Levi B. Kaler

Levi B. Kaler
Born	Template:Birth date Robeson Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	September 1, 1906(1906-09-01) (aged 78) Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1847–1906
Known for	Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1885–1886); President of Phoenixville National Bank; Director of Pickering Valley Railroad Company; President of Phoenix Creamery Association

Levi B. Kaler (January 26, 1828 – September 1, 1906) was a Pennsylvania-based businessman and political figure. He represented Chester County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1885 until 1886.

Early life

Born on January 26, 1828, in Robeson Township, Pennsylvania, Levi B. Kaler was the son of John Kaler, a farmer and church officer, and Elizabeth (née Umstead). His grandfather Matthias Kaler, who emigrated from Germany, participated in the Revolutionary War and later served as a justice of the peace in Berks County. Raised in Berks County, Kaler spent his youth working on the family farm and received his education through local common schools as well as private tutoring from Reverend Henry Miller.

Career

At age 19, Kaler embarked on his career as a salesman for William Nyce’s dry goods and grocery business in Phoenixville. After seven years, when Nyce retired, Kaler partnered with clerk Kevin Wagoner to purchase the store, renaming it Kaler & Wagoner. Their establishment was notably the first in Phoenixville to implement gas lighting. He was a member of the Phoenixville school board between 1856 and 1862. In 1866, he joined the management board of Morris Cemetery and took on the role of secretary. Kaler also played a key role in building the Masonic Hall in Phoenixville and served as president of its board.

During his tenure on Phoenixville’s council from 1872 to 1873, he championed the development of the town’s water works system. In 1874, he held the position of chief burgess. Originally affiliated with the Whigs, he aligned with the Republicans after the Whig Party dissolved. His political career included representing Chester County in the state House of Representatives from 1885 to 1886.

Kaler held leadership positions at Phoenixville National Bank, advancing from director to president. He also served over a decade as director of the Pickering Valley Railroad Company and was a director at Philadelphia’s Fidelity Mutual Life Association. Furthermore, he presided over the Phoenix Creamery Association.

In his religious commitments, Kaler was deeply involved with Phoenixville’s First Baptist Church for more than fifty years, fulfilling roles such as deacon, treasurer, and Sunday school superintendent. Beyond this, he acted as clerk and treasurer for over twenty years for the Central Union Association of Baptist Churches. His business ventures extended to interests in Phoenixville’s Wire Picket Fence Company.

Starting in 1883, Kaler invested in Florida real estate and by 1893 had acquired substantial holdings of orange groves there.

Personal life

On September 17, 1860, Kaler married Anne Oliver Nyce; they had four children together, including Annie E. N. Nyce. Following Anne’s passing in 1869, he remarried on July 16, 1874, to Anne S. White, daughter of Samuel White from Phoenixville.

Levi B. Kaler passed away due to heart disease on September 1, 1906, in Phoenixville and was laid to rest at Morris Cemetery in that locality.