My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE KEIFER, physician and surgeon, Troy; is a son of Margaret and George Keifer, and was born in Washington Co., Md., July 4, 1806; his father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Maryland, in which State they were married; they removed to Bethel Township, in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1812, the overland trip to Springfield occupying thirty-one days; his father died Aug. 31, 1845, she in 1822; they were parents of five children, two living—Mrs. Catherine Humphrys and our subject; Mr. K., Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and had much knowledge of the science of medicine, and, withal, was a very useful man. At the age of 12 years, our subject entered the Findlay Seminary, a Methodist institution, in which he obtained a preparatory education, which was afterward fully developed in the same institution; in 1826, he began the study of medicine in Troy, under the guidance of the late Dr. Asa Coleman, who was his preceptor for three years; he then entered the Ohio Medical College, which conferred on him their diploma of medicine and surgery. Returning to Troy, he entered on the duties of his profession, and for three years practiced with his former preceptor; since then, with the exception of a short time, he has practiced independent of assisting physicians. He has been twice married; first to Eliza Cushman, of Providence, R. I., Oct. 27, 1833, who bore him seven children, four living—Mary E., Asa C., Sarah J. and Henrietta; the deceased are Charles L., George D. and Eliza. Mrs. K. died Dec. 12, 1845, aged 36 years. His second marriage was celebrated May 8, 1849, with Elizabeth Hazard, of New London, Conn.; she died May 5, 1880, aged 76 years. With one exception, the Doctor is the oldest practitioner in the county, and has built up a large practice. July 9, 1862, he was commissioned Surgeon of the 50th O. V. I., and had charge of General Hospital No. 19, in Louisville, Ky.; he was honorably discharged Dec. 26, 1863; during Gov. Allen’s administration, he became one of the managers of the Soldiers and Sailors’ Orphan Home for three years, and was afterward appointed by the trustees as Superintendent of the same institution, receiving many compliments for his able management. In 1838, he was commissioned Brigadier General, by Gov. Vance, which position he held ten years. In extracts from the press during his term, we learn that the Doctor was a very gallant officer. At home he has always been a representative man, discharging the duties of Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, Mayor three years, President and member of the Board of Education three years, which speaks much for the Doctor’s official capacity. He has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1830, and has held positions of honor and trust; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Order, in which he served as District Deputy Grand Master three years.