Person:Anna Keefer (4)

Anna Mary Keefer

was born on 29 Jun 1880 at Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, United States, both parents born in PA.  Before 1898 Anna Mary Keefer first married Henry Daniel (Harry) Bonawitz.  She and Henry Daniel (Harry) Bonawitz were divorced before 1900 Little is known of Harry Bonawitz, except that when Nevein Bonawitz was born, or before, he relocated to Kansas. His family still lives in the Manhatten, Kansas, area. His countenance seemed to favor Nevin Bonawitz a great deal, so much that in some pictures they appear to be the same person. This information came from the Book of Bonawitz, and from Henry's son, Henry Bonawitz. One date of birth is August 24, 1876.  Her married name was Bonawitz.  On 20 Jan 1900 at Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, United States, Anna Mary Keefer's second marriage at the age of 19 was to John Adam Heller Jr age 22, son of John Adam Heller Sr and Catherine Weaver, listed as married "0" years in the 1900 census. They were second cousins through the Weaver family.  As of 20 Jan 1900, her married name was Heller.  

John Adam Heller Jr and Anna Mary Heller appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Upper Paxton Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 13 Jun 1900, listed as John E. and Anna M., they are renting their home, no children yet, and married 0 years.

John Adam Heller Jr and Anna Mary Heller appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Hegins twp., Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 23 Apr 1910, renting their home. Annie reports she is the mother of six children with five living after 10 years of marriage. They have three listed with them, Eva, Sallie and newborn Bessie. Also listed is John's step-son, Nevin Bonawitz. As of after 1918, her married name was Lucas. After 1918 at Pennsylvania, United States, Anna Mary Keefer's third marriage was to James Monroe Lucas James was an evil tempered person, who once chopped up a white horse with an axe while in a rage. Ultimately, his wife left him because of his vile temper. She died on 21 Jul 1941 at Valley View, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, United States, at age 61 more information: from Cancer. Her death date came from a baptismal certificate, since some of her grandchildren, including Ruth and Alma Bonawitz were baptized on the day their grandmother was buried, so she is mentioned there. When she died there was an argument, since some of the children complained that some one had purloined many of her possessions before the arrival of the rest of the family. One story from Minnie Long Fitting Bonawitz is that Annie was a grouchy woman, possibly because of her cancer. She had separated from her husband, Jim Lucas, and stayed with her daughter Mary before her death.

Anna Mary Keefer was buried at St. Andrew United Methodist Church Cemetery, Valley View, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, United States

1.   Rmhoward45@aol.com (WorldConnect).