A Daughter of Seneca County Pioneers
Who would have thought that those hands that learned to play so gracefully “The Golliwog’s Cakewalk” and Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata could also take the reins and command a team of draft horses when the haying needed to be done. Harriet Keller Gibson is that surprising combination of strength and artist at the keyboard.
She is a descendent of John and Elizabeth Keller, who as one of the first pioneers in Seneca County, came to Ohio from York, Pennsylvania in 1821. At the government land office in Delaware, Ohio, he was able to buy l96 acres of valuable land for $l.25 an acre. The deed for the land was signed by President James Monroe. Throughout the history of the family, three loves continued from one generation to the next: devotion to the land, love of learning, and love and support for their church.
The Keller farm is located about two and a half miles north of Tiffin on River and Center roads just beyond the Developmental Center. Before he brought his family and built a house, John Keller planted l00 apple trees only to return the next year and find that the trees had been stolen. A year later he planted another l00 trees and built a log cabin. At the time John Keller and his wife settled on the farm, there were only two or three houses in the area on the Sandusky River that became known as Fort Ball.
He and his family of seven children had frequent contact with the Mohawk Indians. They were eager to taste white man’s food, and shared many meals with the Keller family. Elizabeth Keller was able to bake bread in a large pot placed inside of a large Dutch oven on three legs. This was placed in the hearth of the fireplace where all the cooking was done. Even today, arrow heads can be found when plowing is done.
As was true of many farmers of that time, John Keller was not idle after the crops had been harvested. He harnessed the power of the Sandusky River to run a sawmill. First, he blasted a race out of rock along the river nearly a half mile in length. Then, in l838, he built a wing dam, paying Josiah Hedges $600 to use his land on the west side of the river. This forced the water into the mill race which also furnished power to the mill known today as the Pioneer Mill.
In l837 John Keller built a two story brick house. The bricks were made from clay that was found on the farm. This house has been remodeled and enlarged but it is still standing. However, the ninety foot porch which surrounded it has been removed. A large stone marks the place where the original log cabin stood.
Lewis Keller, the second son of John Keller, continued to live at the farm and raised a family of seven children. His youngest brother, Joel, also stayed in Seneca County and was a skilled blacksmith. Lewis Keller’s son John married Alice Baker in l872 and his eldest son, Leonard Baker Keller married Ollie Holtz in l905. They had four children, John Keller, who became a historian, Florence Keller Calvert Lynch, Harriet Keller Gibson, and Wayne Keller, who stayed on the farm. Of the four, only John is deceased.
Harriet’s grandfather and grandmother, her father and mother, and Aunt Sarah were charter members of Grace Reformed Church and were substantial contributors to the building that was built in l882 and then torn down when the present Trinity United Church was built. When Trinity was built in l928, Aunt Sarah contributed the money to buy the large stained glass window at the front of the church.
Harriet’s mother, Ollie, was a graduate of Heidelberg College and both parents were eager for their daughters to play the piano. Harriet remembers that at the age of seven when she started, she was frightened of her teacher and did not understand what the word perpendicular meant when she was constantly reminded to hold her fingers perpendicular to the keyboard. She credits her second teacher, Carrie Briesmeister, who taught her for five years for fostering her love of the piano.
Or perhaps it was her teacher from the age of l6 on, who set her destiny as a student and teacher of piano. That was Henry Gibson, who had come to teach at Heidelberg from Kansas in l931. They were married in 1941. Henry kids Harriet, saying, “She had to marry me or she wouldn’t have gotten an “A”. Harriet graduated from Heidelberg in l937
Henry was 35 when he was drafted into the army in l943. Harriet remembers that year as the hardest year of her life. She took over the teaching of half of Henry’s pupils. She taught from 12:30 until 5 every day. Julie was just a baby and six college girls shared the house, living upstairs. Fortunately, an older woman took care of Julie while Harriet worked.
On the other side of the world, Henry was stationed in England where he played the piano for the troops. An English woman living nearby allowed him to practice on her piano. He also accompanied a singer, Lester Fergeson in London.
After the war, Henry resumed his duties at Heidelberg and Harriet continued to teach there part time. Their second daughter Emily was born in l947. Harriet resumed part time teaching at Heidelberg after a couple of years.
Harriet and Henry have continued through the years to be faithful members of Trinity United Church of Christ, serving as organist, council member, and committee members. In retirement, they have stayed active professionally, often playing duets. Henry accompanied performances of the operas at the Ritz as recently as four years ago. Harriet continues to help friends celebrate birthdays with parties. She also swims at the “Y” several times a week.
We feel honored to count them as our friends.
– Mary