Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



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Samuel F. Keefer and Mary "Polly" Binkerd




Husband Samuel F. Keefer 1

           Born: 12 Sep 1816 - Beaver Twp, Clarion Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 25 Feb 1881 2
         Buried:  - Dutch Hill Cemetery, Perry Twp, Clarion Co, PA


         Father: George Keefer (1793-1819) 3
         Mother: Mary Magdalena Fry (1794-1871) 3


       Marriage: 



Wife Mary "Polly" Binkerd 4

           Born: 14 Jun 1815 - Perry Twp, Armstrong Co, PA 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 17 Oct 1888 2
         Buried:  - Dutch Hill Cemetery, Perry Twp, Clarion Co, PA


         Father: John Binkerd (      -1859) 4
         Mother: Elizabeth [Unk] (      -1851) 4




Children
1 M George W. Keefer 5

           Born: 8 Oct 1850 5
     Christened: 
           Died: Feb 1917 - Shamrock, Creek Co, OK 5
         Buried:  - Dutch Hill Cemetery, Perry Twp, Clarion Co, PA
         Spouse: Isadore McKibben (1848-1904) 6
           Marr: 1872 5


2 F Mary Magdalena Keefer 7

           Born: 7 Sep 1852 - Perry Twp, Clarion Co, PA 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 8 Aug 1944 7
         Buried:  - West Monterey Cemetery, West Monterey, Clarion Co, PA
         Spouse: Hiram J. Sedwick (1852-1917) 7
           Marr: 7 Dec 1874 - West Monterey, Clarion Co, PA 7


3 F Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Keefer 2

           Born: 1854 - Perry Twp, Clarion Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 



4 F Barbara Rebecca "Becky" Keefer 8

           Born: 21 Nov 1856 - West Monterey, Clarion Co, PA 8
     Christened: 
           Died: 10 Mar 1906 - ? Meeker Co, MN 8
         Buried:  - St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Forest City, Meeker Co, MN
         Spouse: Joseph C. Jackman (1855-1932) 8
           Marr: 1877 8



General Notes: Husband - Samuel F. Keefer


On a 33 acres farm, located along the banks of the Allegheny River, in the northern section of West Monterey, PA, Samuel and Mary (Binkerd) Keefer lived and died. However, from time to time he purchased more land in that section. Along with the farming and blacksmithing, they operated a boarding house and home for the river raftsmen, who floated logs and sawed lumber down the river to Pittsburgh, where a higher price could be obtained for the products. The raftsmen affectionately referred to Samuel Keefer as "Uncle Sam of the Lumberman's Home". This home was a long, narrow two story building with twenty bedrooms to accommodate the raftsmen.
Tradition has it that Samuel F. Keefer built this home. Four large fireplaces, which included one in the large built-on kitchen, were a necessity to provide warmth in cold weather. The fireplace in the kitchen provided warmth as well as a means of doing the cooking, since stoves were not popular in those days. Large swinging cranes were attached to the stones used in building the fireplace and then large kettles were hung on the cranes over the fire. Food was prepared in this way, and served in the large dining room in the Home.
In a room called the "Pantry”, there were huge bins for storage of flour, brown sugar, cornmeal, buckwheat flour, etc. Flour and cornmeal, as well as buckwheat flour, was purchased from the local flour mills in large quantities, and brown sugar in large amounts was purchased in Pittsburgh and brought by boat up the river. Very little white sugar was kept in the house, it was too expensive. Orleans or Black Strap Molasses was purchased by the barrel, and was used as a sweetener wherever possible. There were deep shelves and dough-trays in the "Pantry." Bread dough was mixed in the dough-trays, and the bread raised inside the house. In preparation for baking the huge outdoor oven (Bakeoven), near the outside Kitchen door had to be heated. When sufficiently heated, the hot coals were raked from the oven, then cornmeal was thrown on the floor of the oven, then the bread, which had risen inside the warm house was gently placed on a long handled shovel and each loaf placed in the oven by quickly withdrawing the shovel, leaving the raised loaf on the floor of the oven. Pans were not used for large bakings. When the bread was thoroughly baked, and taken out of the oven, the oven was still very hot, then the pies were put in, after that large pans of cookies, or "light cakes" as they called buns or rolls in those days, was baked in this large outdoor oven. Bread was made from a mixture of wheat flour and cornmeal. Leaven was home-made from hops, brewers yeast, and potatoes. It was kept cool in stone crocks from one baking to the next. When time permitted, during the warmer weather, strong yeast was mixed with cornmeal and formed into cakes (like potato cakes) to be dried and used through the summer months. These cakes used to sell for 2 cents each. Berries, apples and other fruits were dried to make pies. When no other filling was available, molasses pies were made.
Many hogs were butchered and made into sausage, smoked ham and bacon; all in readiness for each rush time of raftsmen. Friends and relatives always gathered to help in the baking, butchering, and fuel stacking as the river began to crack the ice and get ready for the break up in the ice gorge, followed by the rafts. Much speculation as to the thawing, rains, clouds, and the way the sun went down were the only way they had of timing their first meals. The tremendous amount of baking of bread, cookies, pies, doughnuts, "light cakes" etc.; all finished and the baked goods stored in the cold Pantry, the women folk could turn their attention to preparing the good, hot meals which might be served at midnight, early morning, or whenever the barges docked in the near-by eddy, known as "Keefer's Eddy", and the men could get to the tables.
Samuel had planted Willow Trees along the river bank, which were used to tie up the small craft used in landing. Heavy cobble or river stones were thrown on the path from the river to the house.
Huge crocks of yeast-raised buckwheat batter was made into cakes and served with home-made sausage, maple syrup, and coffee for breakfast. The most noursh­ing and sturdy foods were served so the men could withstand the cold winter and hard work on the river. A great respect and pride has to be felt for these good rustic inn-keepers. No conveniences and no easy way to do any of the services they provided for those rough and ready men.
The only liquor kept in "Uncle Sam's Lumberman's Home" was used strictly for medicine for colds and chills from the raw river winds.
Many times Indians who worked as bargemen were guests of Samuel and Mary. These were friendly Indians, whose home was the Cornplanter Reservation at the head of the Allegheny River. One Indian who became Chief of his tribe after the death of his father, formed a lasting friendship with Samuel and Mary. He used to make the journey down river with the first rafts, and instead of going on to Pittsburgh, he would stay and help with the work at the Lumberman's Home.
The large kitchen of this Home was the center of attraction for all the family. A spinning wheel and loom stood by the fireplace, where Mary and her daughters wove woolen material for clothes for the entire family, and blankets for bedding.

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Sources


1 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 57.

2 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 59.

3 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 9.

4 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 55.

5 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 62.

6 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 60.

7 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 83.

8 Estella B. Keefer, The Keefer Family: Jacob & Catharina 1791 - 1976 (Franklin, PA: Privately Published, 1976), Pg 87.


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