Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Keller (Matthew) Papers and Addenda
mssKellerm
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Matthew Keller papers and addenda
Creator:
Keller, Matthew, 1810-1881.
Identifier/Call Number: mssKellerm
Physical Description:
5.5 Linear Feet
(6 boxes, 1 volume, 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1851-1961
Date (bulk): 1851-1880
Abstract: This collection contains papers related to the life and business interests of Los Angeles pioneer businessman and ranch owner
Matthew Keller (1810-1881). Subject matter in the collection includes Los Angeles from 1851-1880, particularly reflected in
deeds and land papers for the Los Angeles area (a few relate to petroleum development) and the wine industry. There are also
photographs of the Los Angeles area at the turn of the century and biographical information on Matthew Keller and Henry Workman
Keller.
Language of Material: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Matthew Keller Papers and Addenda, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Gift of Mrs. S. Bartley Cannell, Jr., granddaughter of Matthew Keller, February 26, 1976.
Addenda gift of Adelaine Mattox, November 2012.
Matthew Keller (1810-1881) was a Los Angeles pioneer businessman, vintner, and ranch owner who was born in Queenstown, County
Cork, Ireland, in 1810. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1832 came to New York. He moved to Texas in the
mid-1830s then spent the next twelve to fifteen years in Mexico. While in Guadalajara he met Andrew A. Boyle (who later was
to become owner of the Los Angeles property developed by his son-in-law William H. Workman, Jr., into Boyle Heights). Keller
and Boyle returned to the United States and later the two married sisters. Upon his return to the States, Keller went first
to New Orleans, then in 1849, to San Francisco. He finally settled in Los Angeles in 1851, opening a general merchandise store
at the corner of Los Angeles and Commercial streets. He purchased property on Alameda and Aliso, where the Union Station is
now located. There he built his home, planted fruit trees and vineyards. In 1852 he established his winery and brandy still,
to be known as the Rising Sun and Los Angeles Vineyards winery. He had warehouses in San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia.
In addition, he experimented with various agricultural crops--fruit trees, castor oil plants, hops, and cotton.
Keller was active in public affairs--he was Public Administrator for Los Angeles County from 1854 to 1858, on the Board of
Supervisors from 1864 to 1867, served on the Los Angeles City Council, was a member of the Los Angeles Rangers, the Vigilance
Committee, and the Pioneer Fire Department. He was one of the original directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and of
the Pioneer Oil Company. He became owner of many pieces of property in Los Angeles and of the 13,000 acre Rancho Malibu, whose
title was finally confirmed to him in 1864 after much litigation regarding its clouded title. Keller did not develop this
land; during his lifetime it was leased to cattle ranchers. Later the property was sold to Frederick H. Rindge.
At the time of his death in 1881, Matthew Keller was survived by three children: Caroline E. (Keller) [Shafer], Alice (Keller)
[Shafer], and Henry Workman Keller. Henry was in France attending school when his father passed away. He was then, at the
age of 13, made a ward of Isaias W. Hellman, founder of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. As an adult, Henry became a director
(and later president) of the Automobile Club of Southern California. He was honored for his part in working with the Mexican
officials for the planning of the West Coast Highway of Mexico running from Nogales to Mexico City. He was also a financier,
active in real estate and in various companies. There is a large collection of his papers in the Library (q.v.). Since there
are papers pertaining to Matthew Keller in the Henry W. Keller Collection and also material relating to Henry W. Keller in
the Matthew Keller Collection, both collections should be consulted in studying either person.
Note: The spelling "Matthew" has been adopted for this collection since most reference works use that form. His grandson
John Mathew Keller entitles his biographical sketch "Mathew Keller", so the family may have preferred the spelling with single
"t". Keller himself used either the signature "M. Keller" or the Spanish form "Mateo".
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
- Henry Workman Keller Papers, mssKeller, Henry papers
The collection consists of letters, manuscripts (including 4 diaries and 3 notebooks), documents and photographs related to
the life and business interests of Matthew Keller. Subject matter in the collection includes Los Angeles from 1851-1880, particularly
reflected in deeds and land papers for the Los Angeles area (a few relate to petroleum development) and the wine industry.
There are also photographs of the Los Angeles area at the turn of the century and biographical information on Matthew Keller
and Henry Workman Keller.
Persons represented by 6 pieces or more (not including accounts and receipts):
- Hellman, Isaias William a. 14 pieces (1877-1879)
- Keller, Henry Workman. 19 pieces (1892-1957)
- Keller, Matthew. 22 pieces (1859-1880)
In addition, there are also single pieces for Pío Pico and James De Barth Shorb.
Notable items include:
- Box 1 (57) - Judson, Gillette & Gibson (firm). Abstract of title to land on Alameda St. known as the Los Angeles Vineyard (with map made by George Hansen and Alfred Solano). 1880, July 21
- Box 2 (8) - Keller, Henry Workman. To Standish L. Mitchell. 1936, Oct. 17. (Letter written while Keller was in Mexico working on plans for the West Coast Highway from the U.S. border to Mexico City-see also his diary kept while in Mexico in 1936 in Box 4 (6)
- Box 4 (2) - Keller, Frederick. Speech re Matthew Keller, Henry Workman Keller, and the Malibu Ranch. 1960?
- Box 4 (3) - Keller, Henry Workman. The Amateur in Los Angeles. Before 1900 (This contains 15 photographs of the Los Angeles area)
- Box 4 (10) - Keller, John Mathew. Mathew Keller: biographical sketch. 1959, Sep. 23
- Box 4 (11 & 12) - Keller, Matthew. Diaries. 1874, 1878-1879
- Oversize roll - Color photograph of Matthew Keller's wine labels
Organized in 5 series: 1. Correspondence and business papers; 2. Manuscripts; 3. Photographs, clippings, ephemera; 4. Oversize
materials; 5. Addenda.
Former call number: mssKeller, Matthew papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Frontier and pioneer life -- California -- Los Angeles
Petroleum -- California
Real property -- California -- Los Angeles
Vintners -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives
Wineries -- California, Southern -- History -- 19th century
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Deeds -- California, Southern
Letters (correspondence) -- California, Southern
Photographs -- California, Southern
Hellman, Isaias W. (Isaias William), 1842-1920
Keller, Henry Workman, 1869-1958
Pico, Pío, 1801-1894
Shorb, James De Barth.
Rising Sun and Los Angeles Vineyards winery.