Tax Record--Montgomery, Morton L. "Historical & biographical Annals of Berks Co.," Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1909, vol. 1, Frank Stahl's personal archive, A82, page 46.
1752-1754 Martin Keffer, listed as one of the first (1 of 63) taxable residents in Albany Tp. which was assessed in 1752 and prepared in 1754, page 8. Also: Andreas & Nicholas Wenner.
1752-1754 Mathias Keffer, Greenwich Tp., p. 11
1752-1754 Jacob Kieffer,Frederick Kieffer, Longswamp Tp., p. 12
1752-1754 Abram Kiefer, Richmond Tp., p. 14
O'Keefe, Barbara Brady, compiled. Goshenhoppen (St. Paul's Mission churhc of the Blessed Sacrament), Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania," Microfilmed June 1, 1992, Project and Fiche # 2CCB77)S, #11894, 1982, page 77.
"Keffer, Martin, of Martin Keffer and his wife Mary Eva, born June 29, 1769, baptized July 30 at Mons Acutus, sponsors Maurice and Mary Apollonia, his wife."
The following is from the research of Research of Donald Allen "Al" Keffer, 1960 Berkley Rd., Jeffersonville, PA 19403; (610) 631-0667; e-mail: [email protected] His website is http://www.parsonstech.com/genealogy/trees/akeffer/keffer.htm
Matthais Keffer was born in 1707 in Sitzmanns, Lower Austria. He died in May 1766 in Maxatawny, Pa. Matthias Keffer and his wife came from Alsace in 1740 on the ship Lydia; and landing at Philadelphia in September of that year, along with two sons, Matthais Jr. and Martin. A third son, John Peter Keffer was born to them at Maxatawny, Pa in late 1742.
On September 27, 1740, with probably a thousand or more others, Matteis Kaffer (the progenitor of the family which originated in Maxatawny, Berks County) arrived in Philadelphia on the Ship Lydia, out of Rotterdam via Dover, from the Palatinate (James Allen - Commander). We know little about him personally except that he was 33 at the time he landed. Matthias was obviously not indentured to pay for the voyage since he went almost immediately to Maxatawny, the name applied to that part of the Perkiomen Valley straddling the present boundary between Berks and Lehigh Counties. The records of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen) show the baptism of a son John Peter at his home in that place on December 19, 1742. We do not know where or when Matthais died.
As to how long Matthias and his wife lived we can only conjecture. Either their thirst for adventure took them to new frontiers, away from their family, which we doubt, or they probably died before 1766. The latter probability is borne out by the fact that they never appeared as sponsors at baptism for any of their grandchildren, a custom, which was practically never overlooked. Sponsorship in those days required that if a death of the parents occurred, then the sponsors were responsible for raising that child. Furthermore, in the Pennsylvania Archives, Series III, Vol. 18 are listed the tax assessments for all property owners in Berks County from 1768 to 1785. While practically all of his children are listed in 1768 with their holdings of land, cattle, and sheep, the names of Matthias and his wife are missing.
So, Matthais and his spouse (Anna Marie) passed on to their reward without leaving a complete record in stone or elsewhere but left instead a small army of descendants to pick up the burden as they laid it down on the frontiers of civilization in their adopted land.
Anna Maria's children were:
i. Martin Keffer was born in Alasce, Germany. Martin may well have seen service in the War of Independence. Martin Keffer, of Goshenhoppen, following the death of his first wife, Mary Eva, married Anna Marie Adams. In the Census of Pensioners made in connection with the Sixth Federal Census in 1840 there appears the name Anna Marie Keffer residing with the family of John J. Black in the South Ward of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa.
ii. Matthais Keffer Jr. was born in Alasce, Germany.
iii. John Peter Keffer.
iv. John Keffer was born about 1744.
v. Dorothy Keffer was born in 1746 in Goshenhoppen, Pa.
vi. Eva Keffer was born about 1748.
vii. Barbara Keffer was born about 1750.
viii. Elizabeth Keffer was born about 1755.
ix. Catherine Keffer was born about 1753.
x. Ludwig Keffer was born about 1757.
Al Keffer SOURCES:
1. GEDCOM file imported on 24 Aug 1998.
2. From the Philadelphia Inquirer December 3 1989 a review by Larry Fish of The Reading Railroad - History of a Coal Age Empire Volume 1 The Nineteen Century James L. Holton, Garrigues House (610) 261-0133. But now a valuable new history spotlights the important role that the Reading played in making of Philadelphia and the anthracite industry of the Schuylkill Valley.
