J. Warren Keifer

Joseph Warren Keifer
Vintage Black and White photo of a bearded man with a suit
30th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
In office
December 5, 1881 – March 3, 1883
President Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by Samuel J. Randall
Succeeded by John G. Carlisle
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879
Preceded by William Lawrence
Succeeded by Ebenezer B. Finley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881
Preceded by John A. McMahon
Succeeded by Emanuel Shultz
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1885
Preceded by Ebenezer B. Finley
Succeeded by John Little
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 7th district
In office
March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1911
Preceded by Thomas B. Kyle
Succeeded by James D. Post
Personal details
Born January 30, 1836
Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio
Died April 22, 1932 (aged 96)
Springfield, Ohio
Political party Republican
Alma mater Antioch College
Profession Law
Signature
Military service
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861–1865, 1898–1899
Rank Major General
Unit 3rd Ohio Infantry Regiment
Commands 110th Ohio Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Corps
7th Army Corps (1898–1899)
Battles/wars American Civil War
Spanish–American War
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Joseph Warren Keifer (January 30, 1836 – April 22, 1932) was a major general during the Spanish–American War and a prominent U.S. politician during the 1880s. He served in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from Ohio from 1877 to 1885 and from 1905 to 1911. From 1881 to 1883, he was also Speaker of the House.

Early life

Keifer was born in Clark County, Ohio. He attended school at Antioch College then returned to his family's farm. While working as a farmer he devoted his spare time to studying law. He began his law practice in Springfield, Ohio, January 12, 1858.

Civil War

He enlisted in the 3rd Ohio Infantry, a three-months regiment, being appointed major. He served in western Virginia fighting in the battles of Rich Mountain and Cheat Mountain and afterward was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the regiment. When his term expired, he joined the 110th Ohio Infantry and became its colonel. He served in the Eastern Theater leading his regiment at the second battle of Winchester. While the Union army was soundly defeated and most of it surrendered, Keifer's regiment was able to avoid capture. Following the battle of Gettysburg Keifer was assigned to brigade command in the III Corps and fought at the battle of Wapping Heights. After Robert E. Lee's army had retreated to safety in Virginia, Keifer and his regiment were dispatched to New York City to help suppress the draft riots.

Keifer returned to the Army of the Potomac in time for the Overland Campaign. He was wounded in the arm at the battle of the Wilderness, putting him out of action for a time. When he did return to active duty he was placed in command of the 2nd Brigade in James B. Ricketts' 3rd Division of the VI Corps. He led his brigade at the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill. During the battle of Cedar Creek, VI Corps commander, Horatio G. Wright temporarily commanded the Army of the Shenandoah and Rickets temporarily in command of the corps. This put Keifer in command of the 3rd Division in Ricketts' absence. When Philip H. Sheridan heroically returned to command the army in the midst of the battle, returning Wright to corps command, Ricketts had already been wounded leaving Keifer in command of the division for the rest of the battle. For his service during the Shenandoah Valley campaign he was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers on October 19, 1864.

When the VI Corps returned to the Army of the Potomac General Truman Seymour was placed in command of the 3rd Division and Keifer returned to command the 2nd Brigade, taking part in the breakthrough at Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign.

Political career

Following the Civil War, Keifer returned to Springfield and resumed his law practice. From 1873 until his death, he served as a trustee of Antioch College. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and the next year went to Congress. From 1881 to 1883 during the 47th United States Congress, Keifer served as the 34th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Spanish–American War

During the Spanish–American War, President William McKinley appointed Keifer major general of volunteers on June 9, 1898. He commanded the 7th Army Corps and the American forces that marched into Havana after Spanish forces withdrew on Jan. 1, 1899.[1]

Return to Politics

After returning to private life on May 12, 1899, he published Slavery and Four Years of War, in 1900. The book was both a commentary on the history of slavery in the United States as well as an autobiography of his experiences during the Civil War. He served as the first commander in chief of the United Spanish War Veterans from 1900 to 1901 and in 1903 and 1904 as the Ohio commander of the Loyal Legion.[2]

He again ran and was elected to Congress and served from March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1911.

Later life

After his political career, Keifer again resumed his law practice and served as the President of the Lagonda National Bank in Springfield, Ohio. He died April 22, 1932 at the age of 96 in Springfield, and is buried in Springfield's Ferncliff Cemetery.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Joseph Warren Keifer Biography". Ohio Judicial Center. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  2. ↑ "KEIFER, Joseph Warren - Biographical Information". United States Congress. Retrieved 6 September 2010.

Further reading

External links

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J. Warren Keifer
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