Alfred Brunson and Mary KEPHART's Family

Alfred Brunson and Mary KEPHART's family (c. 1903). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.
From left: Will, Mae, A. B., Verland Blakey, Lottie (KEPHART) Blakey, Orville Blakey, Earl, and Mary.

1910 US Federal Census: A. B. KEPHART Family

Detail of 1910 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, A. B. 68 M
Kephart, Mary 59 F
Kephart, William 36 M
Kephart, Earl 21 M
Kephart, Mae 18 F

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Lakefield, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T624_697; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 102; Image: 93.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls.

Alfred Brunson and Mary KEPHART Family Portrait

Alfred Brunson and Mary KEPHART family portrait (1916). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.
Front row: Bertha, Alfred, Mary, and Mae. Back row: Lottie, Will, Levi, Ross, Earl, and Ella.

1920 US Federal Census: William, Alfred, and Mary KEPHART

Detail of 1920 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, William 51 M
Kephart, Alford [Alfred] B 77 M
Kephart, Mary 70 F

Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Lakefield, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T625_841; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 104; Image: 282.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 on roll 323 (Chicago City) Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, 2076 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Declaration for Pension (21 Jul 1921)

On 31 May 1921, Alfred Brunson Kephart suffered a paralytic stroke. His wife, Mary, filed the Declaration for Pension seen below.


Declaration for Pension (21 Jul 1921). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

STATE OF Minnesota, COUNTY OF Jackson, ss:

On this 21st day of July, A. D. 1921, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, within and for the county and State aforesaid, Mary Kephart, wife of Alfred B. Kephart, who being duly sworn according to law, declares ["said Alfred B. Kephart" added] that he is 79 years of age, and a resident of Lakefield, county of Jackson, State of Minnesota; and that he is the identical person who was ENROLLED at Cottage Hill, Iowa, under the name of Alfred B. Kephart on the 22nd day of August, 1862, as a Private in Company H - 21st Regt. Iowa Vol. Inf. in the service of the United States, in the Civil War, and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Baton Rouge, La., on the 15th day of July, 1865. That he also served ____.

That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, ___ inches; complexion, ____ color of eyes, ____; color of hair, ____; that his occupation was ____; that he was born ____, 18__, at _____. Have no data available, and his condition is such that no information can be had from him.

That he requires the regular personal aid and attendance of another person on account of the following disabilities: Had paralytic stroke, and left paralyzed. Can move left hand a little, but can't walk, or talk, help himself in any way. Can understand but little of what is said to him. Has been in this condition since the stroke on May 31, 1921. He is confined to his bed entirely, except when we set him up in a reclinging wheelchair for short periods.

That since leaving the service he has resided at Lakefield, Jackson County, Minnesota, and his occupation has been farming until he retired when couldn't work any more.

That he has ___ applied for pension under Original No. ___. That he is ___ a pensioner under ["Reissue" added] Certificate No. 879.556. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of May 1, 1920.

(1) H. H. Sontag (Signature of first witness)
Lakefield, Minn.
(2) O. Thoreson (Signature of second witness)
Lakefield, Minn.

Mary Kephart (Claimant's signature in full)
Lakefield, Minnesota

SUBSCRIBED and sworn to before me this 21st day of July, A. D. 1921, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to the applicant before swearing, including the words "on opposite page" erased, and the words "on opposite page", added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

O. Thoreson (Signature)
Notary Public, Jackson Co., Minn.
My commission expires Jan. 15, 192 [illegible]
Lakefield, Minnesota

Obituaries: Alfred Brunson KEPHART

Obituary. Alfred Brunson KEPHART. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

OBITUARY OF THE LATE ALFRED B. KEPHART

Again it is our sad duty to chronicle the death of one of the best friends and neighbors that it has ever been our privilege to know and to enjoy. This time it is the passing of a grand and good old man, Mr. Alfred B. Kephart who passed away at his home in Lakefield, just at midnight on December 20th, 1921, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years, four months and twenty-five days.

Mr. Kephart served his country faithfully for over three years in the Civil war. He enlisted as a volunteer in 1862 and nobly did his part until close of the war in 1865 when he received an honorable discharge. He took an active part in scores of battles, one of which was the memorable battle of Vicksburg.

On December 26th, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Meyers of Penn Oak, Iowa.

This happy union was blessed with five daughters and seven sons. One daughter and three sons preceded him in passing to the Great Beyond.

