New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-06

PATRICK KEENAN,.
City Chamberlain and leader in Tsmmany Hail.
who died yesterday
him at the end were only John ]. Stringer and
William Hanna, two old friends, and DR.. Berg.
who had attended him through his illness.
Mr.. keenan, was unconscious all day yester-
day, with the exception of few minutes just
before his death. When It was seen late in the
afternoon that he could not live. Father Dona-
hue, of st. Brigid's Church IN Avenue B. was
summoned to administer the last rites When
the priest entered the room Mr.. keenan, reused
from his stupor for the first time in the day and
remained conscious while the priest administered
extreme JUNCTION. Then he lapsed back into un-
consciousness. He died at s 30 o'clock.
He leaves relatives either here in Ire
land except nephew. L. Meenagh, who lives
near him, in Ith street. sister and two
brothers came with him TO America, but they
died ten years ago The funeral Will be
held Wednesday. when probably all Tam
many Hall and the East Side viii turn out to
give fitting tribute TO the old leader.
MR. KEENAN's CAREER
Mr.. keenan, the Democratic leader OF the
old 7th Ward district for thirty years. not
firing until last November, when his health be-
came so bad that he was obliged on the advice
OF his doctor. to lay aside nearly all OF his
He did not retire from the Office of City Cham
berlatn. because the duties were easy. and Mayor
Mcclellan was content TO have the old man at
the head OF that Office. AS matter OF fact.
Mr. keenan, had little TO do with the practical
work OF running the office. For years the direct
ing factor in the office has been Deputy Cham
berlain John II. Campbell. Mr. keenan, thought
as much OF his deputy as II he had been his own
son. and Mr. Campbell returned the affection.
Dot toll
Ireland in 1887. on March Il last he cele-
brated his SEVENTEEN birthday rounding out
the allotted span of life AT the age OF four
teen Mr.. keenan,. then stalwart, ruddy faced
bright eyed boy. embarked for America He
found many friends on the lowe. East Side. then
a shipbuilding district and there he made his
home. His first job that OF a plumbers
apprentice. At the beginning of the war he was
the foreman of gang OF workmen "a the ship
yards on the East Side. and superntended the
fitting out Of the steamship Vanderbilt. which
the elder Vanderbilt presented TO the United
States government.
He went South for the government during the
war. and did plumbing and fitting work on war
vessels. He intense union man. and at
the time of the draft riots was enthusiastic
supporter of the government
Soon after the he engaged I'm business
on his own account plumber and iron Mt
ter and continued the business successfully for
twenty years In 1872 he was elected an as
sistant alderman. Later he became member
OF the Board of Aldermen. and served until
1852. when he elected County Clerk.
TOOK TO POLITICS NATURALLY
keenan, took to politics naturally. He had
the Drawn, the intelligence, wit and hustng
ability which him hosts of friends His
hold on the people continued right through the
changing period which witnessed the dispIace-
ment of the old stock OF Irish and Americans
by the Jews. Mr.. keenan, was almost strong
with the newcomers as with the old residents
When he ran for alderman he was elected by
the biggest vote ever given In the ward. and
It the same way when, in 1882 he
ran for County Clerk All =, over the county
Democrats and Republicans were glad to put in
a vote for Pat" keenan,.
During the latter part of his term County
Clerk Mr.. keenan, left Tammany Hall and
Joined the County Democracy. He was nomi-
mated for County Clerk but defeated along
with other men who seeded from Tammany
Hail that time He then ION the
outs" with Richard Croker the rising power in
the organization.
Croker respected his foe as a district leader
nnd finally keenan, made up with the boss"
and rejoined Tammany Hall. Mr. Croker
wanted keenan, to take a police commissioner
keenan, did not want the responsibility and re-
fused TO take the place.
Croker was City Chamberlain at that time. and
after getting Keenan's refusal. he said: well
why not take my job, Pat?"
GLAD TO GET THE OFFICE.
MI Keenan, was glad to act on the sugges-
ton as the office of City Chamberlain in the
eyes of the ordinary Tammany is about
the choicest place In the city government. He
considered it all the greater honor because he
succeeded Croker He served all through the
Van Wyck administration. retiring when Low
came in in 1902. Mayor Mcclellan appointed
him TO his old place in 1904 and he had been
there ever since.
Mr.. keenan, familiar figure at the race
track He was a modest bettor. rarely wager
ing more than 50 The only reason he bet at all
to add spice to the race he often said.
Mr. keenan, never married. His home In 9TH
street, "A visiting place for the poor of the
district He was a kind hearted man, AMI
never turned deserving man woman empty
handed from his door He had ample fort
une, and spent a large shnre of his income in
maintaining his district organization and help
ing ne u