Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-04-27
An Aged Resident Passes Away.


Mr.. John H. Keesecker, one of the
Oldest residents OF Shepherdstown, died
at his home in this place on Monday
night, al the advanced age OF SO years.
He enjoyed good health and retained
possession Of his faculties until few
months ago, when his strength began to
fail Several weeks ago he took to his
bed, and gradually the bodily ills increased
until at last he passed into the long sleep,
retaining his consciousness almost until
the last. Mr.. Keesecker was a native OF
Berkeley county, having been born at
HedgeSVille. When he was little boy
only few years of age he was brought
to Shepherdstown for visit to his rela-
tives. Uncle John and Aunt Betsy Boroff.
He was so pleased here that when he
was taken back home he fretted and pinned
to such an extent his parents let him re-
turn tor another visit, and he would never
afterward leave his kind foster parents.
The famous old Boroff blacksmith shop,
which Henry Bedinger immortalized in a
poem. was his delight, and il was only
with the greatest difficulty that he could
be induced to attend school. Mr.. Borott
finally yielded TO his desire and allowed
him 10 learn the blackSmith'S trade, and
many OF us yet remember MIN as he stood
in the quaint old shop on frog island,
with leathern apron on, and with lusty
blows forged at the anvil the shoes for
FESTIVE horses. MIR. KeeSecker was a
good man, exemplary IN all his ways,
kind-hearted and genial and OF the highest
integrity. With good word for every
body, considerate and gentle, he had
many friends and not an enemy. We
have long known and liked him. and it is
with sorrow that we note his passing.
Surviving him are his wife, and the fol-
lowing children: Jacob c. KeeSecker, OF
Colorado; Miss Bette Keesecker and
Mrs. VIM. I. Link, of this place and
Mrs. c. w. Phelps and Mrs. Chas. F.
Kruger, of Toledo, Ohio. The funeral
took place this morning at his home. The
service being conducted by his pastor,
Rev. s L. Flickinger The iHterment
was in the Reformed Cemetery.
OTHER DEATHS.
Mrs. Leah Elizabeth Reynolds, wife Of
Henry c. Reynolds, died last Sunday at
her home in Hagerstown, after a few
days illness OF pneumonia, aged 81 years.
Mrs. Reynolds was former resident OF
ShepherdStoWn and most OF her long life
was spent in this place until the family
moved to HagerStoWn some years ago.
She was good woman and was men,
Der of the Lutheran Church. Besides her
husband, she is survived by daughter,
Mrs. Bertha Bennett, and two sons,
Willard Fillmore Reynolds and Charles
McClelland REYNOLDS. The body was
buried in Hagerslown on Tuesday.
Stephen P. Kretzer,a native ofSharps-
burg, died at his home in Westfeld, n.
] last Sunday, aged &c years. Mr.
Kretzer was civil engineer by profess
sion, and had for many years been con-
nected with the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road. Besides his widow. who was
formerly Miss Bessie McCombS, he is
survived by the following sisters: Mrs.
Jacob McGraw, Mrs c. w. Adams and
Miss Maria Theresa Kretzer, all OF Sharps
burg; and Mrs Elizabeth SelsS, Of Bal
timore His body was taken to Wash
ington, Pa, for burial.
Mrs. Amanda Brown, aged rs years,
widow OF Gustav Brown, OF Charles
Town, died yesterday in hospital in
Richmond, Va. She had lived in Rich
mond since the death OF her husband
seventeen years ago. Although she had
long been cripple and aninvalid, she out
lived three husbands.
John Keller, well known resident OF
Bolivar, this county "a Confederate veteran,
died last Wednesday night. Two daugh-
tiers survive him.
Mrs. Emory Allen died last Thursday
in Bolivar, this county, after a long i'll
ness. Her husband survives her.