He is survived by a devoted wife, four sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Bertha Palmer of Glenburn, N. D.; Mrs. Lottie Blakey and Mrs. Ella Pearson of Jackson; Levi Kephart of Revere, Minn.; Mrs. May Rost, William, Roscoe and Earl Kephart of Lakefield.

He also leaves to mourn his demise one aged brother, Milton Kephart of Lakefield, and two sisters, Mrs. William Meyers of Manchester, Iowa, and Mrs. Marion Allen of Farley, Iowa, and nineteen grandchildren.

Mr. Kephart with his family moved to Jackson county in the fall of 1883 and have lived in the county continuously ever since.

They resided at Loon lake for nearly twenty years. In 1905 they moved to a farm near Lakefield which they occupied for a couple of years. Then they retired from the farm and purchased a cozy home in Lakefield, where the family still resides.

Mr. Kephart had been a great sufferer but bore his sufferings with great fortitude. On May 31, he suffered a stroke of paralysis which rendered him entirely helpless and totally deprived him of the power of speech. He retained his mental faculties to the last and was conscious of all that was done for his comfort and was so mutely grateful that it was pitiful. His fortitude and courage was wonderful to witness. He was a good soldier to the last and died bravely.

The funeral services were held in Lakefield on F'riday and burial was made in Riverside cemetery in Jackson. Rev. Harvey of the M. E. church of Lakefield officiated.

Mr. Henry Beck of Jackson spoke a few words giving a beautiful tribute to the deceased. The floral offerings were many and beautiful and bore silent testimony of the love and esteem of his hosts of friends.

The American Legion had charge of services at the grave.-Contributed.


Obituary. Alfred Brunson KEPHART. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

A. B. KEPHART FUNERAL HELD FRIDAY BURIED AT JACKSON
Resident of Jackson County 37 Years, Of Lakefield 14 Years

Alferd B. Kephart, son of Naugel and Susan Kephart, was born at Penn Oak, Dubuque county, Iowa, July 25, 1842, and died at his home in Lakefield December 20, 1921, aged 79 years, four months and 25 days.

Mr. Kephart spent his boyhood days on the homestead farm in Dubuque county. He responded to the first call for volunteers and enlisted September 22, 1862. He served with loyal devotion with Co. H, Twenty-first Infantry Reg. of Iowa. Some of the battles in which he took part were Beaver Creek, Champion Hills and Siege of Vicksburg.

He was mustered out on July 15, 1865, and returned to his home in Dubuque county, Iowa. He was married to Mary B. Meyers December 26, 1867, and they began housekeeping on the old home farm in Dubuque county.

They moved to Jackson county in the spring of 1884 and made a home in Middletown township, in the Loon Lake neighborhood, where they resided 23 years and gained the good will, respect and love of their neighbors. The family moved to Lakefield in December, 1907, and this city has since been honored by their residence in it.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Kephart, four of whom preceded the father to the land of rest, namely: Leroy, George, Alfred and Mrs. Della Brown. Surviving him are the deeply, bereaved, widow, four daughters and four sons, namely: Mrs. Bertha Palmer, Glenburn, N. D., Lottie Blakey and Mrs. Ella Pearson, Jackson; Levi, of Revere, Minn.; William, Roscoe, Earl and Mrs. May Rost of this city. He is also survived by his brother Milton of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Allen, Farley, Iowa, and Mrs. Fanny Meyers, Manchester, Iowa; also several grandchildren and other relatives.

Mr. Kephart never suffered any serious illness until he was stricken with paralysis May 31, 1921. His was a life of quiet rectitude. All his days of toil were so mixed with the joy of living and the happiness of communion with his family and friends that it was a pleasure to meet and talk with him. The sad part of his last illness was that he was denied the pleasure of speaking to his loved ones and the friends who called on him. But through this last fatal illness he was a patient sufferer and seemed to greatly appreciate every act of kindness and flowers which were often sent him. He had the constant loving care of his devoted wife and children.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. F. H. Harvey of the Methodist church, who spoke comforting words from the text: II Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” It was a fitting text for the Civil War veteran, neighbor and friend, whose body was in the casket, but whose spirit had departed to its eternal abiding place. Rev. Harvey was assisted by Mr. Henry Beck of Jackson, a former neighbor of the family, who spoke of the high esteem in which the family were held in their old home and that the departure of the loved father brought heaven a little nearer to them.

Six members of the local American Legion post were pall bearers and accompanied the body to Jackson where burial was made in the family plot. A score or more of relatives braved the bitter cold to accompany the body to its final resting place.

