Patrick William McKeever


	This biography appears on pages 1145-1146 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.


	ATRICK WILLIAM McKEEVER, chief of the well-equipped fire department of 
the city of Sioux Falls, is a native of the state of Illinois, having 
been born in the city of Dixon, Lee county, on the 11th of January, 
1868, and being a son of Patrick and Alice McKeever, who removed thence 
to St. Louis, Missouri, when he was a mere child, his father being a 
tailor by vocation. The parents are now living in St. Louis, Missouri. 
The subject passed his early youth in the metropolis of Missouri, and 
there received the advantages of the parochial and public schools. In 
1884, at the age of sixteen years, he left St. Louis, and went to 
Kentland, Indiana, where he served an apprenticeship at the tailor's 
trade, at which he was employed in various parts of the Union until 
1887, when he came to Sioux Falls, where he followed his trade until 
1892, when he engaged in the hotel business, to which he continued to 
give his attention, as proprietor of the Winsor and Central hotels, 
finally leading to his appointment to his present office as chief of the 
local fire department. He joined the volunteer fire department soon 
after coming to Sioux Falls, and continued with the same after the 
department was acquired by the municipal government, his ability and 
fidelity finally leading to his appointment to his present position. He 
is a man of genial nature and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the 
people of the city, who realize that he is ever watchful of their 
interests and ever ready to respond to the call of duty in offering 
protection to life and property. In politics the chief was formerly 
affiliated with the Democracy, but at the time of the first nomination 
of the late lamented President McKinley he transferred his allegiance to 
the Republican party, of whose principles he has since been a staunch 
advocate. In 1897-98 he represented the first ward on the board of 
aldermen of the city. Religiously he is a Catholic, while his fraternal 
relations are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

	n the 2d of June, 1900, Mr. McKeever was united in marriage to 
Miss Josephine Houser, a daughter of Adam Houser, of Salem, this state, 
and their pleasant home is one in which a gracious hospitality is ever 
in evidence.