwaukee chapter 2, Women’s auxiliary of the Shriners hospital, Kenwood shrine no. 9, Ladies social aid, Wisconsin commandery no 1 K. T. Her husband was a Mason and a manager of a gasoline station at 887 Layton Ave., Milwaukee.
   The grandchildren: Eugene Cross married Enid Moran in Ventura, CA. and they had one child; he worked for the Auburn automobile Co.

5. Daniel and Abigail Keltner’s sons--Theodore and Charles Keltner--both fought in the Civil War; Charles died at Chicamauga. He died unmarried. Theodore was wounded probably at Chicamauga, received a distinguished service award, came home and married. Their Civil War history and Theodore’s family history follows.

6. I have not been able to locate May/Maria Keltner beyond the 1870 census. A Mamie L. Keltner (this may be her name) died 2 Feb 1899 in Milwaukee.

7. "THEODORE KELTNER, conductor at the yards of the North Chicago Rolling Mills, Bay View, was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1834. He came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1836, and followed farming in early life in the vicinity of Milwaukee. He then went as a seaman on the lakes and spent seven years in this employment. September 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, First Wisconsin Infantry; served three years. During the latter portion of his service he was aide to Gen. Starkweather. On returning from the army he followed farming a few years in the Town of lake. In 1868 he engaged with the Milwaukee Rolling Mills Company, where he worked one year. He then entered the service of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway as brakeman; was with that company two years; was next engaged in the ice business, and on the opening of the rolling mills at Bay View under the management of the North Chicago Rolling Mills Company he engaged as conductor August 20, 1879. He met with a serious accident caused by his engine jumping the track near the crossing in the yards. He was buried in a pile of coke near the track; had one leg broken and received other serious injuries, which laid him up three months. In the Fall of 1878 he was nearly crushed between a couple of freight cars while coupling. Residence, Kinnickinnic avenue." [from History of Milwaukee, 1881]

   The brave Theodore Keltner married Alice Shelly on 14 Dec 1868; she was 15 years old. Her family is living in the town of Lake in 1860; father William P. age 47, mother Louilla age 33, half-brother William H. age 26, Abraham age 13, Sarah J. age 11, Alice age 7.

   Her brother William H. served in Company D, 1^st Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. He was disabled and never married. In 1900 he is in the National Home For Disabled Soldiers, Milwaukee for severe rheumatism with his occupation given as farmer and his half sister, Mrs. Alice Keltner of Bay View, Milwaukee as his nearest relative.

   In the 1870 census, we find Theodore Keltney (another census mistake) living in the township of Oak Creek, Wisconsin listed as age 34, and working as a laborer. With him are his wife Alice Keltney age 17 and son Halbert age 1. In addition there is Ida Shelly age 10 who is the sister of Alice. They are still living with her parents William Shelly age 57 and his wife Louilla age 44. William Shelly is listed as a farm laborer.

   In the 1879 city Directory Theodore Keltner is listed as a conductor, res.(residing) Superior, Bay view. In the 1882-1884 city directory he is an electrotyper, 292 E. Water r.(resides) Mischell. In the 1885 directory he is an electrotyper r. 129 South Bay. His son (H)Albert Keltner is living with him and he is a bundler at 386 E. Water. In the 1889 Milwaukee city directory Theodore is listed as a brakeman residing at 424 Beulah Avenue and the 1890 city directory listed him as a foreman living at the corner of Wentworth and Northwestern Avenue. In the 1895-1896 directory he is a farmer h. 488 Dover. In the 1900 census we find Theodore and Alice Keltner living in the city of Milwaukee. He is 65 and she is 47. His occupation is laborer and he had been unemployed for 3 months in the previous year. Living with them are their children: Halbert age 21, Frank age 17, William age 12, Hazel age 8. Theodore Keltner was member of the GAR Wolcott Post in 1892.

   Theodore Keltner was declared an invalid on 13 Aug 1888 and given a government pension. He died on 22 Oct 1908 and Alice A. Keltner received a widow’s pension.

   1. Halbert E. Keltner married to Caroline E. Parker on 26 Sep 1900 Milwaukee; and in 1905 Halbert E. Keltner age 35, Caroline age 29, Milton age 3 and Grace age 2 live in Milwaukee. He is a switchman on the R.R. By 1910 they had a third child Ruth A. (1906). His wife died and in 1920 Halbert age 50 is living with Milton age 19, Grace age 18, and Ruth age 13 in Milwaukee. He is a stationary engineer for the railroad co. His son Milton is a locomotive fireman for the steam railroad. In 1930 Halbert is living with his unmarried son Milton; Halbert is an engineer for the electric co. and Milton is an engineer for a steam railroad. Halbert E. Keltner died 25 Apr 1956. His daughter Grace died Mar 1995 in Wisconsin. Milton died Feb 1970 in Chicago (SS number issued through Railroad Board.)

   2. Frank Irving Keltner born June 1, 1879 served in the military enlisting during the Spanish American War on June 3, 1898; he suffered severe gastrointestinal illness and was discharged on June 16. He is married to Albertina ?; and he works as a city fireman; they live at 573 2nd Ave. Milwaukee. He is tall, medium build, brown eyes and brown hair. Frank in 1930 is 50, Albertina is 41, daughter June is 12 and daughter Shirley is 7. He is a fireman for the city. He has $7000 in real estate. He went to the Veterans Home in June 15, 1928 for the gastro intestinal illness. The VA lists his occupation as teamster, age 49, height 5’8” brown eyes and hair, religion Protestant. Date of death after 1930 but before SS.

   3. Charles Theodore Keltner born 14 May 1883 never married. He took care of his mother and his unmarried sister Hazel. He died in 1971.

      The 1917 draft registration card for his son Charles Theodore Keltner records his birth as 14 May 1883 and he is living with his mother Mrs. Alice S. Keltner at 528 ½ Hanover St. Milwaukee; his occupation is clerk in the Steel Co. In 1920 Charles Keltner age 36, his sister Hazel Keltner age 27 and their mother Alice Keltner age 67 are living with their brother Frank Keltner age 40, his wife Tena age 30 and their daughter June age 4 9/12 in Milwaukee, Ward 12. Frank is an engineer of farm equipment and Charles’ occupation cannot be made out as the writing is faded. In 1930 Charles T. Keltner is head of household with his sister (in law?) Lenore F. Thomas age 58 and her daughter Carrol B. Thomas age 16 and sister Hazel V. Keltner, age 34, living with him in Milwaukee 15th Ward. He is a bookkeeper at the Steel Corporation. Lenore is a trimmer at a wholesale millinery as is Hazel.

   4. William T. Keltner was born 6 Mar 1888 in Milwaukee. He died unmarried on 13 Nov 1906 in Milwaukee.

   5. Hazel Keltner born Feb 1892 does not seem to have married and died before 1945 when Social Security was implemented.

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