BIO: John Brua KEEFER, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 255.
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  KEEFER, JOHN BRUA, son of Andrew and Catherine (Brua) Keefer, was 
born April 10, 1832, at Harrisburg, Pa.  He received his education at 
the public schools of the borough and at the Harrisburg Military 
Institute, established by Capt. Alden Partridge in 1845.  Subsequently 
he learned the trade of a machinist in the shops of the Philadelphia & 
Reading Railroad Company, at Reading.  From 1853 to 1864 he carried on 
a foundry and machine shop at Cressona, Schuylkill county, Pa.  He then 
engaged in the oil trade in Venango county, and afterwards carried on 
the rolling-mill business at Allentown.  From 1870 to 1877 he was 
engaged in the manufacture of firebricks at Harrisburg.  On the 13th of 
February, 1877, he was commissioned by President Grant, major and 
paymaster in the United States army, and at present in active service.  
Major Keefer married, November 27, 1854, Catherine R. Boyer, of 
Reading.  Their children were Horace A., Catherine A., who married 
Lieut.  J. W. Duncan, U.S.A., Edith M., who married H. M. Paxton, Mary 
F., Frank R., and Caroline R.