Levi B. Kaler, Merchant, was born in Robeson township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, January 26th, 1828. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Kaler of the same place. His grandfather, Matthias, was a native of Germany and settled in Berks county. He was a Justice of the Peace, and performed the marriage ceremony in the county. He had a family of ten children, John being the only son. Levi B. was educated chiefly in the common schools of his native county, with some additional assistance from his pastor. He attended school during the winter, working on the farm in the summer. In 1847, he went to Phoenixville, at the age of nineteen, and engaged as salesman with William Nyce in the dry-goods and grocery business with whom he remained till 1855, with the exception of an absence of three months passed in the West. In that year, the proprietor retired from the business, which he, in connection with Nathan Wagoner, a fellow clerk, purchased and carried on under the name of Kaler and Wagoner. This association lasted till 1873, when it was dissolved by the death of his partner, the utmost harmony having prevailed in the firm during the eighteen years of its continuance. The business under their management grew rapidly until it became one of the most prosperous in the county, the amount of sales in the wholesale and retail departments at the time of the dissolution, being $80,000 a year. During his residence at Phoenixville he has occupied a prominent position among the citizens, and has filled many important offices of honor and trust in the community. In 1856, he was elected member of the School Board; was re-elected twice and served till 1862. During his term of service all the schools were graded and new houses built; he being very active in the promotion of the same. He was also Treasurer of the Board for over three years. He was elected member of the Town Council, in 1872-73, and was very influential in the successful building and completion of the new Water Works for the borough. He was one of the originators and first directors of the Phoenixville Bank, and one of the corporators of the Morris Cemetery, having acted as Secretary of the same from the ??? of the charter in 1865. He is Treasurer and clerk of the Union Association of Baptist Churches and member of its Board of Trustees, and has been for seven years Superintendent of Sunday-schools. Is President of the Workingmen's Building and Loan Association, and since the death of his partner has been elected Treasurer of the Black Rock Bridge Company. During the Rebellion he Treasurer of the Board of Relief, to which he contributed with his usual liberality. He took a prominent part in the construction of the Masonic Hall; was President of its Board of Managers; has served in all the positions in the lodge up to that of Knight Templar, and has filled for several years by re-election the position of trustee. He is a stockholder and Director (1873) of the Pickering Valley Railroad, and a Director in the Pennsylvania Mutual Insurance Company of Chester county. His firm was the first to introduce gas into Phoenixville. He has also acted as executor and guardian for estates and children. He is an entirely self-made man. He went to Phoenixville with only $1.62; but now, through energy, industry and careful attention to business, is in the enjoyment of a handsome competence. He is one of the most active business men in the county, and is every busy doing good for its own sake. He has always borne the highest character for morality and integrity, and his advice and example are of excellent service to the rising generation. He was married, in September, 1860, to Anne Olive Nyce (now deceased), by whom he has had four children, of whom the last, a daughter, only survives.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 250-251.
Contributed by: Nancy.