3. The Reading Railroad: History of a Coal Age Empire by James L. Holton is the first book-length look at this important regional force and at the men who guided it, frequently ineptly. The first volume of Holton's history (Volume 2 is due next year) covers the Reading from its beginning as a adjunct to the Schuylkill Canal in 1830 to the aftermath of its bankruptcy in 1893, an event blamed for triggering an economic panic and its subsequent depression.
4. In the second volume of The Reading Railroad, Holton - a former executive at NBC News who is a descendant of four generations of Reading employees - will deal with the 20th century company. Volume 1 contains a chapter of particular value that is devoted exclusively to the Schuylkill Canal, which Holton rightly notes is long overdue for longer treatment of its own. It also has some wonderful early photographs of Reading and canal operations from the superb collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and from private collections. the book is a welcome addition for the serious rail buff and for anyone with an interest in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. The Reading Railroad may be ordered by mail from the publisher at Box 400, Laury's Station, Pa 18058. The $57 price includes postage.
5. William S Keffer's Family Bible circa 1850 has been passed to Charles Keffer to Willliam Keffer to Susan Keffer (his daughter) and recently passed on to Donald Allen Keffer. The Bible has been restored and should be considered as a very precious artifact of our heritage. Each generation should decide among themselves how to pass the Bible to the next generation of male Keffer's. It is our hope and desire that this Bible will become a living legacy of this branch on the Keffer lineage.
6. Another article about the Battle of Antietam can be found in the American Heritage magazine in The Terrible Price of Freedom.
7. John Poist Keffer. Keffer's of the Conewago Valley. MacCrellish
Quiley Co - Trenton, NJ 1960.
8. Lucille Hartman Nevin. Information from the book and church records of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Bally, Pa.
More About Matthias Keffer, Sr.:
Died 2: Bet. Jan - 8 Feb 1770, Greenwich Township, Berks Co., PA.258
Immigration: 27 Sep 1740, Age 33, from Alsace to Philadelphia on Ship "Lydia" (from Rotterdam via Dover from the Palatinate, James Allen, Commander) with two sons, Matthais, Jr. and Martin..259
Religion: St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen)--their son, John Peter was baptized on December 19, 1742..259
Residence: Alsace--prior his immigration to America..259
1752-1754 Martin Keffer, listed as one of the first (1 of 63) taxable residents in Albany Tp. which was assessed in 1752 and prepared in 1754, page 8. Also: Andreas & Nicholas Wenner.
1752-1754 Mathias Keffer, Greenwich Tp., p. 11
1752-1754 Jacob Kieffer,Frederick Kieffer, Longswamp Tp., p. 12
1752-1754 Abram Kiefer, Richmond Tp., p. 14
O'Keefe, Barbara Brady, compiled. Goshenhoppen (St. Paul's Mission churhc of the Blessed Sacrament), Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania," Microfilmed June 1, 1992, Project and Fiche # 2CCB77)S, #11894, 1982, page 77.
"Keffer, Martin, of Martin Keffer and his wife Mary Eva, born June 29, 1769, baptized July 30 at Mons Acutus, sponsors Maurice and Mary Apollonia, his wife."
The following is from the research of Research of Donald Allen "Al" Keffer, 1960 Berkley Rd., Jeffersonville, PA 19403; (610) 631-0667; e-mail: [email protected] His website is http://www.parsonstech.com/genealogy/trees/akeffer/keffer.htm
Matthais Keffer was born in 1707 in Sitzmanns, Lower Austria. He died in May 1766 in Maxatawny, Pa. Matthias Keffer and his wife came from Alsace in 1740 on the ship Lydia; and landing at Philadelphia in September of that year, along with two sons, Matthais Jr. and Martin. A third son, John Peter Keffer was born to them at Maxatawny, Pa in late 1742.
On September 27, 1740, with probably a thousand or more others, Matteis Kaffer (the progenitor of the family which originated in Maxatawny, Berks County) arrived in Philadelphia on the Ship Lydia, out of Rotterdam via Dover, from the Palatinate (James Allen - Commander). We know little about him personally except that he was 33 at the time he landed. Matthias was obviously not indentured to pay for the voyage since he went almost immediately to Maxatawny, the name applied to that part of the Perkiomen Valley straddling the present boundary between Berks and Lehigh Counties. The records of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen) show the baptism of a son John Peter at his home in that place on December 19, 1742. We do not know where or when Matthais died.
