Biographical Sketch of P. H. McKeehan, Johnson County, Missouri,
Knob Noster

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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P. H. McKeehan, a well known and beloved pioneer of Johnson county, who
is now deceased, was born in 1826 in Granger county, Tennessee, son of
James and Nancy McKeehan, both of whom were of Irish descent.  Mr. Mc-
Keehan enlisted in the Civil War and served four years in the Confeder-
ate army.  When the war closed, he moved with his family to Missouri 
and they settled on a farm in Johnson county, located south of the 
present city of Knob Noster, which place comprised twenty acres, which
Mr. McKeehan purchased on credit.  The Civil War had left them in 
almost destitute circumstances and Mr. McKeehan had a very difficult
time getting a new start.  He was a carpenter by trade and by practic-
ing the most rigid economy and with good business management, he was
enabled to purchase with his savings one hundred twenty-three acres 
more land.  He constantly increased his holdings and at the time of his
death in 1915 was the owner of one hundred forty-three acres of splen-
did farm land in Johnson county.  P. H. McKeehan was a man of genial
disposition, kindly manners, and pleasing address.  He began life in
Missouri under the most adverse conditions, but he succeeded and estab-
lished a reputation which the most favored might well strive to emulate.
He has bequeathed to his descendants a name, which is the synonym for
strict integrity, fine morality, and honorable dealings, a name which
his sons should be proud to bear.  In 1862, P. H. McKeehan was united 
in marriage with Susan Kendrick, the daughter of Jackson and Jane 
Kendrick, who were pioneers of Missouri, coming to this state in 1851.
Mrs. Kendrick died on the plains, while enroute to California.  To 
P. H. and Susan (Kendrick) McKeehan were born six sons and one daughter.
Their only daughter, Mrs. McDonald, is now deceased and her child, a
son, Lyndall, who is now eleven years of age, lives with his grand-
mother, Mrs. McKeehan, and attends school, now a pupil in the seventh
grade.  The six sons, all of whom are now living, are:  Joe, A.O., and
E.E., all of Windsor, Missouri; W. W., Kansas City, Missouri; J. M.,
Camas, Washington; and E. K., Springfield, Missouri.  Mrs. McKeehan is
a highly valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also
Mr. McKeehan.  She recalls having many times ridden on horseback to
church, when they first came to Johnson county.  She devotes much time
to the raising of chickens and takes great pleasure in her work.  The
late Mr. McKeehan and his widow were always brave and noble hearted,
unflinchingly bearing all the misfortunes, privations, and poverty,
incidental to war and pioneer life.  Johnson county has been particu-
larly fortunate in having men and women like these, who were willing
to endure much and work hard that the country might be better because
they had lived in it.  The countless advantages, which we now enjoy and
deem so absolutely necessary, could have no existence were it not for
the brave men and women, who "blazed the way."  We can not give too
much honor and praise to them.

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