The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-11-03


one in. However, C. M. Masters
has made arrangements so that when
enough money is secured, a smoke
consumer can be installed without
making any changes in the smoke
stack.
After allowing the usual number
of bills the meeting adjourned.
From TUESDAYS Daily.
Madison Keene, for f1fty-five years
a resident of this section of Mime
sofa, died yesterday morning at
1890, following paralytical stroke
received on Wednesday evening at
the Soldiers Home at Minnehaha.
The deceased is survived by three
children, two Of Mankato, Mrs. May
Rouse of S26 South Front street, and
George G. Keene, the Photographer
at 803 South Front street, and ".
M. Keene, formerly of Winnebago.
His wife died ten years ago. He also
has two sisters living in the west,
Mrs Rebecca Foster and Mrs. Ada
line Goodrich of Washington,
The funeral will be held tomor-
row afternoon at two o'clock from
the Methodist Episcopal church, Rev.
w. N. Jameson officiating
One of the Pioneer Residents.
Mr.. Keene was one of the oldest
residents of this part of the coun-
try, coming here over half cen
fury ago. After living as pioneer
and farmer for many years he moved
into the city where he has lived the
past several years. During the last
year he has spent much of his time
at the Soldiers Home, but intended
to return to Mankato to live with
his daughter, Mrs. May Rouse. He
had just received his furlOugh and
was to leave on Thursday when he
was rendered i'll by paralysis. tThe re-
mains arrived in Mankato last night
and were taken to the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Rouse, where they
will be until tomorrow.
Was Native Of Maine.
Mr.. Keene was born in Clinton,
Maine, May 90, 1888. His parents
were jeremiah and Rebecca (Ken-
dalD Keene. His grandfather,
Isaac Keene, was soldier under
General Washington in the Revolu-
tionary war, and his grandfather,
David Kendall, was a member of the
American army in the war of 1872
On his fathers side he was of Scotch
Irish descent, and on his mothers
side of English ancestry. Mr.. Keene
was married on January 3, 1854, to
Miss Phoebe A. Eldridge, and in
June of the following year, came to
Mankato, where IS brothers, Josiah,
Lorenzo D., and Allen Keene, and his
sister, Lorana Keene afterwards Mrs.
Clark, had preceded him.
Took Up Claim.
He pre-empted claim in Nicollet
county, and in the spring of 1896,
his wife joined him, and they began
their experience as pioneer farmers.
On July Is, 1861, he and his broth
err, Josiah Keene, enlisted in Company
H, Second Regiment, Minnesota Vol
! unteers, and served with great faith
fulness and bravery in many of the
great battles of the Civil war. On the
expiration of his term of service,
July IA, 1864, he returned home and
resumed agricultural pursuits. About
1888, he retired from his farm, where
he built him a pleasant home.
Death Calls Another Pioneer.
Mr.. Keene was a well-known and
highly-respected resident of Mankato.
He was a companionable man, and OF
generous impulses. He was an in
teresting and entertaining converse
tionalist and he was possessed OF
fund of valuable information. His
death removes another link in the
chain that connects the days OF the
pioneers with the present.
His Brilliant Army Record.
Mr.. Keene enlisted in the army
in 1861, even though he had a wife
and two children. AS soldier he
proved himself to be one OF the
bravest and best in the army, always
at his post no matter what the condi-
tons. 1t is related that during the
battle of Chicamauga his brother was
| wounded. Mr. Keene Immediately
picked him up, carried him to the
back field and after seeing that he
was placed in safe hands, returned
to the firing line.
On June 81, 1854, his time was up,
but that evening the army was un-
/ der heavy fire and Mr.. Keene, in
stead of giving up his post to retire,
stuck with the rest until the next
morning after the battle. He was al
so an honored soldier, serving with
the bodyguard of General Pap
Thomas. Only the best OF soldiers
were allowed this position, and Mr..