Edward W. Keenan

EDWARD W. KEENAN, proprietor of the Monongahela House, Monessen, Pennsylvania, is a native of Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born August 17, 1857, son of John B. and Lucy (West) Keenan.

John B. Keenan (father) was a son of James Keenan, better known as Squire Keenan. He was born in Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and throughout the active years of his career was the proprietor of a hotel. He organized Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and went out with the same during the civil war, serving in the capacity of captain, but shortly afterward was promoted to the rank of major. He was wounded in the shoulder at the second battle of Bull Run, and was killed May 11, 1864, at Spottsylvania Court House. He and his wife, Lucy (West) Keenan, were the parents of the following children: James, deceased; Edward W., mentioned hereafter; John, deceased; Frank, Emma, deceased.

Edward W. Keenan attended the common schools in the neighborhood of his home until twelve years of age, when he was forced to earn his own livelihood, working among the farmers, cutting wood, in the saw mills, and at various other labors. He later learned the shoemaking trade, which he followed for five years, after which he engaged in the hotel business. In 1881 he moved to Greensburg and there conducted the Keenan House for eighteen months at the expiration of which time he became the proprietor of the Fisher House, which he conducted for three years. He then went to Latrobe and assumed the management of the Parker House, continuing the same for three years. He then returned to Greensburg and fitted up the Hotel Stark, which he operated two years and then disposed of. He then accepted a position as travelling salesman, and served in that capacity until October, 1903, when he located in Monessen, Westmoreland county, where he purchased the contents of the Monongahela House. He completely refitted the hotel, which has accommodations for forty guests, and which is now one of the best equipped hotels in the county, the service and cuisine being unexcelled. Mr. Keenan is especially adapted for this line of business, as he is genial, affable and generous, which characteristics account for his popularity. In 1889 Mr. Keenan was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the nomination of sheriff, but was defeated by his opponent. He has always taken a keen interest in politics, being one of the leading Democrats of the county. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, affiliating with Lodge No. 773, and of the G. B. U.

In 1884 Mr. Keenan married Mrs. Annie Jack, daughter of John Easton, who died November 6, 1885, leaving him one child, John Hillery Keenan, who is now (1905) a student at Dickinson Law School, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1892 Mr. Keenan married for his second wife Alice Foster, daughter of Henry Foster.

Source: History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume II, by John N. Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906, Page 262.
Transcribed by Carol C. Eddleman for the Westmoreland County History Project.
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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