52 Ancestors - Week 43 - Lost Contact

52 Ancestors – WEEK 43 – Lost Contact

By Cynthia Keefer Patton 

All my life I remember my mother telling me about her baby brother Melvin. How she missed him. How she really didn't get a lot of time living with him in their home because she married so young. How she wished he would keep in contact with her more.

She tried, but for whatever reason he was elusive. She only got occasional updates from our Grandmother Mahanna (Nana) on his whereabouts. We knew he married several times. We knew he had some daughters. We knew he lived in New York. We knew he worked as a fireman. My little brother Kevin Keefer also worked as a firefighter and Mom often commented on how "alike" he was to her own brother. His quiet reserved demeanor and his overwhelming kindness for others.

I was doing some broad searches on the Mahanna name last week and came across his obituary. I was looking for my cousins information, hoping to plan a reunion in the coming years. So I wasn't shocked to see he was gone. But sad. I also found his most recent wife's obituary. They had relocated to North Carolina from New York and that is where he spent his final days. 

Melvin Mahanna and older brother Donald, Jr. (home from his time in the service) Personal photo in possession of author

I wish I had known my Uncle Melvin better. I wish I had known his daughters. I hope I can contact them and try to overcome our lost contact.

His obituary confirms most of what I was told: https://www.27east.com/southampton-press/melvin-j-mahanna-of-north-carolina-and-formerly-of-north-sea-dies-june-26-2176721/   

52 Ancestors - Week 42- Full House

52 Ancestors – WEEK 42 – Full House

By Cynthia Keefer Patton 

Many of my paternal families had large families. There were LOTS of children. There MUST have been full houses where people congregated, ate, and slept. One of the families was Abram S. Keefer married to Susanna I. Miller. I am not certain but think his middle name may have been Stabutz or Stouffer which was his mother's maiden name.

    Abram S. Keefer, born 7 Mar 1847, Saltlick Township, Fayette, Pennsylvania. Married Susanna I. Miller, born 14 Feb 1854 in Pennsylvania in 1871. She died on 2 Oct 1925 in Bullskin Township, Fayette, Pennsylvania. Abram lived 17 more years and finally passed at the age of 95 on 17 Nov 1942 in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They had the following children:

1. George Washington Keefer, 1872-1931
2. Benjamin Franklin Keefer, 1874-1950
3. Elizabeth Keefer, 1876-1952
4. Minerva Keefer, 1878-1948
5. Daniel M. Keefer, 1880-1942
6. Cyrus M. Keefer, 1882-1910
7. Jacob Miller Keefer, 1884-1962
8. Grant Edward Keefer, 1886-1962
9. Sarah Jane (Sadie) Keefer, 1889-1957
10. Nevada Mae Keefer, 1892-1980
11. Harry Abraham Keefer, 1894-1976
12. Ethel Blanche Keefer, 1896-1976
13. Anna Manilla Keefer, 1898-1984
14. Lloyd Austin Keefer, 1901-1963

When he died, his obituary named off his large family. A full house.

The Daily American, Somerset, PA, 20 Nov 1942, p. 2; newspapers.com