The Kelsey family was originally from Germany, and first settled in what is now Montgomery Co, and subsequently in Chester. Conrad Keeley, son of the emigrant, married Margaret Laugbaugh, an estimable and intelligent lady. Their son John married Rebecca Chrisman, an active business woman and greatly interested in the cause of temperance, in which she was an early pioneer. Their eldest son and 2nd child was Daniel Keley, b 9-8-1824, in the house where he now resides and on the farm where his ancestors settled. His father, John, who built this house in 1819, and the barn in 1820, died in 1853, and his wife in 1875. Daniel was reared on the homestead place, where he has ever lived, and in its neighborhood was educated at the common schools. He was married 1-1-1850, to Catharine B., dau of Benjamin and Mary Benner Hartman, of East Pikeland twp. From this union have been born 6 children, all living viz; Mary R, married to O.M. Philips of East Nantmeal; Clara V. married to A.M.F. Stitcler, of West Vincent; Esther M married to S.W. Todd; ;Maggie May, ma to Charles K Knight of Poughkeepsie, NY; John B; and Francis Marion. He belongs, with his family, to Windsor Baptist Church; He served for 16 years as a school director, and repeatedly in other twp positions of trust and honor. He has always taken great interest in politics, and is a democrat in his views. He spent 2 winters on the Christian Commission in according to the spiritual and temporal wants of the U soldiers in VA in the war of the Rebellion, and his services proved of great benefit. He is farmer, but pays special attention to dairying, and has now commenced the culture of tobacco on his farm of 150 acres.
He has been a member of the
Ind. Order of Odd-Fellows for 25 years and is at present a member of the
Pilgrim Lodge, # 455 of Lionville. He is also connected with the Patrons
of Husbandry, Grand Lodge # 53, at Edgefield. He has ever been
a consistent temperance man, an manifested a deep interest in this reformatory
cause. Has been a director in the Phoenixville National Bank, and is now
one in the Pickering Valley RR,. His grandfather and great grandfather
were ardent patriots in the Rev. War, and warmly espoused the side of the
struggling colonies, and with their spirit and love of country he is in full
unison and accord.