Newspaper article 18 October 1907 (from the scrapbook of N. K. Ployd):
VETERAN RESERVE OFFICER STEPS OUT
Lieut. Sylvester Keyser Reties After Long and Faithful Service
Lieutenant Sylvester Keyser, of the Reserve Force, after a service of more than-thirty-two years in the Philadelphia Police Department, tendered his resignation to Director of Public Safety Clay on Tuesday last, and at the 6 o'clock roll-call bade his men an official good-bye. With all the reserve policemen formed in a square in the roll-room of City Hall, Superintendent John B. Taylor announced the resignation of Lieutenant Keyser, and in warm words praised the worth of the retiring head of Philadelphia's "Finest." Lieutenant Keyser then shook hands with his men, exchanging a few cordial and heartfelt words with each.
Lieutenant Keyser was respected and beloved by his subordinates in a marked degree, and his official farewell was attended by several touching incidents, one of which is thus described by an eye-witness of the parting: "As he clasped, the hand of William Search the lieutenant's eyes filled with tears, as did those of Search. Both wept like children. Keyser and Search had been partners a generation ago. Both were members of the original reserve corps.
Lieutenant Keyser was appointed a member of the Reserve Force on August 15, 1875, by Mayor Stokley. He was promoted sergeant January 28, 1888, and lieutenant September 2, 1892. He was born February 6, 1843, in Germantown, where his family and ancestors lived for over 200 years, his uncle John S. Keyser, having been Marshal of Philadelphia for many years previous to the war of the Rebellion. At the outbreak of the war young Keyser enlisted in Co. E, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being the first man who signed in Berry County; Michigan. He served until peace was restored, and was commended in general orders on three different occasions for bravery on the battlefield.
As Lieutenant of Reserves he has served under eight Mayors—Stokley, King, Smith, Fitler, Stuart, Ashbridge, Weaver and Reyburn, and he retires with a clean, efficient and honorable record, and the well wishes of an army of true and sincere friends.
Lieutenant, in the words of the Immortal Rip, may you live long and prosper.
Obituary, 1916: Major Sylvester Keyser:
Major Sylvester Keyser, a veteran of the Civil War, former lieutenant of the police reserves, and a member of one of the oldest Germantown families, died Tuesday night at his home, 4949 Rubicam Avenue, after an illness that began last March. Mr. Keyser, who was born in Germantown in 1842, was a descendant of Dirck Keyser, who came to this country from Holland and was one of the original settlers and owners of land in
Germantown. As a youth, Mr. Keyser left for the West and later became a member of the Second Michigan Regiment and participated in thirty-eight battles in the Civil War. He was wounded twice and before the war closed he was brevetted major. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Saturday) at 2 o'clock from the old Keyser homestead, 5922 Germantown Avenue. Born 6 February 1843, died 24 October 1916, buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery.
VETERAN RESERVE OFFICER STEPS OUT
Lieut. Sylvester Keyser Reties After Long and Faithful Service
Lieutenant Sylvester Keyser, of the Reserve Force, after a service of more than-thirty-two years in the Philadelphia Police Department, tendered his resignation to Director of Public Safety Clay on Tuesday last, and at the 6 o'clock roll-call bade his men an official good-bye. With all the reserve policemen formed in a square in the roll-room of City Hall, Superintendent John B. Taylor announced the resignation of Lieutenant Keyser, and in warm words praised the worth of the retiring head of Philadelphia's "Finest." Lieutenant Keyser then shook hands with his men, exchanging a few cordial and heartfelt words with each.
Lieutenant Keyser was respected and beloved by his subordinates in a marked degree, and his official farewell was attended by several touching incidents, one of which is thus described by an eye-witness of the parting: "As he clasped, the hand of William Search the lieutenant's eyes filled with tears, as did those of Search. Both wept like children. Keyser and Search had been partners a generation ago. Both were members of the original reserve corps.
Lieutenant Keyser was appointed a member of the Reserve Force on August 15, 1875, by Mayor Stokley. He was promoted sergeant January 28, 1888, and lieutenant September 2, 1892. He was born February 6, 1843, in Germantown, where his family and ancestors lived for over 200 years, his uncle John S. Keyser, having been Marshal of Philadelphia for many years previous to the war of the Rebellion. At the outbreak of the war young Keyser enlisted in Co. E, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being the first man who signed in Berry County; Michigan. He served until peace was restored, and was commended in general orders on three different occasions for bravery on the battlefield.
As Lieutenant of Reserves he has served under eight Mayors—Stokley, King, Smith, Fitler, Stuart, Ashbridge, Weaver and Reyburn, and he retires with a clean, efficient and honorable record, and the well wishes of an army of true and sincere friends.
Lieutenant, in the words of the Immortal Rip, may you live long and prosper.
