My Genealogy Hound

MICHAEL O’KEEFE, merchant, Putnam, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1833, the eldest of the six children of John and Mary (Dillon) O’Keefe, also natives of that county. John O’Keefe, who was a farmer, immigrated to America with his family in 1852, landing in New York; thence came to Pittsburgh, and died at a ripe old age, in 1869; his wife died in 1846. Michael O’Keefe was educated under the national school system of Ireland. Being born on a farm, it was his desire to follow agricultural pursuits, as his father had done, but owing to circumstances he never engaged in the occupation of his choice. For many years he was employed in Pittsburgh, and by industry and application won the confidence of his employers. He was several times promoted, and held positions of trust. He came to Mansfield in 1872 for the purpose of buying a farm, but failing in this purchased the Chartiers hotel. In 1884 he erected a brick block in Chartiers with a frontage of 106 feet by 60 deep, three stories high, the finest set of buildings in the borough. Mr. O’Keefe married, in 1858, Mary O’Donnell, daughter of Patrick O’Donnell, of Ireland, and seven children have been born to them, all of whom are living: Mary, Kate, John, Patrick, Maggie, Ellen and Michael, Jr. Mr. O’Keefe has been a member of the council, and has served in many other official positions. In religion he is Catholic; in politics a democrat.