As to how long Matthias and his wife lived we can only conjecture. Either their thirst for adventure took them to new frontiers, away from their family, which we doubt, or they probably died before 1766. The latter probability is borne out by the fact that they never appeared as sponsors at baptism for any of their grandchildren, a custom, which was practically never overlooked. Sponsorship in those days required that if a death of the parents occurred, then the sponsors were responsible for raising that child. Furthermore, in the Pennsylvania Archives, Series III, Vol. 18 are listed the tax assessments for all property owners in Berks County from 1768 to 1785. While practically all of his children are listed in 1768 with their holdings of land, cattle, and sheep, the names of Matthias and his wife are missing.
So, Matthais and his spouse (Anna Marie) passed on to their reward without leaving a complete record in stone or elsewhere but left instead a small army of descendants to pick up the burden as they laid it down on the frontiers of civilization in their adopted land.
Anna Maria's children were:
i. Martin Keffer was born in Alasce, Germany. Martin may well have seen service in the War of Independence. Martin Keffer, of Goshenhoppen, following the death of his first wife, Mary Eva, married Anna Marie Adams. In the Census of Pensioners made in connection with the Sixth Federal Census in 1840 there appears the name Anna Marie Keffer residing with the family of John J. Black in the South Ward of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa.
ii. Matthais Keffer Jr. was born in Alasce, Germany.
iii. John Peter Keffer.
iv. John Keffer was born about 1744.
v. Dorothy Keffer was born in 1746 in Goshenhoppen, Pa.
vi. Eva Keffer was born about 1748.
vii. Barbara Keffer was born about 1750.
viii. Elizabeth Keffer was born about 1755.
ix. Catherine Keffer was born about 1753.
x. Ludwig Keffer was born about 1757.
Al Keffer SOURCES:
1. GEDCOM file imported on 24 Aug 1998.
2. From the Philadelphia Inquirer December 3 1989 a review by Larry Fish of The Reading Railroad - History of a Coal Age Empire Volume 1 The Nineteen Century James L. Holton, Garrigues House (610) 261-0133. But now a valuable new history spotlights the important role that the Reading played in making of Philadelphia and the anthracite industry of the Schuylkill Valley.
3. The Reading Railroad: History of a Coal Age Empire by James L. Holton is the first book-length look at this important regional force and at the men who guided it, frequently ineptly. The first volume of Holton's history (Volume 2 is due next year) covers the Reading from its beginning as a adjunct to the Schuylkill Canal in 1830 to the aftermath of its bankruptcy in 1893, an event blamed for triggering an economic panic and its subsequent depression.
4. In the second volume of The Reading Railroad, Holton - a former executive at NBC News who is a descendant of four generations of Reading employees - will deal with the 20th century company. Volume 1 contains a chapter of particular value that is devoted exclusively to the Schuylkill Canal, which Holton rightly notes is long overdue for longer treatment of its own. It also has some wonderful early photographs of Reading and canal operations from the superb collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and from private collections. the book is a welcome addition for the serious rail buff and for anyone with an interest in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. The Reading Railroad may be ordered by mail from the publisher at Box 400, Laury's Station, Pa 18058. The $57 price includes postage.
5. William S Keffer's Family Bible circa 1850 has been passed to Charles Keffer to Willliam Keffer to Susan Keffer (his daughter) and recently passed on to Donald Allen Keffer. The Bible has been restored and should be considered as a very precious artifact of our heritage. Each generation should decide among themselves how to pass the Bible to the next generation of male Keffer's. It is our hope and desire that this Bible will become a living legacy of this branch on the Keffer lineage.
6. Another article about the Battle of Antietam can be found in the American Heritage magazine in The Terrible Price of Freedom.
7. John Poist Keffer. Keffer's of the Conewago Valley. MacCrellish
Quiley Co - Trenton, NJ 1960.
8. Lucille Hartman Nevin. Information from the book and church records of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Bally, Pa.
More About Matthias Keffer, Sr.:
Died 2: Bet. Jan - 8 Feb 1770, Greenwich Township, Berks Co., PA.258
Immigration: 27 Sep 1740, Age 33, from Alsace to Philadelphia on Ship "Lydia" (from Rotterdam via Dover from the Palatinate, James Allen, Commander) with two sons, Matthais, Jr. and Martin..259
Religion: St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen)--their son, John Peter was baptized on December 19, 1742..259
Residence: Alsace--prior his immigration to America..259
Tax Record--Montgomery, Morton L. "Historical & biographical Annals of Berks Co.," Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1909, vol. 1, Frank Stahl's personal archive, A82, page 46.
