Joseph Keepers[1]
Rank: Captain, Company E, 6th
Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery
Born/died: November 1822 – April 1902
Cause of death: old age
Residence at death: Newark, New Jersey
Served: August 31, 1864 –
June 13, 1866
Age at enlistment: 41
Claim filed: October 21, 1896
Remarks:
At enlistment, Joseph was described as 5’ 10 ˝” tall, a fair
complexion with blue eyes and dark hair.
He was a blacksmith in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. In his obituary it was noted, “… he, with
Colonel DuShane, organized the Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He was chosen captain of company E and
served throughout the Civil war in different capacities with distinction. He
was a member of the M. E. [Methodist Episcopal] church for many years and also
superintendent of the Sunday school.”[2]
In his declaration for
pension, Joseph stated that he was unable to earn support by manual labor. He was old and subject to fainting
spells. His application was approved,
and he received $12/mo. for “senility.”
Joseph married Elizabeth Shaw
on December 26, 1843, and they had ten children, eight of them living in
1897. Joseph’s first cousin, John V.
Keepers, was also born in 1822 in Connellsville. John V. served with the union as Captain of Battery B, West
Virginia Light Artillery.