The passing of Mr. Kephart marks the passing of another soldier from the already thin ranks of our rapidly disappearing Civil War veterans.

Kephart Gravestones: Riverside Cemetery

KEPHART gravestones. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Gravestone: Alfred Brunson KEPHART

Gravestone. Alfred Brunson KEPHART, Co. H, 21st Iowa Inf. (1842-1921). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Declaration for Widow's Pension (13 Jan 1922)

On 21 December 1921 Alfred Brunson Kephart passed away. His wife, Mary, soon after applied for a widow's pension. It and the supporting documents can be found below:


Declaration for Widow's Pension (13 Jan 1922). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Minnesota, County of Jackson

On this 13th day of January, 1922, personally appeared Mary Kephart before me the undersigned, who makes the following declaration as an application for pension under the provisions of the act of Conress approved May 1, 1920.

That she is 72 years of age, that she was born June 3, 1849 at Dubuque County, Iowa, and that her post-office address is Lakefield, Minnesota.

That she is the widow of Alfred B. Kephart, who ENLISTED August 22, 1862, at Cottage Hill, Iowa, under the name of Alfred B. Kephart, in Co. H. 21st Regiment, Iowa Vol. Infantry, and was honorably DISCHARGED July 15, 1865, having served ninety days or more, or was discharged for, or died in service of the United States of a disability incurred in the service in the line of duty, during the CIVIL WAR, and who DIED December 21, 1921, at Lakefield, Minn.

That he also served in ____ and that, except as herein stated, said soldier (or sailor [crossed out]) was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States; THAT SHE WAS MARRIED to said soldier (or sailor [crossed out]) December 25, 1867, at Dubuque County, Iowa, by William Glew, that she had not been previously married, that he had not been previously married;

That she was not divorced from the soldier (or sailor [crossed out]) and that she has NOT remarried since his death;

That the following are the ONLY children OF THE SOLDIER (or sailor [crossed out]) who are now living and are under sixteen years of age; None

That she has not heretofore applied for pension, the number of her former claim being ____; that said soldier (or sailor [crossed out]) was a pensioner, the number of his pension certificate being 879.556.

(1) Wm Kephart (Signature of first witness)
Lakefield, Minnesota
(2) O. Thoreson (Signature of second witness)
Lakefield, Minnesota

Mary Kephart (Claimant's signature in full)
Lakefield, Minnesota

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of January, 1922, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to the applicant before swearing, including the words "or sailor" erased, and the words ____ added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

O. Thoreson
Notary Public, Jackson County, Minn.
My Commission expires [illegible] 15th, 1927
Lakefield, Minnesota


Certified Copy of Death Register. Alfred B. Kephart (21 Dec 1921). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.



Affidavit Re: Marriage of B. Kephart to Mary Meyers (12 May 1922). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


B. Kephart--25 to Mary Meyers--18

On application of said Kephart and satisfactory proof license issued this 16th day of December 1867. The marriage of the above named parties was solemnized on the 26th day of December 1867, by William Glew, a Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF IOWA, Dubuque County, ss:

I, M. J. Grace, Clerk of the District Court in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and compared copy and transcript of the record of marriage of B. Kephart and Mary Meyers, as the same appears of record and on file in my office.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said courty at my office in the city of Dubuque this 12th day of May 1922.

M. J. Grace Clerk District Court
By Geo. Wieger Deputy


Affidavit of James Rost (23 May 1922). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF JACKSON, ss.

James Rost being first duly sworn, deposes and say that he now is and for more than thirty years last past has been a resident of Lakefield, in the County of Jackson, State of Minnesota; that during all of said time he has been personally well acquainted with Alfred B. Kephart and Mary Kephart, his wife; that he knows that during all of said time and until the death of the said Alfred B. Kephart, the said Alfred B. Kephart and Mary Kephart were continuously living together as husband and wife in the Village of Lakefield ^ and in the vicinity of Lakefield, in said County and State, and that they continued so to live as husband and wife until the death of the said Alfred B. Kephart; that they were never divorced.

James Rost

Subscribed to before me this 23rd day of May, 1922.
O Thoreson
Notary Public, Jackson County, Minn.
My Commission expires Jan. 15th 1927.


Affidavit of C. M. Tradewell (23 May 1922). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The text of the above affidavit is identical to that of James Rost above.

1930 US Federal Census: Mary B. and William KEPHART

Detail of 1930 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, Mary 80 F
Kephart, William [Wilthorn] 57 M

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Lakefield, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll 1103; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 15; Image: 224.0.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.