OBIT: John McKEAGE, 1874, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MS Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ MCKEAGE - Col. John McKeage - As good and brave a soldier as ever drew a sword in defense of his country, was born in Baltimore, in 1827, and came to this county in 1852. He served as a soldier in the Mexican War, in which he was wounded in the arm. He took an active part in the volunteer companies before the late war, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion he was Treasurer of our county. He immediately entered the service as Lieutenant of the Hollidaysburg Fencibles, which formed Company A, of the Third Pa. Regiment, three months service. At the expiration of that term, he took out a company from this town, of nine months service, in the 125th Regiment, and participated in all the various engagements through which that Regiment passed. At the expiration of that term, he came home, to find that his business, which was that of a segar manufacturer, had declined. At the time of the call, by Gov. Curtin for ninety day men, to assist in repelling the rebel invasion of our State, in 1863, he in two days recruited a company, and proceeded to Huntingdon, where his company was, with a number of others, mustered into service. A battalion was formed, and he was elected Lieutenant Colonel; the Regiment was ordered to the Broad Top coal region, at the time the rebels were invading Pennsylvania, which ended with the battle of Gettysburg; they accomplished their mission and were mustered out at Huntingdon. Soon after, he again went into the service, in the 184th Pa. Regiment as a Captain. He was captured by the rebels at the battle in front of Petersburg. He escaped from prison, and after suffering almost intolerable hardship, for a period of eleven days and nights, was recaptured, and taken to Libby Prison, from whense he was exchanged. At the breaking up of the war he was mustered out and came home. Whilst at home, after his nine months service, he married a lady of this place, whom he leaves a widow with five small children. Soon after his return, he was elected Sheriff of our county, and proved an efficient and competent officer, giving general satisfaction, by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing to all with whom he was brought in contact. Since that time he has been engaged in the manufacture of segars and confectionary, trading under the firm name of Eberman & McKeage. The people of the town turned out en masse at the funeral. He was buried as he had lived - a soldier. The Social Cornet Band, the Juniata Rifleman, and Drum Corps, performing the last and honors. Requiescat in pace, is the sincere wish of many friends. Col. John McKeage, died in this place, on Thursday the 12th inst., and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery on Saturday the 14th inst. The Register, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, February 18, 1874 1870 Hollidaysburg, Blair County census - John McKeage, 43 Sarah McKeage, 28 Fanny McKeage, 6 Jane McKeage, 4 Ann McKeage, 2 Robert McKeage, 2/12