1752-1754 Martin Keffer, listed as one of the first (1 of 63) taxable residents in Albany Tp. which was assessed in 1752 and prepared in 1754, page 8. Also: Andreas & Nicholas Wenner.
1752-1754 Mathias Keffer, Greenwich Tp., p. 11
1752-1754 Jacob Kieffer,Frederick Kieffer, Longswamp Tp., p. 12
1752-1754 Abram Kiefer, Richmond Tp., p. 14
O'Keefe, Barbara Brady, compiled. Goshenhoppen (St. Paul's Mission churhc of the Blessed Sacrament), Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania," Microfilmed June 1, 1992, Project and Fiche # 2CCB77)S, #11894, 1982, page 77.
"Keffer, Martin, of Martin Keffer and his wife Mary Eva, born June 29, 1769, baptized July 30 at Mons Acutus, sponsors Maurice and Mary Apollonia, his wife."
The following is from the research of Research of Donald Allen "Al" Keffer, 1960 Berkley Rd., Jeffersonville, PA 19403; (610) 631-0667; e-mail: [email protected] His website is http://www.parsonstech.com/genealogy/trees/akeffer/keffer.htm
Matthais Keffer was born in 1707 in Sitzmanns, Lower Austria. He died in May 1766 in Maxatawny, Pa. Matthias Keffer and his wife came from Alsace in 1740 on the ship Lydia; and landing at Philadelphia in September of that year, along with two sons, Matthais Jr. and Martin. A third son, John Peter Keffer was born to them at Maxatawny, Pa in late 1742.
On September 27, 1740, with probably a thousand or more others, Matteis Kaffer (the progenitor of the family which originated in Maxatawny, Berks County) arrived in Philadelphia on the Ship Lydia, out of Rotterdam via Dover, from the Palatinate (James Allen - Commander). We know little about him personally except that he was 33 at the time he landed. Matthias was obviously not indentured to pay for the voyage since he went almost immediately to Maxatawny, the name applied to that part of the Perkiomen Valley straddling the present boundary between Berks and Lehigh Counties. The records of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen) show the baptism of a son John Peter at his home in that place on December 19, 1742. We do not know where or when Matthais died.
As to how long Matthias and his wife lived we can only conjecture. Either their thirst for adventure took them to new frontiers, away from their family, which we doubt, or they probably died before 1766. The latter probability is borne out by the fact that they never appeared as sponsors at baptism for any of their grandchildren, a custom, which was practically never overlooked. Sponsorship in those days required that if a death of the parents occurred, then the sponsors were responsible for raising that child. Furthermore, in the Pennsylvania Archives, Series III, Vol. 18 are listed the tax assessments for all property owners in Berks County from 1768 to 1785. While practically all of his children are listed in 1768 with their holdings of land, cattle, and sheep, the names of Matthias and his wife are missing.
So, Matthais and his spouse (Anna Marie) passed on to their reward without leaving a complete record in stone or elsewhere but left instead a small army of descendants to pick up the burden as they laid it down on the frontiers of civilization in their adopted land.
Anna Maria's children were:
i. Martin Keffer was born in Alasce, Germany. Martin may well have seen service in the War of Independence. Martin Keffer, of Goshenhoppen, following the death of his first wife, Mary Eva, married Anna Marie Adams. In the Census of Pensioners made in connection with the Sixth Federal Census in 1840 there appears the name Anna Marie Keffer residing with the family of John J. Black in the South Ward of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa.
ii. Matthais Keffer Jr. was born in Alasce, Germany.
iii. John Peter Keffer.
iv. John Keffer was born about 1744.
v. Dorothy Keffer was born in 1746 in Goshenhoppen, Pa.
vi. Eva Keffer was born about 1748.
vii. Barbara Keffer was born about 1750.
viii. Elizabeth Keffer was born about 1755.
ix. Catherine Keffer was born about 1753.
x. Ludwig Keffer was born about 1757.
Al Keffer SOURCES:
1. GEDCOM file imported on 24 Aug 1998.
2. From the Philadelphia Inquirer December 3 1989 a review by Larry Fish of The Reading Railroad - History of a Coal Age Empire Volume 1 The Nineteen Century James L. Holton, Garrigues House (610) 261-0133. But now a valuable new history spotlights the important role that the Reading played in making of Philadelphia and the anthracite industry of the Schuylkill Valley.
