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FIFTH GENERATION

16. Jacob S. Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾ was born in Dec 1818 in Bern, Pa. He died on 1 Nov 1896 in Reading, Pa. He was buried on 7 Nov 1896 in Reading, Pa (Alsace Cemetery).

1850 US Census
Age 31 male white
Occupation none

1860 US Census
Age 41 male white
Occupation laborer
Value personal property - $60

Jacob Keffer died at 12:50 a.m., Monday at his residence, 1539 North 9th in his 78th year. On Friday morning when he attempted to rise from bed, he found that he was unable to move, his whole left side being paralyzed. Ever since Saturday he was unable to speak. Deceased was born in Bern and came to Reading in 1855. He was employed as a laborer about the city, but has lived a retired life the past 6 years. He was a member of the Reformed congregation of Alsace. His widow, Mary; 4 sons, William S. and Peter .S of Reading; Jonathan, Cambria County; Henry, of Leesport; 3 daughters, Mrs. Catherine Dumn, Mrs. Mary Wummer and Amelia survive, besides 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Death Certificate
Male Age 78 Married
1539 N 9th Berks Co Nov 1 Apoplexy

This is the first indication of the switch from Catholic to Protestant.
It may also explain the uncharacteristic lapse in the records at St Paul's Catholic Church of Bally, Pa., which does not have any record of Jacob.

Records of Rev Aaron Leinbach for Alsace Cemetery
Where Jacob and Mary Ann Keffer and daughter Emma are buried in the Potter's field (the poor man's) section of Alsace Cemetery in Muhlenburg Township, all without tombstones.

Two supporting pieces of evidence that Jacob S. is indeed the son of John Louis Keffer:

1) Will of John Louis Keffer lists Jacob Keffer as a son along with the other children of John Louis Keffer. Additional verification are the married names of Jacob Keffer's sisters as listed in the will and descendent information from Mrs. Evaleen (Keffer) Futch of Phoenix, Arizona (also descended from John Louis Keffer) which matches up identically with the married names of the sister's of Jacob Keffer.

2) Death certificate of John Louis Keffer from the Division of Archives & Manuscripts, Harrisburg, Pa which lists Jacob Keffer as one of his sons.
He was married to Mary Ann Spies on 23 Aug 1840 in Reading, Pa.

Reading Adler(newspaper) September 1, 1840

Married by Rev William Pauli on Aug 23, 1840 at Alsace

17. Mary Ann Spies⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in Feb 1820 in Alsace Township, Pa. She died on 12 Mar 1908 in Reading, Pa. She was buried on 14 Mar 1908 in Reading, Pa (Alsace Cemetery).

OLDEST MEMBER OF GRACE REFORMED DIES

Was Confirmed in Alsace Church More Than Three Score and Ten Years Ago
Mrs Mary Ann Keffer has 53 Descendants

The oldest member of Grace (Alsace) Reformed Church in Muhlenberg Township, Mrs Mary Ann Keffer (nee Spies) , widow of Jacob Keffer , died of appolexy late Wednesday afternoon, at her home, 1539 North Ninth street, in the 88th year of her age. Deceased suffered several strokes in the past few months and was bedfast four weeks. She lingered for almost a fortnight. Mrs Keffer, who was a daughter of the long-deceased William and Hannah Spies, was born and raised in Alsace township, but resided in this city for many years.
More than three score and ten years ago, when a girl of 15 years of age, she was confirmed in Alsace Church by Rev. Sassaman Herman. In all these years she held membership in the Reformed congregation of that church, and for some months has been the oldest member. She has not attended services during the last year, as failing health compelled her to remain indoors even on the niciest Sundays. Several years ago it was no uncommon thing for Mrs Keffer to take her hymn book under her arm and walk all the way to her chosen house of worship.
She was the oldest and last of a large family of children. These children survive: William and Peter Keffer, this city: Henry Keffer, of Leesport: Mrs Catherine Dumn, Mrs Mary Wummer and Amelia Keffer, of Reading; also 16 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, a total 53 descendants in three generations. Children were:

8 i. William S Keffer.
ii. Peter Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born on 11 Feb 1843 in Alsace Township, Pa. He was christened on 21 Apr 1843 in Reading, Pa. He died on 19 Jul 1913 in Elverson, Pa.

FORMER LETTER CARRIER DEAD

WAS ON THE FORCE 23 YEARS
ENLISTS AT AGE OF 18

PETER S. KEFFER HAD INTERESTING MILITIARY RECORD
TWICE CAPTURED BY THE CONFEDERATES

Suffering for over a year, Peter S Keffer died of cirrhosis of the liver at his residence in Elverson, Chester County, aged 70 years. Deceased was a well-known letter carrier of this city up to a year ago when he moved to Elverson. He was bedfast for five weeks.
Following a service of 23 years, Mr Keffer, one of the oldest carriers in point of service on the local force, tendered his resignation to Postmaster High a year ago. Falling health compelled Mr Keffer to retire. He received from the postmaster a flattering recommendation.
Mr Keffer was veteran of the Civil War and had an excellent record. He was the a son of Jacob S. and Mary Ann (nee Spies) Keffer, both deceased, and was born near Hartman's Tavern, Alsace Township on Feb 11, 1843. His father was a stone mason by occupation. His ancestor on his father's side was from one of the oldest families in Berks. Mr Keffer attended school at Poplar Neck, but at the age of 10 years he left school to drive a mule on the old Union Canal. The boats at that time were very small and carried possibly 36 to 40 tons. A horse or mule was to trot with the load, it is said. Mr Keffer continued at this occupation for four or five years and then entered ithe employ of John Trexler, brick manufacturer, whose plant was located in West Reading.

