Charles L. Keenan
Among the men widely known in Allamakee county as breeders of
pure-blooded and high-grade cattle is Charles L. Keenan, who from
his youth has been closely identified with this line of work and
who is today the owner of the Maple Leaf Stock Farm of one
hundred and fifty acres and of fine herds of shorthorn cattle,
Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. A spirit of enterprise
has distinguished all the activities of his career and has
brought him today to a gratifying position in his chosen line.
Mr. Keenan was born upon the farm which he now occupies on the
27th of February, 1871, and is a son of Patrick Keenan, one of
the first settlers in Jefferson township, having located here in
1847. The father purchased wild land, securing over five hundred
acres, and this he cleared of timber, breaking the soil and
improving the place with substantial buildings. He became in the
course of years one of the well known men in Allamakee county,
continuing to make his home in this part of Iowa until his death,
which occurred March 14, 1878. In 1854, in Allamakee county, he
married Miss Catherine Scanlan, who survived him for a number of
years, carrying on the operation of the homestead and becoming
the owner of one of the first herds of shorthorn cattle in
Allamakee county. She passed away September 14, 1909.
Charles L. Keenan, who is one of a family of nine sons and three
daughters, was reared upon the family homestead in Jefferson
township and acquired his primary education in the country
schools. He supplemented this by a business course at La Crosse
Business College and then returned to the farm which he aided his
mother in operating for a number of years, continuing as
assistant until the estate was settled, when he succeeded to the
portion of the farm which contained the homestead. From his youth
up he was closely connected with stock-raising interests here and
is today one of the leading stock men in the township. His stock
is all high grade and his herd of cattle varies from ten to forty
animals. In business circles Mr. Keenan is known as one of the
promoters of the Farmers Cooperative Stock & Produce Company
of Allamakee county and also has stock in the Paint Creek
Telephone Company.
In Jefferson township, on the 25th of June, 1901, Mr. Keenan was
united in marriage to Miss Katherine Ryan, who was born and
reared in Jefferson township, a daughter of John S. Ryan, who is
numbered among the first settlers in this locality. A more
extended mention of his life is found elsewhere in this work. Mr.
and Mrs. Keenan have become the parents of four children, John
Cyril, Mary Lorraine, Katherine Estella and Cecilia. The family
are members of the Waukon Catholic church and Mr. Keenan belongs
to the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus.
He is numbered among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of
Allamakee county and among its most progressive business men, his
success coming as the direct result of the sound judgment and
keen discrimination which have distinguished the activities of
his entire career.
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart
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