John Warren Keffer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82020
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Designer, Woolen Mill
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82018
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1901, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Designer
• Occupation: 1901, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Mill Worker
• Occupation: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Designer, Woolen Mill
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Many Friends Honor Memory, Late W. Keffer Service at Grace Under Auspices Masonic Order

Friends from far and near paid their last respects to the memory of the late Wellington Keffer at the funeral services yesterday afternoon. Silent tribute was paid the deceased by the beautiful floral offerings, which showed the high esteem in which he had been held, and the large cortege which preceded to the cemetery told further of the esteem held for him. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. D. E. Foster, pastor of the United church of which the late Mr. Keffer was an active member. He was assisted by Rev. T. G. Marshall, minister of St. Andrew's Presbyterian church, and Rev. N. A. Keffer, pastor of St. James Lutheran church. The service at the graveside was under the auspices of the Masonic order, of which the late R. W. Bro. Keffer was a past district deputy grand master as well as being a past master and chaplain of New Hope Lodge. Practically every lodge in the district was represented and the members acted as guard of honor as the cortege approached the cemetery where the simple and impressive ceremony of the order was observed at the grave. The service there was conducted by W. M. Bro. K. W. MacDonald, I.P.M. W. Bro Ernest Midgely, Chaplain W Bro. F. Featherstone and D. of C. W Br. R. A. Young. The pallbearers were K. W. MacDonald of Preston, R. A. Young, J. A. Beattie, D. W. Panabaker, C. A. Panabaker and J. J. Shaw of Hespeler, R Forbes Auld of Guelph and A. T. Panabaker of Blair.

W. Keffer Dies at Home Here in 79^th Year

Wellington Keffer, one of the town's older and most highly esteemed citizens, passed away at his home, Harvey street, shortly after three o'clock yesterday afternoon. The late Mr. Keffer, who was in his 79^th year, had not been in the best of health since last summer when he suffered a stroke while visiting his daughter in Saskatchewan. His ill health made necessary his resignation from duties on the public school board at that time and earlier this year he suffered a recurrence of the attack to which he succumbed. He was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Keffer, who is in her 104^th year, and the late Solomon Keffer. He spent practically his entire life in this district, with the exception of a few years when he worked in the United States, and had formed a large circle of friends who will mourn his passing. The late Mr. Keffer was connected with the woollen trade for practically his entire life and for years was the head of the designing department at the R. Forbes Co. mill here. He retired from this vocation some 10 years ago when the local mill was amalgamated with the Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Ltd.

Active Fraternally

A member of the United church, Mr. Keffer took an active part in the work of the congregation and he was a member of the official board for years. He was also well known in fraternal circles. A member of New Hope Masonic Lodge, he was a past district deputy grand master of the order and, until the time of his death, served as chaplain of the local lodge of which he was a past grand master. Mr. Keffer took an active interest in civic affairs and had devoted some 19 years of his time to the work of the public school board. He entered this body in 1921 and when, owing to ill health, he resigned from the body last year, the board passed a resolution "That the resignation.... be accepted with profound regret... During the 19 years of his membership Mr. Keffer served for many years as chairman of the property committee and the present splendid physical condition of the school property is due in no small part to his untiring efforts and good work... he went about the business of the board in an efficient manner and always with the best interests of the school wholly in view..."

Historical Society

The late Mr. Keffer was also the local vice-president of the Waterloo County historical society. In 1885, Mr. Keffer married Miss Leah Merz of Philadelphia, Pa., who passed away a few years afterwards. There were three children, two sons and a daughter, all deceased. After returning to this district he married Miss Ellen Warren, who survives him, in April, 1890, nearly 50 years ago. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Keffer of Hespeler; three sisters, Mrs S. Herschleg of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Mrs. Ethel M. Fisher and Miss Florence Keffer of Hespeler; a brother, Ephraim Keffer of Hespeler; two daughters, Mrs. W. J. Simpson of Gainsborough, Sask., and Mrs. Harry K. Stager of Preston and three sons, Fred, of Valley Field, Long Island, N. Y., John W. of Ridgewood, N. J., and James of Toronto, also survive. Two sons were killed in action in France during the last Great War. The funeral, under Masonic auspices, is to take place on Sunday afternoon. A service is to be conducted at his home, Harvey street, at 2: 30 o'clock and interment will be in the Hespeler cemetery.

____________________________

Deaths
Keffer - Died in Hespeler on Thursday, March 14, 1940. Wellington Keffer, in his 79^th year. The funeral (Masonic) will take place on Sunday, March 17, from his late residence, Harvey street, Hespeler. Service at 2: 30 p.m. Interment in the Hespeler Cemetery.

______________________


Birth Place: Puslinch Township Ontario
Date of Birth: January 16^th, 1862
Deceased: March 14^th, 1940 at home, Hespeler, Ont.
Age: 78 years, 1 month, 27 days
Funeral Arrangements by Stager & Co. Hespeler Ontario, Est. 1897

Memorial Record book from the funeral home, Personal Record for Wellington Keffer

Wellington married Ellen Priscilla "Ella" Warren Apr 1890. Ellen (daughter of John Warren and Rachel Unsworth) was born 10 Jul 1868, Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; died 1961; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Ellen Priscilla "Ella" Keffer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82019
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-84330
• Occupation: 1871, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Occupation: 1881, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Occupation: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Solomon married Elizabeth Mager 18 Oct 1853. Elizabeth was born 16 Apr 1836, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario; died 29 Jul 1940, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133048101
• Name: Elizabeth Keffer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-84331
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Hespeler Woman 101 Years Old

Mrs. Elizabeth Keffer Native of York Township.

HESPELER. Mrs. Elizabeth Keffer, believed to be the oldest citizen of Waterloo County, observed her 101st birthday anniversary at her home in Hespeler on Friday. Mrs. Keffer is enjoying comparatively good health. Born in Vaughan Township, York County, Mrs. Keffer is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Adam Mager. She received the greater part of her education at home owing to the lack of educational facilities.

She maried Solomon Keffer on October 18, 1853, the ceremony being performed by Rev. James Dick, of the Presbyterian church. At that time clergymen of the Presbyterian and Anglican faith, only, were privileged to perform the marriage ceremony, she recalled.

The couple resided in "Muddy York," now Toronto, for seven years, coming to this district in 1860 when they took up their home on a farm in Puslinch Township. After six years of farming they moved to Hespeler about 70 years ago.

Of the eight children, six are still living.

Waterloo Chronicle, 20 Apr 1937, p. 5

Rebellion of 1837:
Mrs. Keffer spent her girlhood in the then sparsely settled Vaughan Township. Her recollections of her girlhood reveal that soldiers of the Rebellion of 1837 drilled on her father's farm before they attempted their coup.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-83663P
• Immigration: 1852, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1852, , Canada
• Occupation: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

John — Rachel Unsworth. Rachel was born 18 Mar 1837, , England; died 23 Mar 1926; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Warren
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-83664P
• Immigration: 1852, , Canada
• Immigration: 1855, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican