Residence: Suamca

Race or Tribe:  Austriaco (Austrian)

Notes:  Father Keller was born in Olomouc, Moravia on 11 November 1702.  He was tall and fair with a scar on his lip.  He was very strong willed but got along well with everyone.  He became a Jesuit on 17 October, 1717.  He came to America with the "Mission of 1730."  He left Mexico City in mid-June, 1731, for the Pimeria Alta. He first went to Suamca on April 20, 1732.  While at Suamca, the only mission he served regularly, he professed his final vows in 1732. When Father Stiger went to San Ignacio and Segesser left Guevavi, the entire Pimeria fell to Keller. He kept Christianity alive at vacant Guevavi until Rapicani came on July 1, 1737.  In 1744, he again bore the burden of three missions - Bac, Suamca, and Guevavi.  He was implicated in the uprising of 1751 but defended himself in Mexico City and was sent back to Suamca.  The Indians wanted him back there.  During 1753, Keller filled in for Father Pauer, looking after three missions and two presidios.  Sometime after mid-August, 1759, he died while confessing a dying Pima.