3. The Reading Railroad: History of a Coal Age Empire by James L. Holton is the first book-length look at this important regional force and at the men who guided it, frequently ineptly. The first volume of Holton's history (Volume 2 is due next year) covers the Reading from its beginning as a adjunct to the Schuylkill Canal in 1830 to the aftermath of its bankruptcy in 1893, an event blamed for triggering an economic panic and its subsequent depression.
4. In the second volume of The Reading Railroad, Holton - a former executive at NBC News who is a descendant of four generations of Reading employees - will deal with the 20th century company. Volume 1 contains a chapter of particular value that is devoted exclusively to the Schuylkill Canal, which Holton rightly notes is long overdue for longer treatment of its own. It also has some wonderful early photographs of Reading and canal operations from the superb collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and from private collections. the book is a welcome addition for the serious rail buff and for anyone with an interest in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. The Reading Railroad may be ordered by mail from the publisher at Box 400, Laury's Station, Pa 18058. The $57 price includes postage.
5. William S Keffer's Family Bible circa 1850 has been passed to Charles Keffer to Willliam Keffer to Susan Keffer (his daughter) and recently passed on to Donald Allen Keffer. The Bible has been restored and should be considered as a very precious artifact of our heritage. Each generation should decide among themselves how to pass the Bible to the next generation of male Keffer's. It is our hope and desire that this Bible will become a living legacy of this branch on the Keffer lineage.
6. Another article about the Battle of Antietam can be found in the American Heritage magazine in The Terrible Price of Freedom.
7. John Poist Keffer. Keffer's of the Conewago Valley. MacCrellish
Quiley Co - Trenton, NJ 1960.
8. Lucille Hartman Nevin. Information from the book and church records of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Bally, Pa.
More About Matthias Keffer, Sr.:
Died 2: Bet. Jan - 8 Feb 1770, Greenwich Township, Berks Co., PA.258
Immigration: 27 Sep 1740, Age 33, from Alsace to Philadelphia on Ship "Lydia" (from Rotterdam via Dover from the Palatinate, James Allen, Commander) with two sons, Matthais, Jr. and Martin..259
Religion: St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen)--their son, John Peter was baptized on December 19, 1742..259
Residence: Alsace--prior his immigration to America..259
1752-1754 Martin Keffer, listed as one of the first (1 of 63) taxable residents in Albany Tp. which was assessed in 1752 and prepared in 1754, page 8. Also: Andreas & Nicholas Wenner.
1752-1754 Mathias Keffer, Greenwich Tp., p. 11
1752-1754 Jacob Kieffer,Frederick Kieffer, Longswamp Tp., p. 12
1752-1754 Abram Kiefer, Richmond Tp., p. 14
O'Keefe, Barbara Brady, compiled. Goshenhoppen (St. Paul's Mission churhc of the Blessed Sacrament), Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania," Microfilmed June 1, 1992, Project and Fiche # 2CCB77)S, #11894, 1982, page 77.
"Keffer, Martin, of Martin Keffer and his wife Mary Eva, born June 29, 1769, baptized July 30 at Mons Acutus, sponsors Maurice and Mary Apollonia, his wife."
The following is from the research of Research of Donald Allen "Al" Keffer, 1960 Berkley Rd., Jeffersonville, PA 19403; (610) 631-0667; e-mail: [email protected] His website is http://www.parsonstech.com/genealogy/trees/akeffer/keffer.htm
Matthais Keffer was born in 1707 in Sitzmanns, Lower Austria. He died in May 1766 in Maxatawny, Pa. Matthias Keffer and his wife came from Alsace in 1740 on the ship Lydia; and landing at Philadelphia in September of that year, along with two sons, Matthais Jr. and Martin. A third son, John Peter Keffer was born to them at Maxatawny, Pa in late 1742.
On September 27, 1740, with probably a thousand or more others, Matteis Kaffer (the progenitor of the family which originated in Maxatawny, Berks County) arrived in Philadelphia on the Ship Lydia, out of Rotterdam via Dover, from the Palatinate (James Allen - Commander). We know little about him personally except that he was 33 at the time he landed. Matthias was obviously not indentured to pay for the voyage since he went almost immediately to Maxatawny, the name applied to that part of the Perkiomen Valley straddling the present boundary between Berks and Lehigh Counties. The records of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen) show the baptism of a son John Peter at his home in that place on December 19, 1742. We do not know where or when Matthais died.
