Born in Virginia on October 22, 1823, Robert Vance Keller was listed in the 1860 U.S. Census as a farmer in Neosho, Newton County, Missouri.

According to the Goodspeed history of Newton County, published in 1888, Keller was part of the “first war trouble” in the county, when, on March 14, 1862, he took part in a skirmish between Unionist and secessionist forces in Neosho, then helped Unionist families flee from Neosho to Mount Vernon.

On July 8, 1862, he joined Company L of the 8th Missouri Cavalry in Neosho, Missouri, and was mustered into service as captain of the company on September 15, 1862.

In July 1864, Keller submitted his resignation from the army, and the 8th’s assistant surgeon testified that Keller suffered from “chronic inflammation of the kidneys” was “constantly distressed with pains in the lumbar region,” and that horseback riding aggravated his symptoms.

The 8th Missouri Cavalry fought in the Battle of Prairie Grove, the Little Rock campaign, and the 1864 operations against General Joseph Shelby north of the Arkansas River.

Keller died on April 3, 1868, and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Neosho, Missouri.

Carte-de-Visite by Mansfield’s City Gallery, St. Louis.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11998