An American Family History

Samuel LeFevre was born January 26, 1793 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob LeFever and Rebecca Bachtell.

In the War of 1812, he enlisted in the army and served to it's close.

He married Rebecca Kelsey about 1818. Rebecca was born on July 30, 1795 in Maryland.

Soon after their marriage, they moved near Hannibal, Missouri where they bought a farm.

Children of Samuel and Rebecca included:
Mary Jane LeFevre Pepper (1819 married Benjamin Franklin Pepper),
Elizabeth LeFevre Deskin (1821, married Isaac Deskin Elzea),
Rebecca Adelaide LeFevre Elzea (1824, married James Alexander Elzea),
Jacob Benton LeFevre (1826, died as an infant),
Emeline LeFever (1828),
Samuel Van Buren LeFevre (1832),
Sarah Ann LeFevre Keith (1835, married James H. Keith),
David Nelson LeFevre (1837), and
Victoria LeFevre Smith (1841, married Thomas J. Smith).

In 1835 when their son-in-law arrived in Hannibal. It was a town of less than 150 people. The buildings were rough frame or made of logs.

At the time of the 1850 census the family was living in Miller Township, Marion County, Missouri. The household consisted of Samuel age 57, Rebecca age 55, Mary Jane age 31, Elizabeth A age 29, Rebecca A. age 25, Emeline age 21, Samuel Van B. age 18, Sarah A. age 15, David N. age 13, and Victoria age 10.

At the time of the 1860 census the household was still in Miller Township. The post office was Hannibal. The household consisted of Samuel age 67, Rebecca R. age 65, Samuel V. B. age 27, David N. age 24 Emily age 30 and Victoria age 19. Samuel had enslaved a 20 year old woman.

In 1861, David enlisted as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War . He served under General Price for six months, but returned home after his service and took the oath of allegiance to the government. He was accused of participating in the "Anderson Raid," in which a number of Union men were killed. While under arrest, he was murdered while being taken to St. Joseph under military guard. He died October 8, 1864.

He died February 22, 1888 in Missouri. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported that

Samuel Lefevre, one of the oldest citizens of the county, died on Wednesday, and was buried yesterday afternoon at Bear Creek.

Rebecca died on March 13, 1891.

Children of Jacob LeFevre and Rebecca Bachtell David LeFevre Samuel LeFevre Isaac LeFevre (died young) Jacob LeFevre Margaret LeFevre Kelsey Mary LeFevre Rebecca L. LeFevre Swope John LeFevre Elizabeth LeFevre William LeFevre Sarah Ann LeFevre