The Keefer family of the town of Glenville, Schenectady county, represented in the present generation by Charles Keefer, is of German ancestry founded in that county prior to the year 1800.
(II) Albert Keefer, son of the founder, was born in Schenectady county in 1812, died in the town of Glenville, same county, March 6, 1882. He had a sister Lois, who married Abraham Sitterly. After becoming a widow she removed to Canada with her son George, who married and remained there. Of her two other sons, Albert never married, and Abraham, who was of a roving disposition, disappeared from the family's knowledge. Albert Keefer was a farmer of Glenville, industrious and prosperous. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and a Democrat. He married Catherine Compton, born in Glenville in 1832, died January 1, 1900, daughter of Daniel Compton. Daniel Compton was a mason by trade, and with his wife lived to a good old age, dying in Glenville. They were respected members of the Dutch Reformed church. Children of Albert and Catherine (Compton) Keefer:
- George, connected with the Scotia fire department; married Isabella Schumacher, of Scotia, and has two children, George (2) and Bessie.
- Charles, see forward.
- William, born in Glenville, January 23, 1875; educated in the town schools; is employed with his brother in the cultivation of the Glenville farm; is unmarried.
- Albert (2), died aged thirteen years.
- Jane Ann, born in Glenville, died shortly after her marriage to Charles Consaul, of Scotia, leaving a daughter Jennie May, who died in infancy.
- Lois, born in Glenville; married Charles Wells, and resided in Amsterdam; children: Leroy, Cecil, St. Elmo, Adelaide.
(III) Charles, second son of Albert and Catherine (Compton) Keefer, was born in Glenville, Schenectady county, New York, January 28, 1870. He was educated in the public schools, and was reared on the farm of his father. He has continued in Glenville all his years, and is the owner of "Cherry Hill farm," one of the finest properties of the town. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, and in addition maintains a dairy. The farm and neighborhood are noted for fine cherries, hence the name "Cherry Hill." He has introduced modern methods in his farming operations, and receives good returns from his industry and practical business methods. He is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an active interest in town affairs. He married December 24, 1892, Agnes Middleton, born in Church-Gresley, Staffordshire, England, February 22, 1875. At the age of fifteen she came to the United States with her mother, settling in Troy; her father, Thomas L. Middleton, born in Leicestershire, England, was accidentally killed by a railroad train in England in 1889, at the age of thirty-seven years. He was the son of William Middleton, born and died in England. Thomas L., married Louisa Jane Willis, born in England, now a resident of Schenectady. She married (second) Leonard Tandy, born in England, to whom she bore a daughter, Anna, September 7, 1893. Children of Thomas L., and Louisa Jane (Willis) Middleton were:
- William, died in England, aged five years.
- Agnes, married Charles Keefer, see forward.
- Louisa Jane, born 1878, married Charles Smith, of Schenectady; children: Raymond, William, Charles and Blake.
- Ernest, a machinist of Bridgeport, England, married Mary Lyon; child, Ernest William.
- Beatrice, married Arthur Christian, employed at the General Electric Works, Schenectady; son, Kenneth.
- Thomas, married Emma Hoppman, children: Charles T. and William.
Children of Charles and Agnes (Middleton) Keefer, all born in Glenville:
- Jennie M., October 23, 1893;
- Beatrice, January 5, 1895;
- William A., March 6, 1896;
- Agnes Sylvia, December 10, 1897;
- Lurena E., September 4, 1900;
- Margaret Emma, August 6, 1908.