Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-08-18

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Mr.. keene was Justice Of the Peace
for many years and served term IN
the state legislature in 1881 He was
Away prominent and an active work
er in politics. being republican first.
last and always. his work, however.
being for his friends rather than him
self,the offices mentioned above being
the only ones held ~ him.
In 1885 he receive Ell an appointment
as one of the especial clerks employed
in the office OF the adjutant general in
the capitol ut Madison. " hich position
he held for live years. reSigning it to
change climate for his health In 1887
he removed his family to Madison in
order THAT his children m ght take adj
vantage of the superior educational in
stitutions there. In 1890, warned by
his failing health, he sold his farm
and with his family removed to Seat
tie. where he erected beautiful
home. With the change of climate
his health improved as by magic, and
a portion of every year since coming
west has been spent by him in the
mountains. partly with a view of over
seeing his mining interests there and
partly for the benefit of the wonderful
mountain air
He speedily made place for HIM
self in Seattle, being identified at once
with the Grand Army of the Republic,
which order has large mem bership
in Seattle. He was also a member of
Tom Cox Post at Lancaster and G. G.
Washburn Post at Madison. He also
took an active interest ir local politics.
He held for a year position as
bailiff in the Superior court Of King
county, and during that time resumed
the study of law, passed the required
examination and was admitted to
practice as member of the bar of
King county. However, he did no:
engage regularly in the practice of
law, deyoting his time instead princi-
pally to mining matters.
In the spring of 1897 he spent two
months in Wisconsin. Probably no
experience of his life gave him more
pleasure than the meeting with old
friends there. His family feel the
deepest gratitude to the friends and
neighbors who We'd with each other
in making his visit pleasant one.
He had often spoken since coming to
Seattle of his wish to make visit to
the old home, and the delight OF the
visit was all that his fondest dreams
had pictured.
In November 1897, he suffered an
attack of grip which left him with a
severe cough. With his indomitable
grit and energy, however, he contin-
ued his usual pursuits. His last trip
into the city was to attend a meeting
Of his Post where he signed the list Of
veterans who offered their services to
their country in war with Spain. Two
days later, on April %, just three
months before his death, medical aid
was summoned and from that time on
until the end everything that medical
skill could devise or loving hearts
suggest was done to prolong life
that might have been useful one for
twenty years to come. His trouble
was liberation Of the stomach, the
outcome probably of years of dyspep-
STA. His mind remained perfectly
clear up to within two days of his
death and his interest in all public AZ
fairs he kept to the last He talked
much of his friends and took pleasure
in recalling scenes of other days.
Funeral services were held at the
home, 1923, 33d Ave , on " ednesday,
July q, Rev. Hugh Gilchrist ofiiciat-
ing, beautiful hymns being sung by a
quartette of trained voices. Many
beautiful floral offerings were brought
by loving friends, the casket being
completely covered with flowers and
draped with the flag he loved. The
services at the cemetery were con
dNcted by the e.. A. r.. the reading OF
their beautiful service being followed
by the firing OF salute across the
open grave, and ringing across the
lake the silver notes of the bugle in
the inexpressibly sad and sweet
''taps" bringing tears to all eyes.
There in beautiful Evergreen ceme-
terry, surrounded by his family. com
rades and friends. was laid to rest the
soldier Of whom it may be truly said,
he was zone who loved his fellow
men, His whole life was one of in
tegrity aud scrupulous honesty, thor
oughly upright in every particular
Noticeable among many fine qualities
was his freedom from envy and covet-
BUSINESS. No matter what his own
disappointments, he always heard OF
the good fortune of others with ex
pressions of pleasure.
Surviving him are his wife and sew
en- children all of whom are living in
Seattle as follows Walter A., Maude,
(Mrs Hiram {. Gill l.. Bruce. Ger
trude, Mrs. Richard Davenport)
Edith and Ernest, twins aged Is.
students in the Seattle High school,
and Estella, aged ID; one grandchild,
little Sidney Davenport, and two
brothers, Oliver f. Keene Of Lancaster
and Rev A. G. Keene of Watertown,
IS. ID. ~