The grandfather of Edward A. Keiner, of Gloversville, was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States, where he settled in New York state and founded a family which has numerous descendants.
(I) John H. Keiner was born in Würtemburg, Germany, in 1799, died in Montgomery county; New York, 1862. He came to the United States in 1829, and settled in Stone Arabia, where he was a prosperous farmer. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, which he served as trustee. He married, in Germany, Hanetta ————, born 1801, died October 11, 1887. Children:
- Henry C., of whom further.
- Fred, married Anna Eichenbodt; children: Fred (2) Andrew and Elizabeth.
- Elizabeth, married William C. Parker.
- Mary, married George Langham; children:
- John, married Rosa Swits;
- William, married Jennie Swits;
- Sarah, married John Swits;
- Matie, married Elmer Putnam;
- Nettie, married Seward Putnam.
- Sophia.
- Maria, married William Abel; children:
- Almira, married David Tremaine;
- Mary, married Albert Kent;
- Nettie, married Eugene Peckham.
- Henrietta, married Philip Hinckel; children:
- Jacob;
- George, married Clara Murdock;
- Edward, married Alice Henry.
- Phoebe, married Lucius Daniels; children: Nettie, Matilda, Frank and Margaret.
(II) Henry C., eldest son of John H. and Hanetta Keiner, was born in Würtemburg, Germany. He was educated in the public school and grew up on the farm. He remained with his parents until his marriage, and then engaged in farming for himself. He became one of the prosperous men of his town and bore a high reputation for piety and good citizenship. He was a trustee of the Evangelical Lutheran church and in a quiet way did a great deal of good. He married Anna M. Gardner. Children:
- William H., born January 9, 1864; was engaged in farming, as clerk in a grocery store, as wholesale and retail meat dealer, now engaged in heavy and light trucking business in Johnstown, New York. He married Hattie Abel; children:
- Everett, born February 26, 1899;
- Gladys, born November 29, 1902;
- Margery, born July 26, 1905.
- Harvey, born February 17, 1870, married Laura Getman; child,
- Kenneth, married Carrie Sauer;
- Hattie, married William H. Keiner;
- Charles, born January 11, 1874, married Cora Sitterly;
- Carrie, born December 27, 1876, died January 24, 1898;
- Alice, born December 12, 1878, died March 12, 1880;
- Stella, born February 8, 1882, married Raymond La Grange; children: Raymond and Beatrice.
- Edward A., of whom further.
- Martha, born March 18, 1878.
- Elmer, born 1880.
(III) Edward A., son of Henry C. and Anna M. (Gardner) Keiner, was born in Palatine, Montgomery county, New York, July 23, 1867. He was educated in the public school.. After completing his studies he worked in an undertaking establishment. Deciding to follow that business he entered the New York College of Embalming, graduating February 24, 1891. Until 1896 he had traveled as salesman for undertaker's supplies. In September, 1896, he began business in Gloversville, where he is now firmly established. He is a member of the leading fraternal and social orders, societies and clubs of the city; Gloversville Lodge, No. 429, Free and Accepted Masons; Johnstown Chapter, No. 78, Royal Arch Masons Johnstown Council, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Cross Commandery, Knights Templar; Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Lodge No 226, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Lodge No. 175, Improved Order of Red Men; Silver Cross, Knights of Pythias; Lodge No. 228, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 8193, Order of Foresters; Lodge No. 3901, Fraternal Order of Eagles; The Eccentric Club. He is a member of the New York State Funeral Director's Association. He was trustee of the Presbyterian church. He married, June 27, 1893, Sarah A. Heritage Pratt, born June 27, 1868, daughter of William and Sarah A. (Heritage) Pratt. She was the eldest of their five children; the others were:
- Grace Elder, born December 21, 1870;
- Lucinda Pearl, November 20, 1872;
- Maud H., October 14, 1876, married Robert Atkins;
- William P., January 7, 1880, married Charlotte Frye.
Edward A. and Sarah A. H. Keiner have a son, Edward Pratt, born January 14, 1904.
George Passage, great-great-grandfather of Sarah A. H. (Pratt) Keiner, enlisted in revolutionary war in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and came to New York state where he was lieutenant in Captain Du Bois's company, Colonel Willett's regiment. Through this ancestor Mrs. Keiner received her membership in General Richard Montgomery Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Gloversville, New York.