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James B Kifer
JAMES B. KIFER has been engaged in business at Leechburg continuously for a
period of thirty-five years, and has served twenty-seven years as a justice of
the peace, “Squire” Kifer being one of the best known men in this
part of Armstrong county. He was born at Leechburg, Nov. 9, 1856, son of
Joseph Kifer and grandson of Michael Kifer. His great-grandfather was a
resident of Westmoreland county, Pa., where he died.Michael Kifer was a native of Westmoreland county, and lived there about
two miles from Greensburg. He followed farming, and died upon his farm. It is
remarkable that the nine children born to him and his wife died in the same
order in which they were born.Joseph Kifer, son of Michael, was born March 3, 1809, near Greensburg,
Westmoreland Co., Pa., and when a young man learned the trade of hatter. When
improved machinery began to change the work, however, he gave it up and turned
his attention to gardening. In his later years he came to Leechburg, Armstrong
county, where he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred Aug. 20,
1882. He was a very large and strong man. In 1837 he married Anna C. Spang,
who was born June 25, 1818, daughter of Jacob Spang (born Feb. 2, 1769, and
died Oct. 12, 1847). Jacob Spang was of Berks county, a member of the family
whose members are heirs to the large Spang estate in Europe, which the Spangs
have long endeavored to get possession of. To Mr. and Mrs. Kifer were born
nine children, five of whom died in infancy, the others being: Lucinda,
Rosanna, Esther and James B.James B. Kifer received his education at Leechburg. When fourteen years old
he left high school and for the next seven and a half years was in the employ
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Leechburg, selling tickets. On Oct.
22, 1878, he opened the stationery store which he has ever since carried on.
It was the first establishment of the kind in the place and was a success from
the start, as its continued existence of thirty-five years would evidence. Mr.
Kifer is probably best known, however, in his capacity of justice of the
peace, to which office he was first appointed, Jan. 25, 1887, by Gov. James A.
Beaver, to succeed A. J. Elliott, who was then elected to represent this
district in the State Legislature. He has served continuously since, by
election and reelection, having been chosen by the people on five different
occasions. During his long period of service many cases have come up before
him for trial and he has disposed of his work in a manner highly satisfactory
to all concerned. He is one of those justices who believe in amicable
settlements whenever possible, and he always tries to have a case dismissed or
settled out of court if his persuasion can arrange it so. In fact it is
recognized that his efforts in this direction have saved many dollars to the
county and to individual litigants who have followed his advice. It is worthy
of note, and redounds to his credit, that in no case carried from his court to
a higher one in all the years of his service has his decision been reversed.
This is a record which is very creditable to both his legal and judicial
ability.Squire Kifer is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Leechburg
Lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M. (he was made a mason in 1889); to Kittanning
Chapter, No. 248, R. A. M.; Tancred Commandery; Pittsburgh Consistory, and
Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pittsburgh. He also holds membership in
the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and for eleven years
served as superintendent of the Sunday school.On Jan 19, 1881, Mr. Kifer married Elizabeth A. Kirkpatrick, daughter of
James and Sarah Kirkpatrick. They have two children, Mildred E. Bolar and
Albert Eugene.Source: Pages 801-802, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed October 1998 by James R Hindman for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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