Introduction

This is a compilation of the information I have gathered on the descendants of Alfred Brunson KEPHART. I have included a little on his forefathers, but so far have not proven any records beyond the marriage of his grandfather, Henry Kephart, Jr. in 1794 at Lancaster, PA. The information concerning Henry, Sr. and Johan Georg Kephart is probably not correct. A descendant of Alfred Kephart's uncle Conrad is also working on trying to prove the line, so maybe between the two of us we will figure it out. However, there are many, many Kepharts, Gebharts, Capeharts, some related, some not; so it is a difficult process.

My research of the KEPHART family probably began in 1976 or 1977 when I inquired of the owner of the Kephart Music Store in Decorah, IA if he had ever done any research on his Kepharts. He hadn't but his sister had, so he gave me her address. I haven't found that we are related, but I was hooked on finding out as much as I could. About a year or two later I received a manuscript of the Kephart family history and I was on my way.

That manuscript I have typed and it is the first two pages of this booklet. I made no corrections in the information, though there are some errors, but the typing errors are all mine.

Towards the back of the booklet I have included some of the Civil War records of Alfred Brunson Kephart who served in Company H, 21st Iowa Infantry regiment from 1862 to 1865. I include a map of his travels, and also a copy of a letter which he wrote to his mother - you will note that it is dated 19 April 1865, but he apparently hadn't heard the war had ended or that President Lincoln had been assassinated for he didn't mention either fact.

I have included as much information as I have on each of the children of Alfred Brunson Kephart. Please let me know of any errors or omissions. I will try to continue to collect the information which I do not have, but not everybody is as interested in it as I am so some of my requests go unanswered. To those of you who have returned the information I have asked for, I thank you. Especially helpful over the years was my dad's Aunt Mae Rost who gave me much information, loaned me pictures so I could make copies and generally encouraged me.

Verla A. Williams
4333 Pine Ridge Trail NE
Iowa City, IA 52240.

[EDITOR'S NOTE (14 Mar 2018): Carl Ingwalson's extensive research into the 21st Iowa Infantry regiment cites a letter from Marion Griffin of Epworth to his brother indicating that the regiment did not receive the "sad intelligence" of President Lincoln's assassination until the evening of April 21, 1865 which is the reason Alfred would not have mentioned it in the letter to his mother.]

Ancestors of Alfred Brunson KEPHART (1842-1921)

Pedigree Chart. Alfred Brunson KEPHART (1842-1921).

Cpl. Alfred B. KEPHART

Cpl. Alfred B. KEPHART (c. 1863). Image courtesy of Mae Rost and Verla Williams.

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (1862)

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (1862). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Descriptive Book
of the organization named above.

DESCRIPTION
Age: 21 years; height: 5 feet 8 1/2 inches
Complexion: light
Eyes: grey; hair: dark
Where born: Iowa
Occupation: Farmer

ENLISTMENT
When: Aug. 22, 1862
Where: Cottage Hill
By whom: S. G. Van Anda; term 3 yrs.
Remarks: In battle Hartsville, Mo., Jan. 11/63. Port Gibson, Miss., May 1/63. Champion Hill, Miss., May 16/63. B. R. B., Miss., May 17/63. Assault of Vicksburg, Miss., May 22/63. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss. Siege of Jackson, Miss. in July 1863. Pro- (over)

moted to 8 Corp. June 1/63, to 7 Corp. July 1/63, to 6 Corp. Nov. 1/63. In siege of Spanish Fort and Blakely, Ala. in April 1865. Discharged in obedience to orders from War Dept. G. O. No. 64. M. D. W. M. at Baton Rouge, La., July 15, 1865.

