George Willis Keeler, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Cheshire, was born in the town of Cheshire, April 6, 1861, his parents being George and Sarah (Ells) Keeler. The father was born in Ridgefield in 1831 and the mother passed away in Norwalk, Connecti-cut, in 1915, when seventy-four years of age. In young manhood he removed to Cheshire, where he took up his abode in 1860. The following year, in response to the country's call for troops, he enlisted at Cheshire as a member of Company A, Twentieth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw active service throughout the remainder of the war. He then returned home with a most creditable military record, having bravely faced the enemy on many a southern battlefield, while without complaint he participated in the long, hard marches and the strenuous campaigns. Returning to Cheshire, he entered the hardware and plumbing business, in which he engaged until eventually he turned his attention to the undertaking business, continuing in the latter line for thirty years. He is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. For about forty years he has been a deacon in the Congregational church and his life has at all times been guided by its teachings. He has never been active as an office holder but has given his support to the repub-lican party and has been active in upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
     George W. Keeler was the eldest in a family of three children, the others being Edwin J. and Mary Lanyon. He pursued his education in the famous Cheshire Academy at Salem, New Jersey, and also in the Colgate Institute. On attaining his majority he began business with his father in the plumbing shop and continued active in that line for about twelve years. In 1887 he turned his attention to the undertaking business, in which he has since been engaged, having now one of the oldest undertaking establishments in Cheshire, in which con-nection a liberal patronage is accorded him. He deals in real estate in a general way and has promoted some important realty transfers.
     In 1888 Mr. Keeler was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Gilless, of Cheshire, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilless, who were natives of England. The father came to the United States as a young man and settled in Cheshire, where for many years he was employed as an engineer and for a considerable period was also identified with the Ivy Button Company. He was of a retired disposition and a Methodist in religious faith.
     In politics Mr. Keeler has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For twenty-five consecutive years he was tax collector, a fact which indi-cates the faithfulness and capability with which he discharged the duties of the position. He has also been a member of the school board for six years and in 1901 he was chosen to represent his district in the general assembly and in 1911 was again elected to that office. He has been very prominent in the political circles of the town and does all in his power to promote the growth and ensure the success of the principles in which he so strongly believes. He is prominent in the local ranks of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for twenty years, from 1897 until 1917, served as treasurer of L. A. Thomas Lodge, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., to Trumbull Camp of the Sons of Veterans at Southington, in which he has been camp counsel, and in the Odd Fellows lodge he has filled all of the offices. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is a man of retiring disposition and of genuine worth and enjoys the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated. He has made an excellent record in every relation of life and enjoys in marked measure the friendship of those who know him.