John C Keen1

#21637, (1827 - 1917)
FatherJohn Keen1 (c 1793 - 1877)
MotherSarah Wells2 ( - c 1848)
RelationshipsGreat-granduncle of Wilma Ilene Collins
Son of John Keen
Extended Family
ChartsJohn Keen - Children & Grandchildren

Children of John C Keen and Nancy Burdine Smith
  • Jackson Keen2 ( - bt 1862 - 1865)
  • Joseph Keen2 ( - bt 1862 - 1865)
  • Mary J Keen2 (1851 - 1924)
  • Sarah Elizabeth Keen2 (1853 - 1936)
  • Thomas H Keen2 (1855 - 1947)
  • Phebe E Keen2 (1857 - 1907)
  • John Willis Keen2 (1859 - 1942)
  • William E Keen2 (1861 - 1934)
  • Frances Keen2 (c 1866 - 1949)
  • Cora or Clara or Clementine Keen2 (1868 - 1965)
  • Benjamin F Keen2 (1874 - 1953)
  • Malachi Keen2 (1876 - 1962)
  • Charles E Keen2 (1880 - 1907)

Life Events

BirthJohn C Keen was born in 1827 in Sumner County, Tennessee.2
 
MarriageHe married Nancy Burdine Smith on 21 Nov 1850 in Perry County, Illinois.3,4
 
1860 CensusJohn and Nancy Keen appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Township 5 Range 3W, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 2 Jul 1860. John was 28, farming, owned $300 worth of real estate and $250 of personal estate, and was born in Tennessee. Nancy was 27 and born in Kentucky. Neither of them could read or write. With them were Mary J (9), Elizabeth (7), Thos H (5), Phebe E (2), and John W (1). Mary and Elizabeth attended school.5 
MilitaryJohn C Keen joined the 110 IL US Infantry on 15 Aug 1862 in Perry County. He was with Company G which consolidated with Company D. John C was a private, signed up by Cpt Murphy for a period of 3 years. He was mustered in on 11 September 1862 at Camp Anna, Illinois and mustered out 8 June 1865 at Washington, DC by Lt Scruggs.

Personal characteristics noted were: residence Perry County, age 30, height 5'9", light hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, married farmer, nativity Sumner County, Tennessee.6 
1870 CensusJohn C and Nancy B Keen appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Township 5S Range 3W, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 27 Jul 1870. John C was 36, a Farmer, with real estate valued at $500 and personal estate of 300, born in Tennessee, and could not read or write. Nancy B was 36, keeping house, and born in Kentucky. With them were Mary J (18), Sarah E (17), Thomas H (15), Phebe E (13), John W (11), William E (8), Frances (4), and Cora C (1). The children Sarah through William attended school.3 
(Mentioned) ProbateJohn C Keen was mentioned as one of the children in the probate file of his father's John Keen's estate in Apr 1877. Brothers John C and William J Keen and their brother-in-law Daniel E Holeman posted $140 bond.1 
1880 CensusJackson [sic] and Nancy Keen appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Pinckneyville Precinct, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 9 Jul 1880. Jackson was 53, a farmer, born in Tennessee, parents born in Tennessee, and unable to read and write. Nancy was keeping house, born in Kentucky, parents born in Kentucky. Their children were Mary (14), Jno (21, farmer), Wm (19, farmer), Clara (11), Benj (9), and Malachi (4). Clara and Ben attended school.7 
1900 CensusJ C Keene appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, at Jackson Street, enumerated 4 Jun 1900. He was 71, widowed, born in January 1829 in Tennessee, parents born in Tennessee. He was a retired farmer, could not read and write, and owned his home free. With him were his sons Ben (26, coal miner) and Chas (19, feed merchant).8 
1910 CensusJack Keen appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois, enumerated 26 Apr 1910. He was living with his son John and family. Jack was 80, widowed, born in Tennessee, parents' birthplaces unknown.9 
DeathJohn died on 3 May 1917 in Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois.
Details from the index: John C Keene, age 90 - no further information.10,11 
NoteHe had 62 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren at the time of his death. Most of the Keen family who remained in Perry County are descended from this fellow. They spell their surname with an 'e' - Keene.2 
Last Edited2 Apr 2014

Citations

  1. [S1689] John Keen, Estate Records, 1877 Box 359, File 1165, page 533, FHL film # 975933 (microfilm of original records in the Perry County courthouse, Pinckneyville, Illinois).
  2. [S1690] Perry County Historical Society Perry County, Illinois, Turner Pub Co, Paducah, Kentucky (1988-1998) 0938021524, 1563114720, John C Keene biography, page 180.
  3. [S1649] United States 1870 Federal Census. Illinois, Perry County, T5SR3W, Pinckneyville P.O., Page 2. Image viewed at Familysearch.
  4. [S1865] Website Perry County Illinois History & Genealogy (http://www.perrycountyillinois.net/), Perry County Marriages, John Keen & Nancy Smith.
  5. [S1740] 1860 Federal Census for United States, Illinois, Perry County, Township 5 Range 3 W, Roll M653_218, Page 87. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  6. [S2876] Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls. Database compiled by Fred Delap and viewed online at the Illinois State Archives website.
  7. [S938] 1880 Federal Census for United States, Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville, Roll T9_242, Page 125C. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  8. [S939] 1900 Federal Census for United States, Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville, Roll T623_335, ED 55, Page 3B. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  9. [S940] 1910 Federal Census for United States, Illinois, Perry County, Pinckneyville Ward 2, Roll T624_315, ED 80, Page 8B. Digital image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  10. [S1690] Perry County Historical Society Perry County, Illinois, Turner Pub Co, Paducah, Kentucky (1988-1998) 0938021524, 1563114720, John C Keene biography, page 180 (has death date as 2 May).
  11. [S2349] FamilySearch Historical Records Indexes to Illinois Deaths, 1916-1947, database compiled from Illinois Department of Health certificates of death. Viewed online at familysearch.org, John C Keene, 1917.