R 21 Iowa
Alfred Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster-in Roll
of the organization named above. Roll dated
Dubuque, Ia., Sept. 9, 1862.
Where born: Iowa
Age: 21 yrs; Occupation: Farmer
When enlisted: Aug. 22, 1862
Where enlisted: Cottage Hill, Ia.
For what period enlisted: 3 years
Eyes: Grey; hair: Dark
Complexion: light; height: 5 ft 8 1/2 in.
When mustered in: Sept. 9, 1862
Muster-in to date: Aug. 22, 1862
Bounty paid: $25 due $ ___ 100
Premium paid: $2
Remarks:
Bookmark:


Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Aug-Dec 1862). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Aug. 23, to Oct. 31, 1862.
Present or absent: Absent
Remarks: Sick in quarters

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Nov. & Dec., 1862.
Present or absent: Present

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (1863)

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Jan-Jun 1863). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Jan. & Feb., 1863
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Mch. & Apr., 1863
Present or Absent: Not stated

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
Pvt, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Special Muster Roll
for Apr. 10, 1863
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
8 Corp., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for May & June., 1863
Present or Absent: Present
Remarks: Appointed 8th Corp. June 1 from the ranks.


Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Jul-Dec, 1863). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
7 Corp., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for July & Aug., 1863
Present or Absent: Present
Remarks: Appointed 7th Corp. July 1.

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
7 Corp., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Sept. & Oct., 1863
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
6 Corp., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Nov. & Dec., 1863
Present or Absent: Present

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (1864)

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Jan-Jun 1864). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
6 Corp., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Jan. & Feb., 1864
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
5 Corpl, Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Mar. & Apr., 1864
Present or Absent: Not stated

R 21 Iowa
Alford Kephart
5 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for May & June., 1864
Present or Absent: Present

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Jul-Dec 1864). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alford B. Kephart
5 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for July & Aug., 1864
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
5 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Sept. & Oct., 1864
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
6 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Nov. & Dec., 1864
Present or Absent: Present

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (1865)

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (Jan-Apr 1865). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
6 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Jan. & Feb., 1865
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
6 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for Mar. & Apr., 1865
Present or Absent: Present


Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War Service Records (May-Jul 1865). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
6 Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll
for May & June, 1865
Present or Absent: Present

R 21 Iowa
Alfred B. Kephart
Corpl., Co H, 21 Reg't Iowa Infantry
Age: 21 years
Appears on Co. Muster-out Roll, dated
Baton Rouge, La., July 15, 1865.
Muster-out to date: July 15, 1865.
Last paid to: Feb. 28, 1865.
Clothing account last settled: Dec. 31, 1864.
Am't for cloth'g in kind or money adv'd: $34.08/100
Bounty paid: $25; due $75.
Remarks: Ent'd serv. orgl. [illegible] Pvt. promoted Corpl June 1/63. Stop [illegible].

Alfred Brunson KEPHART's Civil War gun

On 12 Mar 2010 I received the following email from my mom:

Just reading thru the letters in my folder labelled Don Allen. It was his folks that I met once in Farley, IA, and we went to the Cottage Hill Cemetary. We also met another distant relative, and I haven't checked back (yet) to see where she comes in, by the name of LaVerne Strief. Anyway, in one of his letters to me he says the letter of A.B. to his mother is in the possession of this LaVerne and on a visit there (he lives in Alberquerque, NM) he made a copy of it and sent it to me. So that's how I got the copy.

He also says that his dad had a gun, the kind that was used in the Civil War. Only his grandpa hadn't been in the war, so he assumed that the gun could have belonged to A.B. He said his dad gave it to a Todd Kimberly, who lives in Waterloo (I checked White Pages), but at the time that Don was writing to me, Todd was 38 and not married so he would have no one to pass it on,too. So he was going to tell him about me, that I had 2 sons (we had exchanged family info) and the gun could be passed on to us. I heard nothing more. This correspondence was all taking place 20 years ago, or so. Don's parents both have died, so then my connection with them kinda stopped.

Interesting?

Of course, I thought it was interesting. So I googled Todd Kimberly, found an address and wrote to him. I received a reply from his wife Nicki, who is also a genealogy buff, and she confirmed that they had the gun and also sent the following pictures in addition to a picture of Francis Marion Allen's family.


Civil War era gun. Image courtesy of Nicki Kimberly.


Detail of Civil War era gun. Image courtesy of Nicki Kimberly. Engraving reads, "1864, U. S. Springfield."

We unfortunately have no confirmation that this is A. B.'s gun, but the thought that it might be is certainly exciting.

