The Press., 1901-08-15

Mr.. and Mrs. e. B. Little have been
entertaining friends from Hartford for
several days.
Mrs. May Wardwell and Miss Agnes
MaGrath started Wednesday for the Buff
falo exposition.
Mrs. Sarah Lombard Of Albany, N. Y,
accompanied by her son and daughter, Is
visiting Miss Augusta l. Lombard
M. Kibbe of Chicago has joined his
family, who have spent several weeks In
town with his father, Lucius Ktbbe.
Mr.. and Mrs. 81. R. Kibbe, accompanied
by their granddaughter, Mabel Kibbe,
started Monday morning for Avalon, NJ.
Mrs. Edward Sherman invited sixteen
little girls, the oldest being nine years
old, to visit her Tuesday afternoon at her
home on the mountain. The little folks
had merry time.
Mr.. Fancher and family, who have
lived on the farm known as the Harlow
Hyde place, in the employ of Its present
owner, Mr.. Stearns of New York city,
have returned to their home in Dundee,
N. Y.
Rockwell Keeney died at his home in
Somersville Sunday morning, aged 70
years. He had two shocks last spring,
which confined him to the house for a
number of months. AS the weather grew
warmer he began to improve, and was
able to be out. Two weeks ago he was
arranging to go with Mrs. Keeney to the
seashore, but last week he suffered anoth-
er shock, from which he failed rapidly
until his death. Besides his widow, he
leaves five children, Charles R., the man.
ager of the Keeney Brothers paper mill
at Manchester George E.. president of
the Hartford Life Insurance company,
and treasurer of the Somersville Manu-
featuring company; Mrs. Frank B. Pome-
roy of Meriden; Lafayette Keeney and
Mayro Keeney, who we're associated with
him In the manufacturing business. The
funeral was held at the home In Somers-
Vile Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock
Rev. George H. Hodgson of West Hart
ford officiating. The burial, which was
private, took place at the cemetery in
Somersville. Rockwell Keeney was one
of the best known men of the town of
Somers, where he had lived twenty-five
years, and was the president of the Som
ersville Manufacturing company. He
was born in South Manchester January 9,
1922. His father was farmer, and Mr..
Keeney also followed that occupation un-
til he was seventeen years old, when he
entered the silk mills of Cheney Bros.
He was educated in the public schools of
Manchester. Mr.. Keeney was employed
In the silk mills for fifteen years, during
which time he made himself invaluable to
his employers, and became thoroughly
familiar with silk manufacturing. On
June 2, 1916, Mr.. Keeney was married to
Miss Leonora Gowdy, daughter of Robert
Gowdy of Somersville, by whom he had
seven children. six sons and one daughter
In 1868 Mr.. Keeney decided to leave
Manchester and went to Meriden, where
he engaged In the manufacture of paper
boxes. The venture proved successful,
and he remained there In business for
Monson, Mass, where, together with a
large number of other manufacturers, he
suffered great financial loss by disastrous
freshet. Mr.. Keeney quickly repaired
his losses, however, and in 1879 removed
to Somersville, where he made his home
With his sons, he bought mill site and
founded the now widely known and sue
cessful wooden business under the name
of the Somersville Manufacturing compa-
ny. Four of his sons, all of whom had a
practical knowledge of the wooden bust
ness, were associated with him in the
business. He was also interested in the
manufacture of paper at North Manches-
ter. In politics Mr.. Keeney was repub-
lican. He represented Somers In the leg
islature of 1886. He was member of
Day Spring lodge of Masons of Monson,
Mass, and was strong promoter of tenn
perance. He was member and constant
attendant of the Somersville Congrega-
tional church. Mr.. Keeney was man
of the old school, polite and gentle, yet
one who could be firm on occasion. He
had many close and intimate friends.
AS one of the Gathers of the village"
his death will cause void that will be
| felt for long time.