Obituary, 1916: Major Sylvester Keyser:
Major Sylvester Keyser, a veteran of the Civil War, former lieutenant of the police reserves, and a member of one of the oldest Germantown families, died Tuesday night at his home, 4949 Rubicam Avenue, after an illness that began last March. Mr. Keyser, who was born in Germantown in 1842, was a descendant of Dirck Keyser, who came to this country from Holland and was one of the original settlers and owners of land in
Germantown. As a youth, Mr. Keyser left for the West and later became a member of the Second Michigan Regiment and participated in thirty-eight battles in the Civil War. He was wounded twice and before the war closed he was brevetted major. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Saturday) at 2 o'clock from the old Keyser homestead, 5922 Germantown Avenue. Born 6 February 1843, died 24 October 1916, buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Newspaper article 18 October 1907 (from the scrapbook of N. K. Ployd):
VETERAN RESERVE OFFICER STEPS OUT
Lieut. Sylvester Keyser Reties After Long and Faithful Service
Lieutenant Sylvester Keyser, of the Reserve Force, after a service of more than-thirty-two years in the Philadelphia Police Department, tendered his resignation to Director of Public Safety Clay on Tuesday last, and at the 6 o'clock roll-call bade his men an official good-bye. With all the reserve policemen formed in a square in the roll-room of City Hall, Superintendent John B. Taylor announced the resignation of Lieutenant Keyser, and in warm words praised the worth of the retiring head of Philadelphia's "Finest." Lieutenant Keyser then shook hands with his men, exchanging a few cordial and heartfelt words with each.
Lieutenant Keyser was respected and beloved by his subordinates in a marked degree, and his official farewell was attended by several touching incidents, one of which is thus described by an eye-witness of the parting: "As he clasped, the hand of William Search the lieutenant's eyes filled with tears, as did those of Search. Both wept like children. Keyser and Search had been partners a generation ago. Both were members of the original reserve corps.
Lieutenant Keyser was appointed a member of the Reserve Force on August 15, 1875, by Mayor Stokley. He was promoted sergeant January 28, 1888, and lieutenant September 2, 1892. He was born February 6, 1843, in Germantown, where his family and ancestors lived for over 200 years, his uncle John S. Keyser, having been Marshal of Philadelphia for many years previous to the war of the Rebellion. At the outbreak of the war young Keyser enlisted in Co. E, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being the first man who signed in Berry County; Michigan. He served until peace was restored, and was commended in general orders on three different occasions for bravery on the battlefield.
As Lieutenant of Reserves he has served under eight Mayors—Stokley, King, Smith, Fitler, Stuart, Ashbridge, Weaver and Reyburn, and he retires with a clean, efficient and honorable record, and the well wishes of an army of true and sincere friends.
Lieutenant, in the words of the Immortal Rip, may you live long and prosper.
Obituary, 1916: Major Sylvester Keyser:
Major Sylvester Keyser, a veteran of the Civil War, former lieutenant of the police reserves, and a member of one of the oldest Germantown families, died Tuesday night at his home, 4949 Rubicam Avenue, after an illness that began last March. Mr. Keyser, who was born in Germantown in 1842, was a descendant of Dirck Keyser, who came to this country from Holland and was one of the original settlers and owners of land in
Germantown. As a youth, Mr. Keyser left for the West and later became a member of the Second Michigan Regiment and participated in thirty-eight battles in the Civil War. He was wounded twice and before the war closed he was brevetted major. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Saturday) at 2 o'clock from the old Keyser homestead, 5922 Germantown Avenue. Born 6 February 1843, died 24 October 1916, buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery.
VETERAN RESERVE OFFICER STEPS OUT
Lieut. Sylvester Keyser Reties After Long and Faithful Service
Lieutenant Sylvester Keyser, of the Reserve Force, after a service of more than-thirty-two years in the Philadelphia Police Department, tendered his resignation to Director of Public Safety Clay on Tuesday last, and at the 6 o'clock roll-call bade his men an official good-bye. With all the reserve policemen formed in a square in the roll-room of City Hall, Superintendent John B. Taylor announced the resignation of Lieutenant Keyser, and in warm words praised the worth of the retiring head of Philadelphia's "Finest." Lieutenant Keyser then shook hands with his men, exchanging a few cordial and heartfelt words with each.
Lieutenant Keyser was respected and beloved by his subordinates in a marked degree, and his official farewell was attended by several touching incidents, one of which is thus described by an eye-witness of the parting: "As he clasped, the hand of William Search the lieutenant's eyes filled with tears, as did those of Search. Both wept like children. Keyser and Search had been partners a generation ago. Both were members of the original reserve corps.
Lieutenant Keyser was appointed a member of the Reserve Force on August 15, 1875, by Mayor Stokley. He was promoted sergeant January 28, 1888, and lieutenant September 2, 1892. He was born February 6, 1843, in Germantown, where his family and ancestors lived for over 200 years, his uncle John S. Keyser, having been Marshal of Philadelphia for many years previous to the war of the Rebellion. At the outbreak of the war young Keyser enlisted in Co. E, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being the first man who signed in Berry County; Michigan. He served until peace was restored, and was commended in general orders on three different occasions for bravery on the battlefield.
As Lieutenant of Reserves he has served under eight Mayors—Stokley, King, Smith, Fitler, Stuart, Ashbridge, Weaver and Reyburn, and he retires with a clean, efficient and honorable record, and the well wishes of an army of true and sincere friends.
Lieutenant, in the words of the Immortal Rip, may you live long and prosper.
Obituary, 1916: Major Sylvester Keyser:
Major Sylvester Keyser, a veteran of the Civil War, former lieutenant of the police reserves, and a member of one of the oldest Germantown families, died Tuesday night at his home, 4949 Rubicam Avenue, after an illness that began last March. Mr. Keyser, who was born in Germantown in 1842, was a descendant of Dirck Keyser, who came to this country from Holland and was one of the original settlers and owners of land in
Germantown. As a youth, Mr. Keyser left for the West and later became a member of the Second Michigan Regiment and participated in thirty-eight battles in the Civil War. He was wounded twice and before the war closed he was brevetted major. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Saturday) at 2 o'clock from the old Keyser homestead, 5922 Germantown Avenue. Born 6 February 1843, died 24 October 1916, buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
