Edward Friedrich Keebler

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

A twentieth century history and biographical record of La Porte County, Indiana By E. D. Daniels, 1904



EDWARD F KEEBLER of the firm of EF Keebler & Company who make a specialty of Chicago business property situated within the union loop is one of the stanch friends of La Porte and is well remembered there as one of the native born boys who have gone to Chicago and gained a creditable position in business and affairs. Mr Keebler began his career in the fine training school of a railroad office and held some positions of importance before he left the business. Afterward becoming connected with real estate and insurance he rapidly passed from subordinate to independent positions and for ten years has been at the head of one of the largest firms making a specialty of one class of Chicago property.

His parents John C and Anna Wanner Keebler were both natives of Switzerland and emigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago when it was a mere village. Mr John Keebler often relates how he once had an opportunity of acquiring the ground where the Polk street depot now stands in exchange for a team of horses but he could be accused of no lack of foresight in refusing the offer for the location of the town was most uninviting and seemed to have no future prospects at all. For some time he had the contract for sprinkling the streets and was later in the wholesale grocery business. In an early day Mr Keebler came to LaPorte and engaged in the grocery business on Main street which he continued for many years. In later life he sold out and is now living retired at LaPorte at the age of seventy six his wife died in LaPorte in 1890.

Edward F Keebler was born in the city of LaPorte in 1865 and was educated in the LaPorte high school. He then became assistant cashier for the Lake Shore Railroad Company at LaPorte which position he held for three years. He then came to Chicago and was made assistant chief clerk for the in freight department of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. At that time he had the employing of about fifteen clerks and he sent for a number of capable young men of his acquaintance at LaPorte and gave them employment in his department. Mr Keebler was next transferred to the place of abstract clerk for the same company under the agency of AB Brinkerhoff then entered the fire insurance office of AH Darrow on LaSalle street who had an immense business and represented ten of the leading companies, Mr Keebler being bookkeeper and policy clerk for three years. He then became manager of the renting department of WA Merigold & Company who were at that time among the largest real estate operators in Chicago. After two years of experience with this firm he opened a real estate and renting office of his own at 146 LaSalle street where he remained four years was located in the Woman's Temple about three years at 226 LaSalle street for three years and then came to his present location Continental Bank building 218 LaSalle street. Since engaging in business for himself the firm name has been EF Keebler & Company his brother August C who died in 1900 having been a partner in the firm until his death.

Mr Keebler makes a specialty of rents and leases in down town property especially within the loop. He is an expert rent valuator and since entering the business has negotiated leases that approximately aggregate to this time twenty five million dollars in rents. There is probably not a large business establishment down town which has not had dealings with him in negotiating leases. His prominence in real estate circles makes his judgment and opinions of great value and his advice and views in regard to such matters are often quoted in the daily papers. Mr Keebler has a brother Henry J who is connected with the Illinois Casing Company and a sister Nettie who is the wife of AL Buchanan. In 1887 Mr Keebler was married to Miss Wilhelmina Pottgeiser a daughter of the well known capitalist and wealthy real estate owner Gilbert Pottgeiser. One son was born of this union Gilbert Keebler. Mr Keebler is prominent in various ways outside of his business and is a member of several clubs and societies.

Edward married Wilhelmina Catherine Pottgeiser 27 Jun 1886, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Wilhelmina (daughter of Gilbert Pottgeiser and Barbara Ludwig) was born Oct 1865, Illinois; died Abt 11 May 1954. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Gilbert — Frances Canfield. Frances (daughter of Canfield) was born Abt 1895, Illinois; died Abt 15 May 1960. [Group Sheet]