1882 Biographies, beginning with K, Allamakee County, Iowa Transcribed by Phyllis Peterson and Roxanne Barth for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 1999 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ History of Winneshiek and Allamaee Counties Iowa 1882 By W. E. Alexander Sioux City, Iowa: Western Publishing Company 1882 Reprinted by Winneshiek County Genealogical Society Decorah, Iowa: The Anundsen Publishing Company K Patrick Keenan, deceased, whose portrait adorns this work, was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, in 1818. Emigrated to New Orleans, La., in 1844, where he remained about three years, including short stoppages at different points on the Lower Mississippi river. Early in 1847 he came north to Galena, IIl., where he engaged in mining and prospecting, also spending some time at Dubuque. Upon first concluding to stop at Galena, he had returned to New Orleans and brought up his sister and her husband, R. Cassidy, to that place. In the fall of 1847 he came into this county, which was then inhabited only by the Indians; selected a claim where the County Poor Farm now is, and returned to Galena. The following year he again came on, bringing his brother-in-law, Cassidy, with him, settled on his claim and began to improve it. In the spring of 1849, while out hunting for his cattle, he found himself down on Paint Creek, in Jefferson tp., and being very favorably impressed with the situation of the land on the creek, and the prairie adjoining on the south, he concluded to abandon his former claim and locate on this land in Jefferson tp.; and having his ax with him, as was his usual custom, he "blazed" a few trees so as to readily find the place again, and upon returning home immediately made preparations to remove to his newly selected claim, which he did the same spring, accompanied by his brother-in-law's family, and they were the first settlers in the township. He laid claim to nearly a section of land, and afterwards purchased more in the south part of that township and in Franklin township. This same season he met with an adventure one day, while down on the Yellow river, that showed the metal of the man. Being alone and unarmed, save with an ax, which he always carried to mark his way, he was suddenly confronted by two large black bears, one of which raised upon its hind feet and advanced upon him. Although knowing nothing of the habits of the animal at the time, Mr. K. stood his ground, faced his bearship and brandished his ax, and the bears seeing no evidence of fear on his part, finally themselves became frightened and made off. Mr. Keenan was married in July, 1854, to Miss Catharine Scanlan, a native of Upper Canada, who was born in 1836. Their children are: Richard F., Wm. M., Patrick H., Maggie A., Thos. J., John A., Mary T., Charles L. and Clement G., having lost three, Johana, Joseph and Albert J. Mr. Keenan died March 14, 1878, honored by all who knew him. His remains were deposited in the Cherry Mound cemetery, four prominent clergymen assisting in the ceremonies, which were very impressive, and were attended by a large concourse of people from far and near. He was a man of good judgment, firm and determined in character, and throughout his residence in this county he figured prominently as one of her most influential citizens. He leaves an estate of 700 acres of the best land in the township, which is carried on by Mrs. K., it being superintended by her son Wm. They are introducing some very fine stock upon the farm, having recently purchased three head of yearlings past for $640. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 507-508. George Kehr, liquor dealer, Lansing, was born in New York city in 1854; came to this Co. with his parents in 1860; married Katie Luger, of Dubuque. He is a son of Peter Kehr, who is a native of Germany. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 507. John Kelly, P.O. Rossville, farmer; son of Daniel and Sarah Kelly; born in 1839, in Harrison Co., 0., where he remained till 1861, when he was married to Miss Jane Lewis, and the same year emigrated to Iowa, locating in Paint Creek tp., of this Co., from which place he came to his present farm in 1863. He owns 200 acres of land, worth about $7,000. They have seven children: Jessie, Ida, Orrie, Louie, Esther, John and Benner; and have lost one infant. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 508. Wm. M. Kelly, Paint Creek tp., was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1833. In 1861 he came to Iowa and settled in Linton tp. In 1868 he removed to Rossville and engaged in the mercantile business. Two years later he went to Mason City, Iowa. In 1873 he returned to Rossville and again engaged in the mercantile business, and continued until 1878, when he located on his present farm. He has a family of eight children, Levi, Daniel, Jessie, Alice, Nettie, Mary, Martha,William H. and Fred. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 508. Moritz Kerndt, born in Germany, in 1830; came to the U. S. in 1852; in 1856 settled at Lansing, and has since been a member of the firm of G. Kerndt & Bros. He has been connected with banking since 1873, and is at present president of the Bank of Lansing. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Nimsgern. They have eight children. Knudt Knudtson see. 15, Makee tp., P.O. Waukon, born in Norway in 1818, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and in 1851 settled on his present farm. He was married in 1852 to Cornelia Framerson. The children living are Cornelia, now Mrs. L. O. Storle, of Moorehead, Minn.; Anna, now Mrs. Hans Johnson; Thomas and Charlie. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 507. Knudt Knudtson, sec. 15, Makee tp., P. O. Waukon, born in Norway in 1818, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and in 1851 settled on his present farm. He was married in 1852 to Cornelia Emmerson. The children living are Cornelia, now Mrs. L. O. Storle, of Moorehead, Minn.; Anna, now Mrs. Hans Johnson; Thomas and Charlie. History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, p. 507.