Letter from Alfred to Susan KEPHART (19 Apr 1865)

Letter from Alfred to Susan KEPHART (19 Apr 1865), p. 1. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Letter from Alfred to Susan KEPHART (19 Apr 1865), p. 2. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Letter from Alfred to Susan KEPHART (19 Apr 1865), p. 3. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Camped at Spring Hill, Alabama.
April 19th, 1865

Dear Mother,

I take my pen in hand to rite you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter which I received. I was very glad to hear from you. [I]t is six miles to Mobile from here. I would rather lay here than in the city we have offended[?] water. We are doing picket duty. We are in the first Brigade and first Division of the 13th army Corps. We have good command[ers]. Gen Slack commands our brigade, Gen Veach commands the Division and Gen Granger commands the Corps. [T]he Citazens appears to be very glad that [we] have come. [T]hey treated [us] well. We captured 4100 men at Blakely and Spanish Fort and 1300 here at Mobile including four Generals and 250 peaces of artilery and lots of small arms and Coten[?]. I think the war will soon be over. Well I believe I have riten all I can think of now. rite soon. When these few lines comes to hand I hope they may find you all well as they leave me att present. I send my best respects to you all.

from your most affectonate Son,

A. B. Kephart

1870 US Federal Census: 'Bronze' and Naugle KEPHART's Families

Detail of 1870 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, Bronze [Alfred Brunson] 27 M [Son of Naugle]
Kephart, Mary 21 F
Kephart, Bertie 1 F
McIntosh, Robert 24 M
McIntosh, Lavinia 23 F [Daughter of Naugle]

Kephart, Nogle [Naugle] 72 M
Kephart, Susan 67 F
Shirk, Mary E. 11 F

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Concord, Dubuque, Iowa; Roll M593_389; Page: 44A; Image: 92; Family History Library Film: 545888.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data:

• 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
• Minnesota census schedules for 1870. NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

Obituary: Naugle KEPHART (5 May 1884)

Obituary. Naugle KEPHART (Died 5 May 1884). Dubuque Times (7/8 May 1884). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Death of an Old Settler

Mr. N. Kephert, of Concord township, died at half-past 12 o'clock Monday, in his 86th year. He was one of the prominent pioneers of that township, and leaves a wife and eight children, among whom are, Mrs. Michael Haney, who resides in Pennsylvania; Bronson Kephert, in Minnesota; Milton, of Spirit Lake; Henry, in Texas; Mrs. Glew, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Wm. Rebman, of this city. The remaining children are at home. Mr. Kephert was born in Pennsylvania. He came to Dubuque county about forty years ago, settled on a farm in Concord township, an lived an honorable, upright life up to the time of his death. He was sick but twelve days. His funeral will occur this morning.

Connections between the KEPHART, MEYERS, GLEW, and BROWN Families

Descendants Chart. Naugle and Alfred B. KEPHART, Henry M. Meyers, Joseph Glew, and Wellman N. Brown. Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

Alfred Brunson and Mary Brown (Meyers) KEPHART

Mary Brown Meyers and Alfred Brunson KEPHART (Jackson, MN: Date unknown). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Family Group Sheet for Alfred Brunson KEPHART (1842-1921)

Husband: Alfred Brunson KEPHART

Born: 25 Jul 1842
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Married: 26 Dec 1867
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Died: 21 Dec 1921
Place: Lakefield, MN
Husband's Father: Naugle KEPHART
Husband's Mother: Susan JONES

Wife: Mary Brown MEYERS

Born: 3 Jun 1849
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Died: 28 Aug 1936
Place: Lakefield, MN
Wife's Father: Henry M. MEYERS
Wife’s Mother: Sarah KNEPPER

---

Children

1. Bertha KEPHART

Born: 23 Apr 1869
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: Herbert Eugene PALMER
Married: 30 Nov 1898
Died: 5 Dec 1962

2. Lottie KEPHART

Born: 9 Mar 1871
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: George Edward BLAKEY
Married: 21 Nov 1894
Died: 27 May 1964

3. Leroy KEPHART

Born: c. 1872
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Died: Bef 1885

4. Wilthorn "William" KEPHART

Born: 13 Feb 1873
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: None
Died: 31 Aug 1961

