Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-08-03
The Late Mrs. Ellen P. Keerl.

The venerable editor of the Hagerstown Mat
copies from the SPrRIT'thc notice of the recent
death of the above named lady, and adds the
following sketch of her family:
The deceased lady was u native of -Hagers-
town. born. if we are not mistaken and reared
to the time of her marriage in the old stone
house opposite st. Johns Lutheran Church.
South Potomac street. now owned by DIR. Jno.
E. Miller and for many wears bv the late
Michael Friesc. She was the youngest daugh-
ter of Robert Douglas. who. carly in the present
century, cmigratcd from Ireland. He was n
man of means and of strong character. intel
ligcnce and education, and an unbcnding CAL
vanist. i'll which faith his family grew up
This family consisted of four daughters and
two sOns-NGncy. Mary, Eliza and Ellen.
never married. and the fourth daughter. when
quite young. married DIR. WIN. Kecrl. of Bal
timOre. the brother of the late Chas. F. Keerl.
of HagcrstOwn. DIR. Kccrl, after graduating
Mt the University of Maryland. had completed
his studies in Paris, and was an accomplished
physician. and soon after was married to the
youngest daughtcr of Mr.. Robert Douglas. at
his residence on Potomac street. Having pur-
chased II farm ut Welsh Run, Franklin county.
Pa. half Il mile from the old Presbyterian
Church. where now stands the KENNEDY Me-
mortal Church-a modern struCture-he united
farming with the practice of his profession.
and passed there. when several children were
born. n considerable portion OF. his useful life.
He sold his farm in Pennsylvania and pur-
chased one equally rich. on the BulIskin. in
Jefferson county. Virginia. where. we believe.
he died. and which was afterwards sold by his
widow. who settled in Charlestown. where.
according to the above announcement, she
breathed her last.
Her sisters first. and her brothers preceded her
to the grave. and like herself were strong char
actors. Samuel Douglas. the oldest son. was
apprenticed to the printing business in the old
office of the ''TOrch Light and Public Advcr-
tisCr." after he had served before the mast. i'll
the merchant service. to which he had been at
taclIcd by his father with Il view of toning down
his too great cXubcrunccs of disposition. AZ
ter finishing his apprenticeship i'll the Torch
Light Office. he went west. engaged in the pub
LEGATION of several newspapers. was n candidate
for Congress in Ohio. removed to Iowa and
there became one of the leading public men of
the State. and one of the most successful bust
ness men. having been chosen judge of one of
the County Courts and ut the same time con-
ncctcd with a banking house. farming. milling
youngest son. received his primary education
noted for his StudiOus habits and proficiency in
the languages. lie subsequently studied law
and engaged in its practice Mt several points i'll
the west. finally establishing himself at Council
Bluffs. Iowa. where he died. being at the time
one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the
State. and the owner of q handsome estate in
that city. Both the III others married. Samuel
we know to have left children a. well as Mrs.
KCcrl. with whom the second generation of the
family became extinct. But few of the old
friends of Mrs. kccrl. in HngerStown. remain.
but with these few her memory is kindly cher
ishcd.