Keen, Charles Cenica 1861 - 1929

KEEN, BRODBECK, SCOTT, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/17/2020 at 10:18:10

Clayton County Register, Thur., 04 Apr. 1929. From the North Iowa Times, undated.

On Thursday, March 14th, Charles Cenica Keen, son of the late George Keen, pioneer Iron Manufacturer, who invented the "Pontoon Cable Chain System," for bridges and built the only successful bridge across the Mississippi river at Marquette, Iowa, died at the hospital in Chicago, from pneumonia.

The late Charles Keen was very well known here, as well as he was known in Chicago where his host of friends mourn his passing.

The deceased was born on July 20, 1861, at North McGregor, now Marquette, Iowa. His late mother was Mary Brodbeck Keen of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

Charles Keen first attended the North McGregor school, then he enrolled at the McGregor high school, for four years. During his high school career he was considered by J. J. Mapel, then Superintendent of schools, as the most brilliant mind who ever was in attendance at that time. winning the prizes in scholarship successively, he was chosen Class Orator in his senior year and graduated with all the honors this local high school could then bestow on any student.

In the fall of 1881, he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In his freshman class were such personages as Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and many other well known Chicagoans.

During his sophomore year there, he had two honors bestowed on him, that of "Editor-in-Chief" of the Michigan Daily, the University paper, which he held during all his college days, and was charter member of the "Sigma Nu" Fraternity chapter which was just being organized. Much time he gave to his fraternity in organization and helped lay the firm foundation upon which the chapter now exists. He was president of this chapter for three years.

When a senior, he was a prominent man on the Michigan campus and was elected to write the "Class Prophesy" for his graduating exercises of the Class of 1885. It was a memorable event as he was also chosen by his class to lead the Grand March, the duty of which was to escort the wife of the president of the University. The president at that time was the now late Dr. Angell. This he did with credit to himself and for this town which he represented.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, he went to Chicago. There he was associated for many years with the late Dr. Thompson, specialist. Later he located in New York where he was for many years, but later in life he returned to his Chicago home and his many friends. There continuing his long practice of medicine and surgery up to a few years ago when he retired.

The late Charles Keen is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Emma Keen Scott of Iron Mountain, Michigan; Amanda Keen Campbell, of Los Angeles, Calif.; a brother, Henry A. Keen, of Tampa, Florida, and a niece, Miss Lucille Scott of Iron Mountain.

Interment took place Friday afternoon, March 22, from the Spaulding Undertaking parlors, Rev. Parsons, pastor of the First Congregational church officiating. Mrs. Scott and daughter Lucille, accompanied the body to the grave, where the last rites for the deceased were held.

Mr. Keen was laid to rest beside his late father in the family lot at Pleasant Grove cemetery. - North Iowa Times.