As to how long Matthias and his wife lived we can only conjecture. Either their thirst for adventure took them to new frontiers, away from their family, which we doubt, or they probably died before 1766. The latter probability is borne out by the fact that they never appeared as sponsors at baptism for any of their grandchildren, a custom, which was practically never overlooked. Sponsorship in those days required that if a death of the parents occurred, then the sponsors were responsible for raising that child. Furthermore, in the Pennsylvania Archives, Series III, Vol. 18 are listed the tax assessments for all property owners in Berks County from 1768 to 1785. While practically all of his children are listed in 1768 with their holdings of land, cattle, and sheep, the names of Matthias and his wife are missing.
So, Matthais and his spouse (Anna Marie) passed on to their reward without leaving a complete record in stone or elsewhere but left instead a small army of descendants to pick up the burden as they laid it down on the frontiers of civilization in their adopted land.
Anna Maria's children were:
i. Martin Keffer was born in Alasce, Germany. Martin may well have seen service in the War of Independence. Martin Keffer, of Goshenhoppen, following the death of his first wife, Mary Eva, married Anna Marie Adams. In the Census of Pensioners made in connection with the Sixth Federal Census in 1840 there appears the name Anna Marie Keffer residing with the family of John J. Black in the South Ward of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa.
ii. Matthais Keffer Jr. was born in Alasce, Germany.
iii. John Peter Keffer.
iv. John Keffer was born about 1744.
v. Dorothy Keffer was born in 1746 in Goshenhoppen, Pa.
vi. Eva Keffer was born about 1748.
vii. Barbara Keffer was born about 1750.
viii. Elizabeth Keffer was born about 1755.
ix. Catherine Keffer was born about 1753.
x. Ludwig Keffer was born about 1757.
Al Keffer SOURCES:
1. GEDCOM file imported on 24 Aug 1998.
2. From the Philadelphia Inquirer December 3 1989 a review by Larry Fish of The Reading Railroad - History of a Coal Age Empire Volume 1 The Nineteen Century James L. Holton, Garrigues House (610) 261-0133. But now a valuable new history spotlights the important role that the Reading played in making of Philadelphia and the anthracite industry of the Schuylkill Valley.
3. The Reading Railroad: History of a Coal Age Empire by James L. Holton is the first book-length look at this important regional force and at the men who guided it, frequently ineptly. The first volume of Holton's history (Volume 2 is due next year) covers the Reading from its beginning as a adjunct to the Schuylkill Canal in 1830 to the aftermath of its bankruptcy in 1893, an event blamed for triggering an economic panic and its subsequent depression.
4. In the second volume of The Reading Railroad, Holton - a former executive at NBC News who is a descendant of four generations of Reading employees - will deal with the 20th century company. Volume 1 contains a chapter of particular value that is devoted exclusively to the Schuylkill Canal, which Holton rightly notes is long overdue for longer treatment of its own. It also has some wonderful early photographs of Reading and canal operations from the superb collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and from private collections. the book is a welcome addition for the serious rail buff and for anyone with an interest in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. The Reading Railroad may be ordered by mail from the publisher at Box 400, Laury's Station, Pa 18058. The $57 price includes postage.
5. William S Keffer's Family Bible circa 1850 has been passed to Charles Keffer to Willliam Keffer to Susan Keffer (his daughter) and recently passed on to Donald Allen Keffer. The Bible has been restored and should be considered as a very precious artifact of our heritage. Each generation should decide among themselves how to pass the Bible to the next generation of male Keffer's. It is our hope and desire that this Bible will become a living legacy of this branch on the Keffer lineage.
6. Another article about the Battle of Antietam can be found in the American Heritage magazine in The Terrible Price of Freedom.
7. John Poist Keffer. Keffer's of the Conewago Valley. MacCrellish
Quiley Co - Trenton, NJ 1960.
8. Lucille Hartman Nevin. Information from the book and church records of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Bally, Pa.
More About Matthias Keffer, Sr.:
Died 2: Bet. Jan - 8 Feb 1770, Greenwich Township, Berks Co., PA.258
Immigration: 27 Sep 1740, Age 33, from Alsace to Philadelphia on Ship "Lydia" (from Rotterdam via Dover from the Palatinate, James Allen, Commander) with two sons, Matthais, Jr. and Martin..259
Religion: St. Paul's Catholic Church at Bally (Goshenhoppen)--their son, John Peter was baptized on December 19, 1742..259
Residence: Alsace--prior his immigration to America..259
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