Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-05
Mr.. SPEAKER.
Sketch Of J. Warren kcifer, the Rcpub-
Iican Candidate for Speaker.


Spcakcr-clcct, Joseph Warran kcifcr, was
born in Clark county, Ohio, and will be
forty-six years old next January; was
educated in the public schools and at An
tioch College lsbored on the farm and
taught Il term OF school; read law on tho
farm until the autumn of 1856 when ho
entered a law Office in Springfield; admit
ted Ia practice in l2jS and successfully
practiccd in Springfield, until he enlisted
i'm the army in 1861: was commissioned
major: participated in the battle of Rich
mountain the first Of the war; in the en-
vagcmcut al Cheat mountain and Elkwatcr,
Virrnia. in November with his regiment,
James Buell. in Kentucky, and spent the
winter following. In lsD2 he became
Lieut.. Colonel led the first expedition into
Georgia, destroyed the saltpetcr works and
made some captures. In September, lS62,
hc accepted a colonelcy Of the One
Hundred and Tenth Infantry, then in
camp in Ohio, and subsequently was
twice wounded in battle at Winchester.
Va, in June. 1867. He joined the Army
OF the Potomac, July. 1862. and was in the
pursuit of Lees army. In August, 1858, he
went with the Western troops 10 enforce
the draft and suppress the riot IN New
York CITY and Brooklyn, and returned in
September lie bore prominent part in
the battle oi Mirc Run and other minor
affairs that year. In March, 1861, he was
transferred to the Sixth Army Corpa. Al
the battle ui the Wilderness he was
wounded. the bal ,hatt"ring
both bones of the lett fore
arm. and disabled him until August, when
hc again AZ Harpcr's Ferry, resumed COM
mand of his brigade with his arm IN
sling He fought in tho battles of Opc-
anon. Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek. AT
on r.IrIun he VA, wounded by shell, but
not disabled His horse was shot under him
at Fishers Hill. He without orders, with his
command successfully assaulted the forti-
fled flank Of the enemy and captured many
prisoners and guns. Al Cedar Creek
ic commanded the Third Division Of the
Sixth Army corps. and distinguished hun
self for energy and gallantry, for which he
was brcycttcd Brigadlcr General. In DE
cembcr he rejoined the Army OF the Poto-
mar in front Of Petersburg and was posted
on the left Of the fortified line, and was
there actively engaged. In March, 1860,
he led the successful assault upon the enc
mics outline works, and WIS cDmplim"nt"d
=, ,.,..r,i a-I-.... .srru ~ ne charged win
his division in the final assault which carried
the main works and resulted III the capture
Of Petersburg, Richmond. and joined in tho
pursuit and capture Of Lee Army. Was
tr.vettrd MaiUr General for gallan, and
DISTINGUISHED services during the campaign
ending in the surrender Of the flsUrgent
commander. zen. T.. T.. Lee. and went with
his corps south toaid in the capture of John
son 'sarmv in North Carolina, and learningat
Daavile its contemplated surrender, with
a portion Di his stah pushed across the
country fifty miles 10 witness II. He left
tn. army Iuns y. 1855, and resumed tho
practice ui law at Springfield. On the un-
solicited recommendation OF Generals
Grant and Meade he was appointed Novem-
Der ~. i~GG Licutcnant-COlo OF the 2jth
|. : infantry, which appointment he de-
elincd. lie was in the Ohio Senate in 1861
-. Commander oil the department OF the
ohio Grand Army 0f the Republic IN
l-Gs-.U, Vice Commander-inthie
of thai organization in S2s.
wa. q trustee Of the ohio soldiers Orphan
home from April. loTO. 10 March. 1873 Az
institution he was chiefly instrumental IN
establishing He has been trustee oi An
,ineh college since June. i-73 has bees
president OF Iagonda national bank spring
field. Ohio. was delegate at large 70 ue
national Republican convention at '%inGn' men
matt. Iune 1875, and WAS elected IN Hhs,
and again in ISIS 10 CongHcsS ~ hepun-
licau. He married Miss Eliza stout, Oh
Springfield. March -. 1850. who, with tanr
! children, still survive.