BIO:  Stephen KEEFER, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Hanover Borough and Penn Township, Pg 65

STEPHEN KEEFER was born in West Virginia, November 29, 1816, and is a son of 
Joseph and Mary Keefer, natives of the same State.  He remained at home with his 
parents until the age of eighteen, when he was apprenticed to learn the 
carpenter trade, and remained at this business twelve years.  He then moved to 
Hanover, and was engaged for thirteen years in the grocery business, where he 
laid the foundation of an ample fortune.  Mr. Keefer was elected a director of 
the First National Bank of Hanover, when it was organized, which position he 
held four years; he was then elected cashier and served six years, but resigned 
this position to seek a more active vocation.  He then became prominently 
identified with the railroad interest of this section of York County, becoming a 
director in the Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettysburg Railroads, and Baughman 
Valley, Berlin Branch and Hanover and Baltimore and Baltimore & Harrisburg 
Railroads; is a director of the Hanover Gas Company, helped to organize the 
Hanover Water Company, and is now president and general superintendent of it.  
At the organization of the Hanover Agricultural Society, he was elected 
president.  Always having been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, he 
was elected county commissioner in 1880, and performed the duties of that office 
with signal ability, showing an extensive knowledge of business.  In this 
official capacity he made warm friends in both political parties of York County.  
His marriage to Catherine, daughter of David and Susan Bixler, occurred December 
24, 1842.  His second marriage was to Miss Susan, daughter of Rudolph and 
Elizabeth Forry, of York, Penn., and was solemnized May 18, 1858.  Mr. Keefer is 
a member of the Reformed Church, and his present wife of St. Mark’s Lutheran 
Church of Hanover.  He has always been a public spirited citizen and has done 
much to improve the material interests of Hanover.  He was elected burgess of 
Hanover, February, 1885.