Rudolph Keppler

Rudolph Keppler (February 27, 1845 – June 4, 1923) was a German-American banker who served as president of the New York Stock Exchange.

Rudolph Keppler
Keppler from The Stock Exchange in Caricature (1904)
President of the New York Stock Exchange
In office
1898–1903
Preceded byFrancis L. Eames
Succeeded byRansom H. Thomas
Personal details
Born(1845-02-27)February 27, 1845[1]
Konstanz, Grand Duchy of Baden[1]
DiedJune 4, 1923(1923-06-04) (aged 78)[1]
New York City, U.S.
Spouse
Elise Augusta Gramm[2]
​
​
(m. 1868; died 1917)​
ChildrenEmil Alexander Carl Keppler[3]

Early life

Keppler was born in Konstanz, Grand Duchy of Baden on February 27, 1845.[1] He was a son of Carl Friedrich Keppler and the former Anna Maria Zogelmann.[4] He came to New York City in the 1850s as a boy,[1] and was educated in New York.[4]

Career

A banker for many years, he was head of the firm of Keppler & Co. until his retirement in 1914, at which time his son took over the business.[1] The firm was later bought and renamed Hellwig & Reutter.[5]

In 1875, he joined the New York Stock Exchange and remained a member for forty-four years. He served as president of the Exchange for five years from 1898 through 1902.[6] While he was president of the Exchange, much of his time was devoted to the supervising the construction of the building at 11 Wall Street. When President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901 in Buffalo during the Pan-American Exposition, "it was said that Mr. Keppler's conservative judgment and the trust in which he was held by Wall Street were important factors in preventing a panic and allaying nervous fears."[1] In 1913, he was questioned by Samuel Untermyer during the so-called Pujo Money Trust Investigation.[7]

Keppler was succeeded in the presidency by Ransom H. Thomas.[8] Upon his retirement from business in 1914, Keppler resigned from the board of governors of the Exchange, on which he had served for thirty-two years, and was succeeded by Arthur Turnbull.[9]

Personal life

In 1868, Keppler was married to Elise Augusta Gramm (1847–1917),[2] a daughter of Ferdinand Gramm and Emilie (née Lubke) Gramm. Together, they were the parents of:

  • Emil Alexander Carl Keppler (1872–1942), who succeeded his father as senior member of Keppler & Co.[3]

Keppler died at his home, 11 West 84th Street in Manhattan, on June 4, 1923.[1] He was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. In his will, Keppler left a total of $85,000 to seven hospitals and welfare institutions. His son Emil received $250,000 cash, his country home at Twin Lakes, Connecticut, and his personal effects which were valued at $30,000.[10]

References
  1. "RUDOLPH KEPPLER DIES IN 81ST YEAR. For 44 Years He Was Stock Ex-change Member and for Five Years Its President" (PDF). The New York Times. 6 June 1923. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  2. "Died" (PDF). The New York Times. 22 May 1917. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  3. "EMIL A. C. KEPPLER, RETIRED BROKER, 70; Former Partner in Firm Here, Son of Ex-Head of Exchange" (PDF). The New York Times. 22 May 1942. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  4. Leonard, John William; Mohr, William Frederick; Holmes, Frank R.; Knox, Herman Warren; Downs, Herman Warren (1907). Who's Who in New York City and State. L.R. Hamersly Company. p. 776. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  5. Charles P. McConnell--By Plff. --Cross. New York Supreme Court. p. 154. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  6. Anderson, John Piter (1905). Angelic Wisdom Concerning the Opening of the First of the Seven Seals and the Constitution and Marriage Statutes of the Most Ancient Appagejans 650,000 Years Ago. Statesman Publishing Company. p. 629. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  7. Currency, United States Congress House Committee on Banking and (1913). Money Trust Investigation: Investigation of Financial and Monetary Conditions in the United States Under House Resolutions Nos. 429 and 504. U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. "STOCK EXCHANGE OFFICERS.; R.H. Thomas Named to Succeed President Keppler, Who Has Served Three Terms" (PDF). The New York Times. 31 March 1903. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  9. "GOVERNORS PICK TURNBULL.; Stock Exchange Board Elects Successor to Keppler" (PDF). The New York Times. 29 October 1914. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  10. "LEFT $85,000 TO CHARITIES. Accounting of Rudolph Keppler's Estate Shows $118,963 Balance" (PDF). The New York Times. 6 February 1925. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
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