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KEEFE, James Herbert (1852-1908) |
KEEFE, James Herbert 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Although James consistently indicated in records that he was born in New York (and his obituary lists his birthplace as Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York), we have been unable to find any record of his birth there. Nor does he appear on any census records in which he should appear in Herkimer County. It is possible that the informant gave incorrect information for his obituary. Clearly, James is the son of Irish immigrants, but his birth information and parentage remain a mystery. However, information from old family sources tells us that James' family originated from Cork County, Ireland. No siblings or other relations appear with James on any record, and I suspect that he immigrated alone from Ireland, perhaps orphaned during the Famine.
James married Lillian Almeda CRARY, daughter of Stephen Christopher CRARY and Susan Eliza RANDALL, on 10 Dec 1876 in Davis, Stephenson County, Illinois.1 (Lillian Almeda CRARY was born on 2 Apr 1858 in Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, died on 28 Feb 1919 in Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois and was buried in Feb 1919 in Oakland Cemetery, Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois.) |
1 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (Stephenson County, Illinois). Surety: 4. Marriage of J.H. Keith to Lillian A. Crary [spelled Crarey] on 10 Dec 1876 in Stephenosn County. License #133.
2 1870 US Census (Finsman, Cuyahuga County, Ohio). Repository: Ancestry. Surety: 3. Lists James Keefe (as James Keith, age 23) living in the household of a O.S. Fond (age 30), wife Mary (age 25) and O.S.'s brother Fred (age 32). O.S. is listed as an "engine builder." Fred is listed as an "engine builder." James is listed as a "R.R. employee." James indicates that he was born in New York. O.S. and Fred indicate that they were born in Massachusetts. James was clearly on his own at a young age, and there is no indication of any brothers or other family traveling west with him.
3 Marriage Application - James Keefe/Lillian Crary (State of Illinois, Stephenson County). Surety: 4. James signed as J.H. Keith.
4 Marriage License - James Keefe/Lillian Crary (State of Illinois, Stephenson County). Surety: 4. James signed as J.H. Keith.
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James Herbert Keefe, Declaration/Explanation of wrong name on marriage cert. (State of Illinois, Stephenson County). Surety: 4. "James H. Keefe of lawful age being first duly sworn deposes and says that he did on 6th day of December a.d.1876 make application to the County Clerk of Stephenson County Illinois for a license of marriage between himself and Lilian Crary of Davis, Stephenson County, Illinois; that instead of signing his lawful name he did on said application sign his name as J.H. Keith. He further states that the reason for signing his name as aforesaid was that among his acquaintances in Davis, Illinois he was known and always called "Keith" and that he signed his name thus incorrectly aforesaid from no evil intent. And further deponent say it now.
J. H. Keefe.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 day of August a.d. 1878.
H. Kleckiev(?)"
6 Certificate of Death (State of Illinois, Stephenson County). Surety: 4
7 1880 US Census (District 185, Davis, Stephenson County, Illinois). Repository: Ancestry. Surety: 4. Lists James Keefe [only census record in which he uses his true name] (age 30, b. NY), wife Lilly [Crary] (age 22, b. IL [incorrect]), and children Dora (age 4, b. IL) and Herbert (age 2, b. IL), living in Davis, Illinois. James is listed as a "machinist," and indicates that both his parents were born in New York. Lilly indicates that both her parents were born in Ohio.
8 1900 US Census (District 98, Harlem, Stephenson County, Illinois). Repository: Ancestry. Surety: 4. Lists James Keith (age 48, b. Mar 1852, NY), wife Lillian [Crary] (age 42, b. Apr 1858, OH), and children Herbert (age 21, b. Jun 1878, IL), Randall (age 18, b. Sep 1881, IL), Bertha (age 16, b. Mar 1884, IL), Walter (age 14, b. Apr 1886, IL), James (age 8, b. Mar 1892, IL), Howard (age 6, b. Nov 1894, IL) and Lillian (age 1, b. Jul 1898, IL), living in Harlem, Illinois. On this census, James indicates that he and both of his parents were born in New York. James is listed as a "station engineer." Sons Herbert and Randall are both listed as "machinists." James and Lillian indicate that they have been married for 23 years, and have had 8 children, all living.
9 Freeport Daily Journal (Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois), Page 4, Col. 3. Surety: 4. The friends of Mr. and Mrs. James Keith will be sorry to learn that a baby boy that was born to-day lived but a few hours.
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Cause of his death was Immediate: Locomotor Ataxia, Contributory: Cardiac Failure.