California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN W. KEEFER. A typical representative of the self-made men of our country, John W. 
Keefer has made rapid strides along the pathway of prosperity, and is now numbered among 
the business men of the city of Merced. Beginning his career with but little capital save that of 
courage, pluck and persistency of purpose, he has labored industriously, working as a wage-
earner many years. By means of thrift and economy, he accumulated a sufficient sum of money 
to establish himself in business, and is now proprietor of a large and well-patronized livery, 
feed and sale stable, which he is managing with characteristic enterprise and success. He was 
born, October 8, 1855, in Exeter, Lower Canada, a son of Joseph Keefer. 

Born and reared in Germany, Joseph Keefer immigrated when a young man to America, and 
first engaged in farming in Upper Canada, and afterward near Goderich, Ontario. Removing 
with his family to Nebraska in 1867, he located near Columbus, on the North Fork, where he 
carried on general farming the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa 
Nolan, was born in Germany, and now resides in Idaho. Of the nine children born of their 
marriage, all grew to years of maturity, and eight are living, John, the subject of this brief 
personal notice, being the eldest child, and the only one on the coast. 

Receiving limited educational advantages in his Canadian home, John W. Keefer began to work 
out as chore boy on a farm when but nine years old. Accompanying his parents to Nebraska 
when twelve years of age, he continued in his agricultural labors, assisting his father, or working 
for neighboring farmers in order to help support the family. Coming to California in 1875, Mr. 
Keefer was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sacramento county for two and one-half years, 
and then went back to Nebraska, where he remained eighteen months. Returning then to the 
Pacific coast, he traveled through Washington and Oregon, and for nearly two years was a 
resident of San Diego county. He has since resided in Merced county, and for more than twenty 
years was engaged in general farming, having charge of a ranch of seven hundred or more 
acres, which he devoted principally to grain raising. 

In 1899 Mr. Keefer established himself in the livery business on South Main street. Although he 
had but a small sum to start with, he put forth his best efforts and was very successful until 
burned out. Fortunately he at that time saved all of his stock and vehicles, his actual loss being 
but $75. He subsequently continued business in small quarters until his present stable was 
completed. This is a brick building, 60 x 130 feet, two stories in height, with stalls for fifty head 
of horses. He is popular as a liveryman, and has built up a remunerative business in this line of 
industry, being liberal and accommodating to his numerous patrons. 

Mr. Keefer married, in Merced, Mary Collins, a native of Missouri, and into their household 
seven children have been born, namely: Albert, Annie, Ray, Charles, William, Leo and Elsie. 
Politically Mr. Keefer is a steadfast adherent of the Democratic party, and is now a member of 
the Merced board of school trustees. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and is a 
member of the Catholic Church.