Janis' Genealogy Biographies Page - Joseph Keeley




Janis' Genealogy Site

Joseph Keeley

Summary

  • Born: 5 April 1837
  • Died: 2 July 1906
  • Father: Matthew/Mathias Keeley
  • Mother: Ann Bohlin/Baldwin
  • Spouse: Catherine Fry

Biography

Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania by Gilbert Cope (1904), pg 395

Joseph Keeley, a public-spirited and influential citizen of Glen Mawr, Chester County, PA, who offered his services in behalf of his country's honor and served with credit and distinction from 1862 until the close of the terrible struggle between the north and the south, is a native of Wallace township, Chester county, PA, the date of his birth being April 5, 1837. Joseph Keeley is one of a family of ten children born to Matthew and Ann (Bohlin) Keeley - John, deceased; William, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil war and came to death from starvation while confined in Andersonville Prison; Mary A., wife of John Evans, of Iowa, and mother of 3 children; Eliza, wife of Robert Channell, who was engaged in the occupations of farmer and shoemaker, and they are the parents of 3 children; Maria, wife of Mordeca Eachus, a miller by trade, and their family consists of 6 children; Joseph, mentioned at length hereinafter; Emma, widow of Joseph Hartman, who was engaged in the operation of a saw mill in Chester Springs; they were the parents of 3 children; John, unmarried, resides in Chester Springs and is engaged as a laborer; Sarah J., wife of Albert March, of Chester county, a carpenter by trade, now employed in the bank at Pottstown; they have a family of 6 children; George W., now deceased, married Mrs. Thompson, and they were the parents of 1 child, both wife and child are also deceased.

Joseph Keeley aquired a practical education at the Indian Town school, which still retains its Indian name, in Wallace township, which was formerly a portion of East and West Nantmeal townships, and completed his duties at the age of nineteen years. On November 10, 1862, Mr. Keeley enlisted as a member of the 175th Pennsylvania Regiment, which was under the command of Capt. George Werntz. The term of enlistment was for nine months; they were mustered in at West Chester and at once proceeded to Fortress Monroe, from thence to Suffolk, VA, later to New Berne, NC, where they constructed earth works and participated in the relief at Little Washington, NC, also at Blount's Creek in April, 1863. The regiment then returned to Fortress Monroe, was transferred to Harper's Ferry and subsequently was stationed on Maryland Heights. They constructed the pontoons across the Potomac river, and when their term of enlistment expired on August 7, 1863, they were honorably discharged from service of the US government in the city of Philadelphia. On February 21, 1864, Mr. Keeley enlisted as a private to serve one year in Company G, 213th PA regiment, which was under the efficient command of Capt. Babe and Colonel Gorgus. They were first ordered to Annapolis, later to Frederick City, Maryland, and also to Washington, DC, their object being to guard the national capital from invasion by General Lee's troops. They remained in the latter city until the close of the hostilities, November 18, 1865, and were then mustered out of service. During this long and trying period, Mr. Keeley displayed the utmost heroism and patriotism and faithfully performed all his allotted tasks.

After his return from the war, Mr. Keeley engaged in agricultural pursuits in West Nantmeal township, Chester county, and after a residence of seven years in that locality he removed to Berks county and farmed for a period of 10 years. He then returned to Wallace township, Chester county, and for two years resided on the farm adjoining his present property, which consists of one acre and 13 perch. During this time he erected a substantial and commodious residence which is considered one of the finest farm houses in the county, and is certainly the most modern and beautiful in Wallace township. Mr. Keeley takes an active interest in the political affairs of the township, and served in the capacity of school tax collector for seven years. He holds membership in Fairview Presbyterian church, and is also an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being actively connected with that organization for a number of years.

In 1867 Mr. Keeley married Catherine Fry, daughter of George and Sarah Fry, and the issue of this union was three children: 1. John Witman, born December 29, 1869, married Frances Steyr, daughter of Adam Steyr, a prosperous farmer of Morgantown, Berks county. Two children were born to them, one of whom is now deceased; he is a blacksmith by trade and is an employee of the construction department of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the city of Philadelphia. 2. George Fry, born September 16, 1871, unmarried, resides in New Jersey, where he is conducting a grist mill. 3. Mary Emma, born July 5, 1873, became the wife of Harry Benner, of Chester county, a prosperous farmer and land owner; their family consists of four children: George P., Mary F., Noami E., and Hazel Catherine Benner. Mrs. Keeley is one of a family of twelve children, seven of whom are now deceased - Isaac, deceased; Mary E., who married James Turnbull; Catherine F., wife of Joseph Keeley; Lydia, unmarried; Clara L., who married Jefferson Epler; Susan L. Lockhart; Emma, unmarried; Charles, who died in infancy; Daniel, who married Sarah Strunk; George Washington, who is a bachelor; and Martha Emily, who married Benjamin Netauck, of Roberton township, Berks county, a farmer.

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