5. Levi Naugle KEPHART

Born: 10 Jun 1876
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: Carrie Mae BROWN
Married: 16 Nov 1904
Died: 13 Jul 1968

6. Mable Della KEPHART

Born: 22 Oct 1878
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: Roscoe W. BROWN
Married: 28 Jun 1898
Died: 17 May 1899

7. Roscoe Conklin KEPHART

Born: 13 Mar 1881
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Spouse: Clara VILMO
Married: 7 Jul 1909
Died: 9 Jan 1965

8. George W. KEPHART

Born: c. 1883
Place: Dubuque Co., IA
Died: Bef 1895

9. Mary Ella KEPHART

Born: 1 Mar 1886
Place: Jackson Co., MN
Spouse: Earnest PEARSON
Married: 26 Dec 1906
Died: 15 Mar 1981

10. George Earl KEPHART

Born: 15 Apr 1888
Place: Jackson Co., MN
Spouse: Clara Martha ROST
Married: 20 Dec 1911
Died: 23 Jan 1944

11. Verly Mae KEPHART

Born: 21 Jan 1891
Place: Jackson Co., MN
Spouse: Reinholdt Robert ROST
Married: 8 Nov 1911
Died: 20 Apr 1989

12. Alfred KEPHART

Born: c. 1893
Place: Jackson Co., MN
Died: Bef 1900

1880 US Federal Census: Alfred B. KEPHART Family

Detail of 1880 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, Alfred B. 39 M
Kephart, Mary 29 F
Kephart, Bertha 11 F
Kephart, Lottie 9 F
Kephart, Wilten [Wilthorn] 7 M
Kephart, Levy 5 M
Kephart, Della 2 F

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Concord, Dubuque, Iowa; Roll T9_337; Family History Film: 1254337; Page: 63.4000; Enumeration District: 168; Image: 0850.

Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls.

1885 MN Census: A. B. KEPHART and Jessie Pearson Families

The Pearson family that appears below the Kepharts is notable in that Earnest E. Pearson (5 yrs old in 1885) married (Mary) Ella Kephart (not yet born in 1885) on 26 Dec 1906.


Detail of 1885 MN Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

A. B. [Alfred Brunson] Kephart 42 M
Mary Kephart 30 F
Bertha Kephart 16 F
Lottie Kephart 14 F
Willie [Wilthorn/William] Kephart 12 M
Levi Kephart 9 M
Mabel [Della] Kephart 7 F
Roscoe Kephart 4 M
George W. Kephart 2 M
Joseph Myers 28 M

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data:

• Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
• Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.
• Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Declaration for Invalid Pension and Affidavits

Declaration for Invalid Pension (24 Jun 1892). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Minnesota, County of Jackson, ss:

On this 24 day of June, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two, personally appeared before me, [Alfred Kephart crossed out] J. A. Goodrich [?], a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Alfred B. Kephart, aged 58 years, a resident of the town of Peterburg, County of Jackson, State of Minnesota, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Alfred B. Kephart, who was ENROLLED on the 22 day of August, 1862, in Company H Twenty first Regiment as a private Iowa Infantry in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Baton Rouge La, on the 15 day of July 1865.

That he has not been employed in the Military or Naval service otherwise than as stated above.

That he is unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of weak eyes and Rheumatism, heart Disease, and general disability [?]. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has not applied for pension under application No. ___. That he is a pensioner under Certificate No. ___. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension-roll of the United States, under the provision of the Act of June 27, 1890.

He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, JOHN WEDDERBURN, OF WASHINGTON, D. C., his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim, the fee to be TEN DOLLARS, payable as prescribed by law.

That his POST OFFICE ADDRESS is Jackson, County of Jackson, State of Minnesota.

Alfred B. Kephart (Claimant's Signature)

1. Albert Jackson
2. Birt Withers (Two witnesses who write sign here.)


General Affidavit. John W. Ridler (28 Apr 1894). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Iowa, County of Dubuque, ss:

In the matter of Pension Claim of AB. Kephart # Co H 21st Regt. Iowa Infty Vols.