ENLISTED at Age of 18
At the age of 18 years he entered the army. On Aug 14, 1861 he was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg for three years as a private in Capt. Cornelius Wise's Company E 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Col J.F. Knipe commanding. He received an honorable discharge on Jan 2, 1864 at Dechard Station, Tenn, but re-enlisted the next day for three years, or until the close of the war, in the same company and same regiment under Capt S.T. Ketrer and Col. James l. Selfridge. This was was one of the regiments to be organized for three years in response to the call of President Lincoln. It rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and soon after its organization was ordered to Washington, D.C., and then to Ball's Bluff, Muddy Branch, Frederick City and Hancock, Md. Mr keffer served in 11 engagements during his first enlistment.

On Sherman's March to the Sea
After re-enlisting he was granted a furlough of four months, after which he particated in the following engagements: Resaca, Cassville, Dallas or New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, seige of Atlanta, Lost Mountain, Culps's farm, Kenasaw Mountain, Sherman's march to the Sea, Monteith Swamp, Savannah, Ga, campaign of the Carolinas, including Rockingham, Fayetteville, Averaboro, Rentenville, North Carolina, besides a number of skirmishes while on foraging duty. He was present at the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnson to Gen W.T. Sherman at Raleigh, N.C. April 26, 1865 following which the command proceeded to Washington D. C. taking part in the grand review on May 24-25, 1865.

Captured and Then Escapes
At Bentonville, N.C., Mr Keffer was one of a party of 20 foragers who, in charge of a second lieutenant, were sent out before their main body of troops to secure food for the sick soldiers. Leaving the main body of troops, they had proceeded only two or three miles when they were attacked by ambush by a scouting party of "Johnnies". The foragers were all mounted on good horses but their numbers were so small as compared to the rebs that they no effort to escape. They were pulled from their horses and the rebs took their guns and picked their pockets. The Confederate scouting party then bade the Union soldiers to remount and declared that they should hang inside of 24 hours.
An officer in command of the Confederates asked Mr. Keffer which way the Union army was coming and Mr. Keffer pointed just the opposite way to which the the Union army was approaching. In less than no time the Conferdates ran into the main body of Union troops and were immediately charged. In the excitement that followed the foragers took advantage of an opportunity to escape and succeeded. Mr . Keffer declared that this was the closest he was to death's door during his service in the army.

In Salisburg Prison
He was again captured on April 14, 1865 near Raleigh N.C. and was held in Saliburg prison from which place he was send to Fortress Monroe, Va and then to Annapolis Md where he remained until ordered to Harrisburg to be mustered out.
From the fall of 1863 until the spring of 1864 he was on detached service at the head quartermaster's department near Kelley's Ford, Va. but with the exception of this period took part in all the engagements and movements of his regiment and was honorably discharged May 18, 1865.
He returned to Reading and boated for one year, after which he helped to build the Ninth street rolling mill, and was employed there from '67 to '84
He married Elize Flack of this city. Mr Keffer was a member of Alsace Reformed Church and Post No 16, G.A.R. The couple had no children. In politics Mr Keffer was a Republican. He is survived by his widow and sister, Henry Keffer and Mrs Ellwood Wummer, both of the city.
Mr Keffer was widely known and was prominent menber of Grace (Alsace) Reformed Church, McLean Post No 16 G.A.R and the Letters Carriers's Association.
iii. Hannah Rebecca Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born on 10 Dec 1844 in Alsace Township, Pa. She was christened on 12 Apr 1845 in Reading, Pa.
iv. Anna Elizabeth Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born on 24 Sep 1846 in Alscae Township, Pa. She was christened on 14 Nov 1846 in Reading, Pa.
v. Catherine Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in 1848 in Alsace Township, Pa.
vi. Jonathan Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in 1851 in Alsace Township, Pa.
vii. Henry F Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born on 14 Feb 1853 in Cumru Township, Pa. He was christened on 5 Jun 1853 in Reading, Pa. He died on 17 Jun 1922 in Ontelaunee Township, Pa.

HENRY F KEFFER DIES

SERVED ON READING SCHOOL BOARD 27 YEARS AGO

Henry F. Keffer , a former resident of Reading , died of a complication of ailments a 8 o'clock Saturday evening at his residence, in Ontelaunee township, near Gernant's Church, aged 65 years and 4 months. Deceased was ailing four years and was bedfast three months. Deceased was a son of the late Jacob and Mary (nee Spies) Keffer. He was an active member of the Grace (Alsace) Reformed Church, a charter member of the Riverside Fire Co., and a member of the Knights of Golden Eagle, of Leesport. For many years he took a keen interest in Democratic politics. Twenty-seven years ago he served on the local school board. Mr Keffer was well known among the residents on the northern section of the city. He was a farmer in later years and it was his custom to make trips at frequent intervals to that section of the city for the purpose of selling garden truck. He was a native of Cumru township and prior to engaging in farming many years ago worked as polisher at the old Harbster hardware plant. Deceased's wife, Mary (nee Dankle) preceded him in death 21 years. He is survived by his second wife, Louise (nee Grube) and the following children: Alice, wife of William Spohn, Reading; Mary Keffer, New York; Bertha, wife of John Reigel, Leesport; Elizabeth and Floyd Keffer at home. Three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister Mary, wife of Ellwood Wummer, Reading, also survive. Rev. J. M. Mengel, pastor of Grace (Alsace) Reformed Church will officiate at the funeral; which will be held Thurday morning at 9:30 o'clock (standard time). Undertaker Seidel is in charge of arrangements.
viii. Mary Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in 1856 in Alsace Township, Pa.
ix. Emma Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in 1857 in Alsace Township, Pa. She died on 26 Nov 1873.
x. Amelia Keffer⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ was born in 1867 in Alsace Township, Pa. She died in Reading, Pa.