Keenan, Thomas 1836-1903

KEENAN, DUFFIE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/23/2008 at 21:02:34

From: Le Mars Sentinel, November 6, 1903

DEATH OF OLD RESIDENT

THOMAS KEENAN OF JOHNSON TOWNSHIP DIES AT HIS HOME ON MONDAY

Thomas Keenan, one of the pioneer residents of Plymouth County, died at his home in Johnson Township, on Monday afternoon. He had been ill for some time with dropsy. He was a suffered for many years with rheumatism. For the past two months it was known that his condition was hopeless. He bore his sufferings with fortitude and met his end with calmness and resignation surrounded by the members of his family.

Thomas Keenan was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1836, and came to the United States with his parents, at the age of nine, locating at Stanford, Conn. In 1845 [missing] where he resided until 1857 when he went to Galena, Ill., to make his home.

He was united in marriage in 1858 with Miss Anna Duffie and they made their home near Darlington, Wis., where they resided until 1872 when they came to Le Mars and engaged in business, conducting a general store on the site now occupied by the Grand Central Hotel. In 1873 Mr. Keenan homesteaded land in Johnson Township which he has occupied since, acquiring more land and making himself and family a fine farm home.

Eight children were born to Mr. & Mrs. Keenan. The aged mother with six children survive him. Bernard died in 1883 and his son Peter, this summer. The children are Mrs. Chas Riffle, Mrs. P. W. O’Brien, J. T. Keenan, of Le Mars, James T. Keenan, who resides on the home place, Mrs. Chris Peterson, of Beresford, S.D., and E. P. Keenan of Aberdeen, S.D. His son John T. Keenan, is a member of the law firm of McDuffie and Keenan and city attorney.

Mr. & Mrs. Keenan had lately purchased the Wilcox home in Le Mars and intended to move into town to spend the autumn of life retiring from farm life.

Mr. Keenan during his 30 years residence in the County, gained for himself the esteem of his neighbors and had a large circle of friends who regret his death and sympathize with the family.

The funeral was held on Wednesday at St. James Church and was very largely attended.