OBIT: John KEEFFE, 1899, native of Bedford County, PA

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John Keeffe,    Bedford Gazette   7/28/1899
 
John Keeffe was born in Bedford November 11, 1820. He was a son of John and 
Phoebe Keeffe. His father was born in 1777 and was one of the pioneer settlers 
in this part of Pennsylvania.  He died in 1852, three years before his wife 
passed away. "Colonel" Keeffe, as decedent was called by his friends, was the 
last of a family of twelve children. His nearest living relatives are his 
nephews: William Riffle, of Pittsburg, and Albert Riffle, of Hancock, N. J.
Colonel Keeffe was a hero of two wars. He was a member of Capt. Samuel M. 
Taylor's company, organized in Bedford May 9, 1847, and styled the
"Independent Grays." The company went to Pittsburg and on May 22, was mustered 
into the United States service.  Decedent was chosen second lieutenant.
The company proceeded, by river steamer, to New Orleans and in June, entered 
Vera Cruz, Mex.  After a long march, during which there were daily skirmishes 
with Mexican guerrillas, the command reached Puebla and joined the main body of 
General Scott's army the day before the troops started for the City of Mexico. 
The "Grays" were designated as Company F. Second regiment Pennsylvania 
volunteers, Col. William B. Roberts, of Quitman's division, in command. At
Contreras and Churubusco, the Second regiment occupied positions of great
peril and in the storming of Chapultepec and "Belen Gate" was foremost in
the fight.  It won lasting fame and was the first regiment to enter the
Mexican capital.  In the assault on Chapultepec, Lieutenant Keeffe was
wounded in the shoulder.  He returned home December 19, 1847, and on the 7th of 
January, 1848, was chief guest at a banquet and the recipient of a handsome 
sword presented by his friends. This sword and a flag belonging to William 
Watson Post 332, G. A. R., of Bedford, were placed on his coffin Monday and 
remained there until after the funeral services were held. Lieutenant Keeffe 
resigned as a member of the Second regiment February 11, 1848.  In '49, he 
crossed the continent to seek a fortune in the gold fields of California.
While there, the war between the north and the south broke out, and he again 
proved his loyalty to his country by fighting under the flag of the 
Federalists.  He enlisted in Company B, Third regiment, California infantry,
October 19. 1861.  He was discharged March 31, 1864, but re-enlisted, as a 
veteran, May 4, 1864, and was discharged May 13, 1866.  He returned to
Bedford, and for some time, conducted a book store and news stand on Juliana
street. Before the Mexican war, he taught school at Wolfsburg.  Colonel Keeffe 
was a gallant soldier.  He served his country faithfully and well. He was a 
charitable man, always ready and willing to help the needy. He was laid to rest 
in the family lot in the Bedford cemetery, Wednesday morning. Funeral services 
were conducted by Rev. Father D. Cashman.  The pall-bearers were Judge J.H. 
Longenecker, Capt. J. P.. Helm, Capt. S. S. Metzger, Prothonotary James 
Cleaver, Sheriff Andrew Dodson and Commissioner Josiah Huffman. He was
buried with the honors of war, under the auspices of William Watson Post,
G. A. R., of which he was a member.

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