ON THIS 28th day of April A. D. 1894, personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to admininister oaths, John W. Riddler, aged 53 years, a resident of [Dubuque crossed out] Farley in the County of Dubuque and State of Iowa, well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

That he has known claimant all his life. We were raised as boys together, went to school together and enlisted together in the same Company, and served together during the war, that when we were mustered we were both stripped together and examined by the doctor, and we were tent mates, and often saw him naked, and that prior to his enlistment he was a sound and ablebodied a man as could be found, to the best of my belief based upon the knowledge obtained as above stated. He further says that the above statements were made to T. J. Paisley, at his office in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, on the above date and that the same were written in my presence from my oral statements then made, that in making the same he was aided by, or did not use, or prompted by any written or printed statement, or recital prepared or dictated by any other person, but only from his own knowledge.

His Post Office address is Farley, Dubuque Co. Iowa.

He further declares that he has no interest in said case and he is not concerned in its prosecution.

John W. Ridler (Signature of Affiant).


General Affidavit. Joseph Meyers and Joshua Kidney (c. May 1894). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Minnesota, County of Jackson, ss:

In the claim for pension of A. ["lfred" added] B. Kephart, late of Co. H, 21st Regiment, Iowa Regt. Volunteers.

Personally came before me, a Clerk of the District Court in and for aforesaid County and State, Joseph Meyers, aged 33 years, and Joshua Kidney, aged 64 years, citizens of the Town of Jackson, County of Jackson, State of Minnesota, well-known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

Joseph Meyers says that he has known claimant for past 20 years, has lived with and was his during said time, have known him intimately;

Joshua Kidney has known claimant intimately during past 11 years - house [?] visited him frequently and have met him every few days during all this time. [D]uring all the time we have known him he has had no vicious habits of any kind. [D]uring one acquaintance with claimant he has been troubled with Rheumatism disease [?] of recent cause 2 yrs. And that same are not due to vicious habits.

We consider that by reason of his disabilities claimant is three quarters disabled for the performance of manual labor since July 12th 1892.

[illegible] that the above statement was dictated by us to [illegible], the Clerk of the District Court and written by him in our presence as dictated. That we did not use and were not prompted by any written or printed statement but that the above statement was dictated by us to said Clerk [?].

We further declared that we have no interest in said case, and are not concerned in its prosecution.

Joseph Meyers
Joshua Kidney (Signatures of witnesses.)


General Affidavit. William Glew (13/23 May 1894). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Iowa, County of Dubuque, ss:

In the matter of Pension claim of A. B. Kephart Co. H. 21st Regt. Iowa Inft Vols.

ON THIS [illegible]3th day of May A. D. 1894, personally appeared befored me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths William Glew aged 73 years, a resident of Cottage Hill in the County of Dubuque and State of Iowa, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

That he has known claimant all his life, and that prior to his enlistment he was a sound and able bodied man so far as he knew. That such knowledge of him was gained by his being intimately aquainted [sic] with him. He further states that the above statements were made to [illegible] Stuart at his office at Cottage Hill, Iowa on the above date and that the same were written in my presence and from my oral statement then made, that in making the same he was aided by or did not use or prompted by any written or printed statement or recital prepared or dictated by any other person, but only from his own knowledge.

His Post Office address is Cottage Hill Dubuque County Iowa. He further declares that he has no interest in said case and he is not concerned in its prosecution.

William Glew (Signature of Affiant.)

Military and Medical History Request (12 Oct 1894)

Military and Medical History Request (Washington, DC: Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 12 Oct 1894). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

1895 MN Census: A. B. KEPHART Family

Detail of 1895 MN Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, A. B. [Alfred Brunson] 52 M
Kephart, Mary 46 F
Meyer[s], Joe 33 M
Meyer[s], Geo. 31 M
Kephart, Bertha 25 F
Kephart, Wilthorn 22 M
Kephart, Levi 19 M
Kephart, Mabel 16 F
Kephart, Roscoe 14 M
Kephart, Ella 9 F
Kephart, Earl 7 M
Kephart, May 5 F
Kephart, Alfred 2 M

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data:

• Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
• Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.
• Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Additional Pension and Supporting Documents (1898-1915)

Pension Questions (Washington, DC: Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 15 Jan 1898). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Certificate No., 879.556
Name, Alfred B. Kephart
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C., January 15, 1898

SIR:

In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.

