Obit: (added by Bill Corl)

This community was greatly shocked on Sunday afternoon to learn of the sudden death of Captain Francis Marion McKeehan, of Centre Township. Before starting for Bloomfield to attend Sabbath school services in the Reformed church, he complained of a headache, but he thought it might wear off. He was unable to teach his class saying to the member he could not think. With two sons he started for home; when they had driven about a mile his son, William, noticed his head falling back. He sprang to his assistance, and with his brother, lifted him out of the carriage and carried him into the house of William Garlin. Dr. A.R. Johnson, of Bloomfield, was immediatly summoned, but the spark of life had fled before medical aid could reach him. His death was caused by apoplexy.
In early manhood Mr. McKeenan joined the Bloomfield Reformed church. He has ever been a consistant member, foremost in every good work. For many years he has been an elder, and was constantly kept in office-none performing the duties conscientiously and well. By his death Trinity Reformed Church has met an irreparable loss - in truth a pillar has fallen.
Of broad learning and wide reading, Capt. McKeehan was often sent to represent the Bloomfield charge in the ecclesiastical bodies of the church and frequently called upon to represent his fellow citizens in various capacities. In matters of agriculture he was a recognized authority, and at the time of his death was a member of the State Board of Agriculture and had frequently been appointed by Gov. Pattison to representive positions upon committees dealing with agricultural matters.
In politics Capt. McKeehan was a staunch Republican, firmly believing in and strongly upholding the doctrines of his party. Other than district offices he never held political position, but in late years his name had been frequently mentioned in connection with important civic honors.
Capt. McKeehan entered the service in defense of the Union on September 2, 1864, as Captain of Company E, 208th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He led his company through the Rebel hail of shot and shell to retake Fort Stedman. It tried the nerves of the stoutest heart, but the men of the 208th followed their fearless Captain and a glorious victory was achieved. Again in the battles in front of Petersburg, Virginia, Captain McKeehan led his men into the thickest of the fray. In this last engagement his company lost twelve men in killed and wounded. He was greatly respected by his company and his fellow officers.
As a soldier, as a citizen - in all the walks of life -Captain McKeehan did his duty fearlessly and conscientiously. His name was a synonym for honesty and integrity. By his death this community and country at large - even the state - has lost one of the best citizens. The writer has in him a life-long friend, and his death is felt as a personal loss.
He leaves a wife, seven sons, five daughters, seven sisters, and two brothers to mourn his sudden demise. The deceased was born in the month of October,1833,and was in his 61st year.
Funeral services were held at the late residence of the deceased, in Centre Township. Interment in the old graveyard in Bloomfield.

From "The People's Advocate & Press", March 28, 1894

Additional information courtesy of Denis Brandt:

The son of John & Margaret Ann (Lupfer) McKeehan, he married Margaret Ann Bealor and fathered Harry Hayes (b. 06/18/56), Samuel Kuhn (b. 04/14/58), Mary Bella (b. 12/09/59 - married Edward B. Whitcomb and Edwin Forrest Greenleaf-Hudson), Lincoln Scott (b. 07/17/61), Alilia Cora (b. 04/23/63 - married Francis Minich), Curtin Grant (b. @1865), Kathy Florence (b. 10/31/66 - married Emory Young), William Colliflower (b. 03/02/69), Anna Lucretia (b. 03/25/71 - married Samuel Clay), Addie Corinne (b. 03/25/73 - married William H. Horting), John Arthur (b. 08/15/76), and Don Oscar (b. 03/31/80). In 1860, he was a farmer living in Centre Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania, and stood 5' 6" tall with black hair and blue eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in August 1864, mustered into federal service at Harrisburg September 2 as a private with the 208th Pennsylvania Infantry, and the following day promoted to 2nd lieutenant and assigned duty as mustering officer for the regiment. He was promoted to captain of Co. E to date September 9, 1864, and honorably discharged with his company June 1, 1865.