| Birth: | Oct. 6, 1853
Reidsburg
Clarion County
Pennsylvania, USA | | Death: | Jun. 9, 1895
Lincoln
Lancaster County
Nebraska, USA | 
Son of William Frampton Keever and Mary Ann (Fetzer).
Husband of Emma J. Torrance.
The following article, relative to the life and death of our former well known and late lamented citizen, Joseph W. Keever, was prepared by one who had known the deceased for many years. It has been truly said that Lancaster County Nebraska has lost one of her most enterprising citizens in the death of Joseph W. Keever, who, we trust, fell asleep in Jesus at 5:30 o'clock Sabbath evening, June 9th, 1895 in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, where he had gone for treatment for that dread disease, cancer of the stomach and liver. At his bedside at the time of his death were his wife and only brother, Thomas J. Keever, of Pittsburgh, Pa. and his brother-in-law, Mr. [William] Scott Torrence, of Tarberry, Ill., who arrived a short time before he breathed his last, and other friends of the deceased. His funeral took place from Trinity M.E. church, of which he was a member on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. Huntington, D.D., and were very solemn and impressive. Sweet and touching strains of music interblended with the exercises during which profound sympathy was manifested for the bereaved and the sorrow on all hands over the loss of so honored a citizen was universal. Joseph W. Keever was born Oct. 6, 1853, at the old homestead, near Reidsburg, Clarion county, Pa. where his mother, Mrs. M.A. Keever, still resides. He was the son of the late Maj. W.N. and Mary A. Keever, being one of a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. He was an obedient son and a loving brother, courteous and respectful to all. On the 15th of April, 1884, he as married to Miss Emma J. Torrence, a former resident of Clarion, where Miss Emma was organist of the M.E. for some time. Joseph, while a boy, attended a common school and afterward was a student at Reid Institute, under the principalship of Prof. A. Rittenhouse, where he took a business course. The school not being incorporated at that time, he received his recommendation in bookkeeping and penmanship. He then engaged in the insurance business, representing companies of the highest standing, while at Reidsburg. Later he went to Monticello, Iowa, where he spent one year in the insurance business. After the death of his father, by the request of his mother, he returned to the old homestead and entered into business with his brother, Thomas, which they carried on successfully for eight years, after which he disposed of his interest and removed to Denton, Nebraska, in the fall of 1884, and purchased a farm. Here he lived and prospered for several years, then in 1892, he moved to the city of Lincoln, where he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In politics, Mr. Keever was an active democrat while in Pennsylvania and part of the time in Nebraska, but the Populist being very strong in the last named state, he turned in with them, and had he lived would have filled an important state office on a good salary in the near future, for among all classes his friends were numbered. But the vigilant efforts of the most skillful physicians and the ministrations of devoted friends proved unavailing. Nothing that fond affection could dictate was left undone to bring back health and strength to the loved one, who after seven weeks of suffering, was called from earth to rest in heaven. The morning before he died he remarked to his wife that he should life, if it was God's will, to go to sleep and never waken until he should wake to heaven, as his suffering was so great. He requested his physicians to hold an autopsy on his body, as since it was impossible for him to obtain relief from his suffering he desired that his friends might be informed as tot he nature of the disease, in hopes that they might be able to relieve some other sufferer. He died in the confident hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Emma J., one brother, Thomas J., of Pittsburgh, a widowed mother, Mrs. M.A., and two sisters, Miss Belle A., of Reidsburg, and Mrs. Lizzie K., wife of Jacob Hodil, of Sligo, Clarion County, Pa., to mourn their irreparable loss. Hear his voice from that world beyond, dear wife, relatives and friends, "Come, follow me." Clarion Jacksonian, 7/11/1895
| | | Burial:
Lincoln Memorial Park
Lincoln
Lancaster County
Nebraska, USA |
Created by: Pamela Myers-Grewell
Record added: Dec 02, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 31897681 |
|
|
|
|
Advertisement