Very respectfully,
H. [illegible] Evans,
Commissioner of Pensions

First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.

Answer. Yes Mary Brown Meyers

Second. When, where, and by whom were you married?

Answer. Dubuque Iowa Wm Glew Justice of Peace

Third. What record of marriage exists?

Answer. A mariage [sic] certificate

Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.

Answer. no

Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.

Answer. yes Bertha Born April 23 '69; Lottie March 9 '71; Whilthorn february 13 '73; Levi Naugle June 10 '76; Della Oct 22 '78; Roscoe March 13 '81; Mary E. March 1 '86; George Earl April 15 '88; Verly May Jan 21 '91

Alfred B. Kephart (Signature)


Sarah Allen Affidavit (14 Apr 1913). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Iowa, Dubuque Co. ss:

Sarah Allen, being duly sworn, says that she is a resident of Farley, in County and State aforesaid; that she is a daughter of Naugle Kephart, deceased, and a sister of Alfred B. Kephart, now resident at Lakefield, Minnesota, who was a member of Co. "H", 21 Iowa Inf. That the said Naugle Kephart during his lifetime, kept a birth register, the same being kept in a blank book, kept for that purpose; that said record is now in my possession; that the following entry appears therein, as to the said Alfred B. Kephart: "Alfred B.[runson added] Kephart, Born July 25th., 1842."

That there are no erasures in connection with the said entry, and that said entry is the original entry made by the said Naugle Kephart; and that it bears no marks of alteration, or erasure, or tampering of any kind; and that from the appearance of the entry and the writing thereof, affiant believes that said entry was made at the time it purports to have been made, to-wit: about July 25th., 1842.

Sarah Allen (Signature)

State of Iowa, County of Dubuque, ss:

I, Geo. A. Giblis, a notary public for said County and State, do hereby certify that, on the 14 day of April, 1913, the said Sarah Allen, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, appeared before me and made oath that the facts therein stated are true; and I further certify that the said family record referred to in said instrument was duly exhibited to me, and that the entry referred to appears in said record, to all appearances in accordance with all the facts stated in the foregoing instrument.

Geo. A. Giblis
Notary Public
My commission expires 6 [date unfinished]


Pension Questions (Washington, DC: Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 2 Jan 1915). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C., January 2, 1915

SIR:

Please answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below. The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your widow or children. Use the inclosed envelope, which requires no stamp.

Very respectfully,
G. [illegible]
Commissioner

ALFRED B. KEPHART
LAKEFIELD, MINN.
879556

No. 1. Date and place of birth? Answer. Cottage Hill, Dubuque County, Iowa.
The name of organizations in which you served? Answer. Company H, 21 infantry Vol.

No. 2. What was your post office at enlistment? Answer. Cottage Hill.

No. 3. State your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer. Mary Brown Meyers

No. 4. When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer. 25th of December 1867. By William Glew, Justice of Peace, Cottage Hill.

No. 5. Is there any official or church record of your marriage? The marriage Licence were recorded. If so, where? Answer. At Dubuque, Dubuque Co. Iowa.

No. 6. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce. If there was more than one previous marriage, let your answer include all former wives. Answer. no

No. 7. If your present wife was married before her marriage to you, state the name of her former husband, the date of such marriage, and the date and place of his death or divorce, and state whether he ever rendered any military or naval service, and, if so, give name of the organization in which he served. If she was married more than once before her marriage to you, let your answer include all former husbands. Answer. no

No. 8. Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation? Answer. yes.

No. 9. State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead. Answer. Bertha Kephart Born April 23th [sic] 1869. Lottie, Born March 9th 1871. Whilthorn, Born Feb 13th 1873. Levi Naugle, Born June 10th 1876. Mable, Born Oct 22th 1878. Roscoe, Born March 13th 1881. George W., Born June 23th 1883. Mary Ella, Born March 1th 1886; George Earl, Born April 15th 1888. Verlie May, Born Jan 21th 1891. Alfred B. Jr. Born July 14th 1893.

Date March 29, 1915 (Signature) Alfred B. Kephart