Mr. Keefer, who is of German descent, is the son of Elias Keefer, a native of Northampton County, and a soldier of the war of 1812. The latter married Miss Lydia Solt, to whom were born five children, Elizabeth (Mrs. Louis Guttendake), George, John, Joseph, and Samuel, the last named being deceased. Joseph was born on the 9th of April, 1844, in the township of Allen, Northampton Co., and when a lad of nine years rendered himself independent by employment on the Lehigh Canal. This was continued for four successive seasons, when his services were called into requisition among the farmers of the neighborhood. At the age of fifteen he removed with his parents to Lehigh County, and located in North Whitehall township, where, after a brief period of labor, he determined to acquire the trade of his father, that of a blacksmith. Before completing his apprenticeship he enlisted in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and continued in the service until his discharge in August, 1865, participating meanwhile in the battles of Chancellersville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and several skirmishes and minor encounters. He resumed his trade in 1865, and continued thus employed for seven years.

Mr. Keefer was, in 1866, married to Miss Mary, daughter of William Kleckner, of Lehigh County, whose children are George William, Sarah Ann, and Mary Alice, living, and John Henry, Joseph Elias, and Samuel Lewis, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer have also an adopted son, Alfred Lewis. During the year 1871, Mr. Keefer became a workman at the Hokendauqua Furnace, and remained thus employed for three years, when he engaged in the mining of iron ore, arid still continues the business. To this he has added the cultivation of a farm, which he purchased in 1880, and which is his present home. Mr. Keefer is in politics a Republican, but not a politician, and does not encourage the use of his name as a candidate for official place. He is both a member and trustee of the Egypt Reformed Church, and was formerly a deacon of the Reformed Church of Coplay.

Joseph Keefer married in 1866, Miss Mary Kleckner, daughter of William and Clarissa Kleckner, of Lehigh Co., born near Egypt, Aug. 24, 1845. Mrs. Keefer was one of a family of eight children. Unto Joseph and Mary K. Keefer, were born six children, viz: John H., Joseph E., and Samuel L., all deceased; George W.; Sarah A.; born Aug. 20, 1868, married Rev. A. J. L. Breinig. Issue: Benjamin E., Clarissa A., Margaret A., and three others deceased, Mary A. Keefer, born, Aug. 5, 1873, married David Lindaman. Issue two children, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer also had adopted son, Alfred, born Aug. 3, 1882, who became at an early age connected with the Cement National Bank of Siegfrieds, Pa.