History of Keller Row

After the house was purchased and some renovation had begun it was time to find out the history!  I began by stopping in at the local community council and talking with a few people to see what they knew.  There was some information complied on the houses but not a ton so it came upon me to figure it out. All I knew was that a wealthy family had built the 8 houses on the block at the same time.  3 of them were the turret design like mine and the other 5 were in a more simple but no less grand style.  

I started off by first going to pull the original building permit for the house. Turns out there was only 1 building permit pulled for the 8 houses to be built.  The original building permit was filed on May 31st 1889. One permit was submitted for the 8 detached dwellings at a cost of $5000.00 to build each. The memoranda on the permit reads “Commenced work on the foundations May 31st on the frames 10th June & finished all the dwellings about September 26th.” The foundations were built of Limestone blocks, earth and concrete. The rest of the dwelling is built of wood.  Can you believe that it only took 4 months to build these houses? What an incredible feat!  Imagine all the early German immigrants it must have took to build these houses in such a short time and a small sum for that matter!

 In 1889 Annice E. Keller had the eight homes, now known as Keller row, built on the East 6th street side of their property. The reason why is unknown, but speculating that it was an investment might not be that far off as there was a housing boom of large middle class homes being built in the area. Another possibility is that she built the eight houses for her eight children. The architect chosen to design the homes was Edwin S. Radcliffe who is listed as having his office at the Mannheimer Building in St. Paul. Not much is known about Radcliffe. He was the son of one of the great builders of St. Paul Abraham Radcliffe who designed a number of notable buildings still standing. This was one of Radcliffe's last commission in the city before he moved to Duluth to practice there. One of his prominent houses in Duluth is entitled the Marcus and Sarah Fay house commissioned in 1902 at 2105 East Superior Street. The builders of the row homes is listed as a E. Sephton and Company at 582 Jackson street in St. Paul. It is also said that Annice Keller herself resided briefly at the address when it was first completed.

One of John's and Annice's children, Herbert P. Keller (B. February 7th 1861) was the first mayor of St. Paul to be born in the city. He is listed as living with his brother Charles E. Keller at 771 6th street in 1910, became mayor of St. Paul from 1910 to 1914. Keller Lake and Golf course are named for him. 

So I now had a good deal of information.  I threw up a page on Placeography which I LOVE!!!! You should check it out.  I also did a little research at the Minnesota Historical Society and lone behold I found a very interesting photograph:

This is the family lumber company and where all the lumber that built these beautiful houses came from!  So cool!!! 

The Keller family resided behind the houses in a gracious mansion that has since been torn down, however here is an etching of it:

Too bad it's gone.......

Mansion in 1910. Photo found by Jim Sazevich

.1891 Insurance Map showing Keller Row 

mM

So I had a good deal of info, but still wanted a little more so I wanted to know WHO lived in this house.  I check the city directories for the time and the first family that occupied the place was the Schlenks.  From 1890 to 1896 it listed Mrs. Anna Schlenk (Hospes & Dr (daughter Eliza A Schlenk). and Hugo Schlenk 11.4.1862-12-27-1963 private secretary for Albert Scheffer who resided at 267 Maria St from 1906 onward., however it is possible (as listed in the MNHS photo database) that Albert Scheffer lived at 621 east 5th street in 1885 and then in 1886-1904 at 52 Bates Ave/ (now 908 Mounds) ., and was the president of the St. Paul German Insurance Company in 1890 Schlenk reminiscences in the forest history society ’An inventory of interviews of Pioneer lumbermen’ in the MNHS archives, who was born in Stillwater, Minnesota, and was, in his early life, employed by the St. Croix Boom Corporation, the Albert Scheffer banking concern, and finally, in 1903, by the Weyerhaeuser interests. Mr. Schlenk was put in charge of the Weyerhaeuser company in Cloquet in 1906. Information is given on the Northern Lumber Company of Cloquet; the Cloquet fire of 1918; and early Stillwater and its sawmills In the 1870 census Hugo is listed attending school. His father Joseph was a Merchant Sailor. By 1908 Anna had moved to 955 Portland Ave and in 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Schlenk to 961 Portland. It is possible that Hugo Schlenk was married in Jan 28 1896 to Agnes Schiermann. They then had Hugo M Schlenk Jr in or about 1897 - 9-9-1960 married to Gretchen and John J Schlenk in or about 1900 and Katherine Schlenk in or about 1902. Hugo then moved to Cloquet in 1906 where Hugo was an office manager for the Northern Lumber Company . Hugo M , Married Gretchen. With two children Gretchen age 4 and Joanne age 3 Hugo and Hugo Jr died in Carlton County. 

duplexed by 1920.  The only family that stayed a little bit was from 1930 to 1934. The city directory indicates that Harry G. Lieberg, Morris D. Humphreys, (1940) Sr., his wife, Isabel Humphreys, and Morris D. Humphreys, Jr., a helper employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RailRoad, resided at this address The 1930 census states that Harry Lieberg (Renter) and his wife Lilly. Morris Humphreys (father) Belle (Mom), Morris Jr (brother), Lee (brother) and Rhys (brother). The Humphreys only remain until 1934.

Then from 1934 to to 1953 I found a Cornelius M Ronayne who resided at the home.

From 1937 to 1953 I found a  Albert O and Helen Kittleson living in the home.  

This is where the trail has gone a bit cold. Wish I could locate a photo of the row very early on but I have not been able to. The hunt shall continue. 

Here is a photo line up of the 8 houses taken around 2007.  The other corner turret home has had the siding removed and a paint job applied to it but was no means a renovation.  A nice improvement but needs more.  This property was occupied by Gebhard Bohn and his wife early on. They only lived there for a short time before moving to 376 Bates. Bohn later evolved into Whirlpool.

One of the others with the turret removed

This one has the porch open now and is slightly better

Painted up like a 130 year old Jezebel . but needs botox and major renovation ....

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