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

1900 US Federal Census: Alfred B. KEPHART Family

Detail of 1900 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Kephart, Willie 27 M Head
Kephart, Alfred B 57 M
Kephart, Mary B 50 F
Kephart, Levi N 23 M
Kephart, Roscoe 18 M
Kephart, Mary [Ella] 14 F
Kephart, George [Earl] 12 M
Kephart, Verlie [Mae] 9 F

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Middletown, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T623_771; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 112.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

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.