12 January 1966: David M. Keiffer, one of the last blacksmiths in the area, died early this morning at his home, 37 Willow Ave., Cleona. He was 81 and had been ill for a long time. Keiffer was a blacksmith since 1905 and had lived in the Fredericksburg area for about 50 years. He last resided at the Cleona address with is son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Fake. His wife, the former Nora Bashore, died in 1936. He was born in Berks County a son of the late George and Catherine Merkey Keiffer.
He served his three-year apprenticeship as a blacksmith under Daniel Nye in Fredericksburg. He then went to Myerstown, where he worked for George Smith. After a time, he joined Martin Roadermel who had a shop in Lebanon. Later Keiffer operated a shop in Hamlin. After World War I when Nye wanted to give up his business in Fredericksburg, Keiffer took his place. Keiffer's trade took him to various places in Lebanon County as well as to communities in Dauphin, Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Keiffer was a member of Immanuel Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cleona and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fredericksburg.
He is survived by four daughters, Dorothy, wife, of Elvin Fake; Miss Caroline Keiffer; Philadelphia; Mayme, wife of Earl Bross, Fredericksburg, and Florence, wife of Harold Daubert, Cleona; one son, A. R. Keiffer; Easton; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Bashore, Lebanon, and Annie, wife of Daniel Brown, Bethel, and a number of nieces and nephews. A daughter, Mabel, preceded him in death. [Lebanon Daily News]
He served his three-year apprenticeship as a blacksmith under Daniel Nye in Fredericksburg. He then went to Myerstown, where he worked for George Smith. After a time, he joined Martin Roadermel who had a shop in Lebanon. Later Keiffer operated a shop in Hamlin. After World War I when Nye wanted to give up his business in Fredericksburg, Keiffer took his place. Keiffer's trade took him to various places in Lebanon County as well as to communities in Dauphin, Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Keiffer was a member of Immanuel Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cleona and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fredericksburg.
He is survived by four daughters, Dorothy, wife, of Elvin Fake; Miss Caroline Keiffer; Philadelphia; Mayme, wife of Earl Bross, Fredericksburg, and Florence, wife of Harold Daubert, Cleona; one son, A. R. Keiffer; Easton; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Bashore, Lebanon, and Annie, wife of Daniel Brown, Bethel, and a number of nieces and nephews. A daughter, Mabel, preceded him in death. [Lebanon Daily News]
12 January 1966: David M. Keiffer, one of the last blacksmiths in the area, died early this morning at his home, 37 Willow Ave., Cleona. He was 81 and had been ill for a long time. Keiffer was a blacksmith since 1905 and had lived in the Fredericksburg area for about 50 years. He last resided at the Cleona address with is son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Fake. His wife, the former Nora Bashore, died in 1936. He was born in Berks County a son of the late George and Catherine Merkey Keiffer.
He served his three-year apprenticeship as a blacksmith under Daniel Nye in Fredericksburg. He then went to Myerstown, where he worked for George Smith. After a time, he joined Martin Roadermel who had a shop in Lebanon. Later Keiffer operated a shop in Hamlin. After World War I when Nye wanted to give up his business in Fredericksburg, Keiffer took his place. Keiffer's trade took him to various places in Lebanon County as well as to communities in Dauphin, Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Keiffer was a member of Immanuel Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cleona and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fredericksburg.
He is survived by four daughters, Dorothy, wife, of Elvin Fake; Miss Caroline Keiffer; Philadelphia; Mayme, wife of Earl Bross, Fredericksburg, and Florence, wife of Harold Daubert, Cleona; one son, A. R. Keiffer; Easton; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Bashore, Lebanon, and Annie, wife of Daniel Brown, Bethel, and a number of nieces and nephews. A daughter, Mabel, preceded him in death. [Lebanon Daily News]
He served his three-year apprenticeship as a blacksmith under Daniel Nye in Fredericksburg. He then went to Myerstown, where he worked for George Smith. After a time, he joined Martin Roadermel who had a shop in Lebanon. Later Keiffer operated a shop in Hamlin. After World War I when Nye wanted to give up his business in Fredericksburg, Keiffer took his place. Keiffer's trade took him to various places in Lebanon County as well as to communities in Dauphin, Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Keiffer was a member of Immanuel Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cleona and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fredericksburg.
He is survived by four daughters, Dorothy, wife, of Elvin Fake; Miss Caroline Keiffer; Philadelphia; Mayme, wife of Earl Bross, Fredericksburg, and Florence, wife of Harold Daubert, Cleona; one son, A. R. Keiffer; Easton; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Bashore, Lebanon, and Annie, wife of Daniel Brown, Bethel, and a number of nieces and nephews. A daughter, Mabel, preceded him in death. [Lebanon Daily News]
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