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Washington Henry Keffer

Birth
Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
20 Apr 1885 (aged 54)
Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial
Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Prof. W. H. Keffer, the well-known musician, died at his residence No. 42 North
Prince street, of consumption, this morning at 8:30 o'clock in the 57th year of
his age, after an illness of about six months, though he was confined to his
room only about two weeks.

Mr. Keffer was a son of the late Peter Keffer, and a brother of the late John,
Peter and Dr. Julius Keffer. He was born in Lancaster and educated in the
schools of this city. At a very early age he acquired a taste for music and
became a good performer on several instruments, his favorite being the violin,
of which he was a master player. After leaving school he went to Baltimore and
studied music under Prof. Boushee. He also spent some time in music stores in
Baltimore and Philadelphia, to perfect his musical education. On returning to
Lancaster he opened a music store on East Orange street, near North Queen,
conducting it for some years. About 1852 he organized the Lancaster
Philharmonic society, one of the best and most popular musical associations ever
organized in this city. He also organized Keffer's orchestra, and was its
leader for many years. It was composed of fine musicians, and had a high
reputation, and was engaged for years to furnish orchestral music at the opera
house, and to play for balls and other entertainments in this and many other
cities and towns in Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Many years ago Mr. Keffer opened a musical institute at his residence, North
Prince street, and gave instruction to many pupils, and had classes in various
other cities. He did more, perhaps, than any man in Lancaster to cultivate a
taste for and elevate the tone of the art of music. And it was not only in his
profession that he held high rank. In his earlier life he was regarded as an
amateur actor of no small merit; in social events he always took a prominent
part; as a companion he was entertaining and agreeable; as a husband and father
loving and indulgent, and as a citizen upright and honorable. His death will be
sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends and admirers.

About 1852 Prof. Keffer was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Moss, of Buffalo,
N.Y., by whom he had six children, five of whom are living – namely: Carrie,
the wife of Chas. R. Kline, esq.; Dr. Edw. –ngerich Keffer, dentist of
Philadelphia; Hallie(?) and Ellie, twin daughters and Boehm, the youngest son.

A peculiarly distressing feature of Prof. Keffer's death is the fact that his
wife has for weeks been lying seriously ill in the same room with him, and
family and friends have been almost daily expecting the death of both of them.

Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, April 20, 1885
Prof. W. H. Keffer, the well-known musician, died at his residence No. 42 North
Prince street, of consumption, this morning at 8:30 o'clock in the 57th year of
his age, after an illness of about six months, though he was confined to his
room only about two weeks.

Mr. Keffer was a son of the late Peter Keffer, and a brother of the late John,
Peter and Dr. Julius Keffer. He was born in Lancaster and educated in the
schools of this city. At a very early age he acquired a taste for music and
became a good performer on several instruments, his favorite being the violin,
of which he was a master player. After leaving school he went to Baltimore and
studied music under Prof. Boushee. He also spent some time in music stores in
Baltimore and Philadelphia, to perfect his musical education. On returning to
Lancaster he opened a music store on East Orange street, near North Queen,
conducting it for some years. About 1852 he organized the Lancaster
Philharmonic society, one of the best and most popular musical associations ever
organized in this city. He also organized Keffer's orchestra, and was its
leader for many years. It was composed of fine musicians, and had a high
reputation, and was engaged for years to furnish orchestral music at the opera
house, and to play for balls and other entertainments in this and many other
cities and towns in Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Many years ago Mr. Keffer opened a musical institute at his residence, North
Prince street, and gave instruction to many pupils, and had classes in various
other cities. He did more, perhaps, than any man in Lancaster to cultivate a
taste for and elevate the tone of the art of music. And it was not only in his
profession that he held high rank. In his earlier life he was regarded as an
amateur actor of no small merit; in social events he always took a prominent
part; as a companion he was entertaining and agreeable; as a husband and father
loving and indulgent, and as a citizen upright and honorable. His death will be
sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends and admirers.

About 1852 Prof. Keffer was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Moss, of Buffalo,
N.Y., by whom he had six children, five of whom are living – namely: Carrie,
the wife of Chas. R. Kline, esq.; Dr. Edw. –ngerich Keffer, dentist of
Philadelphia; Hallie(?) and Ellie, twin daughters and Boehm, the youngest son.

A peculiarly distressing feature of Prof. Keffer's death is the fact that his
wife has for weeks been lying seriously ill in the same room with him, and
family and friends have been almost daily expecting the death of both of them.

Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, April 20, 1885


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