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Member of Congress and President of the Lagonda National Bank, Springfield, Ohio, has long been one of Ohio's honored and distinguished citizens. He has born on Mad River, Clark County, Ohio, on the 30th of January, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Keifer. The father was a native of Maryland and had emigrated to Ohio and settled in Clark County, when the state was still in its infancy.

Mr. J. Warren Keifer was educated in the public schools and at Antioch College. Upon completing his Collegiate course he returned to the home farm and between the intervals of agricultural labor he devoted himself assiduously to the study of law. In 1858, he was admitted to practice and immediately opened an office at Springfield.

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Keifer, on the 19th of April, 1861, enlisted in defense of the Union, being among the first to proffer his services. On the 27th of April, 1861, he has commissioned major of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three months, and before the expiration of that time was commissioned for three years. He participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, on the 11th of July, 1861, and in the same year was on the field at Cheat Mountain and Elk Water, W. Va. On the 12th of February, 1862, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and was present at the capture of Bowling Green, Ky., Nashville, Tenn. and Huntsville and Bridgeport, Ala.

In April, 1862, he led an expedition into Georgia and performed an important service in destroying the salpetre Works at Cave. On the 30th of September, 1862, he was commissioned Colonel of the 110th Regiment, O. V. I., and being assigned to General Milroy's division in West Virginia, was placed in command of a brigade and the post of Moorefield.

He was wounded twice in the battle at Winchester, on the 13th, 14th and lath of June, 1863. On the 9th of July 1863, Colonel Keifer was assigned to the Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and fought at Wapping Heights. In August of the same year he was dispatched with his command to New York City to suppress riots and enforce the draft. This work successfully accomplished, he rejoined the army, and, on the 27th of November, 1863, he took part in the battle of Mine Run. On the 24th of March, 1864 he was transferred to the Sixth Army Corps, and, at the battle of Wilderness, on the 5th of May, 1864, he was seriously wounded, but, in August, following, in spite of his disability, he resumed command of his brigade. His adoring soldiers saw their commander with his wounded arm still in the sling, fighting at their head under General Sheridan and Wright through the battles of Opequon, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, down to Shenandoah Valley, having the horse shot from under him in the first named battle. Recognition of his bravery and indomitable courage was shown by President Lincoln, who brevetted him Brigadier General.

In December, 1864, with his own corps, General Keifer rejoined the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg, and on the 25th of March, 1865 he led a successful assault. On the 2nd of April he charged with his division in the final assault which carried the main works and resulted in the capture of Petersburg and Richmond. His corps was later sent to aid in the capture of General Johnston's army in North Carolina, and he was present at the capitulation of General Johnston, as he had been at that of General Lee. Thus ended his military career during the Civil War.

Many years later General Keifer added another page to his military achievements. In April, 1898, when war with Spain was declared, he was appointed a Major General by President McKinley and served in command of the Seventh Army Corps at Miami and Jacksonville, Florida. Embarking with sixteen thousand men to Cuba, he established his headquarters at Buena Vista, just outside the city of Havana. He was in command of the United States Military forces which took possession of Havana, on the 1st of January, 1899. In May of that year he was mustered out of the military service and resumed his law practice at Springfield.

General Keifer has been a life long faithful Republican, and as a Statesman he has won the commendations and admiration of his fellow citizens in equal degree as a soldier. From 1868 until 1870 he served with marked efficiency as a member of the Ohio State Senate. In 1876, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and in the same year was elected to Congress, where he served continuously until 1885. In December 1881, he was chosen Speaker of the House, serving in that capacity until March, 1883.

In 1904, General Keifer was again elected to Congress, representing the 7th Ohio District, and serving until 1912. On the 22nd of March, 1860, General Keifer was married to Eliza Stout. Three sons and one daughter were born to them, of which the sons survive.

From 1870 to 1878, General Keifer served as one of the Trustees of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, he having organized the Board of Control in 1868. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. and the Ohio Commandery Loyal Legion.

Since 1873, General Keifer is President of the Lagonda National Bank, at Springfield. He resides at 1220 East High Street, Springfield, Ohio.

Source: The book of Ohio, Vol II, Queen City Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio 1912

I am a family member of J. Warren Keifer... J. Warren Keifer was born on the site of the Mad River. True, but this is a river just outside of Springfield Ohio, and it is not a town in Ohio. He lived in Springfield Ohio and died there in 1932. He is buried in Ferncliff Cemetary located on the west side of Springfield... He was the Speaker of the House for the 47th Congress.