THOMAS GRANT KEENAN Bio
Monongalia Co. WV

The History of West Virginia, Old and New 

Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. 

Chicago and New York, Volume II 

pg. 152

THOMAS GRANT KEENAN, a member of the County Court of Monongalia County, has for 
nearly forty years enjoyed a substantial position in the agricultural interests of 
the county and is one of the recognized lenders in the advanced program of modern 
agriculture in that section of the state.

His home farm is in the Cass District, and he was born on that farm. November 29, 1863, 
son of the late John P. and Nancy (Lazzelle) Keenan. His father was born in Dunkard 
Township of Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, son of Hugh Keenan and grandson of 
James Keenan. James Keenan was a pioneer of Western Pennsylvania. On bringing his 
family to America he settled in Greene County, and met death at the hands of Indians 
in the border warfare. John P. Keenan was a young man when he moved to Monongalia 
County, West Virginia. His wife, Nancy Lazzelle, was born in the Cass District in 
1831, daughter of Thomas Lazzelle and an aunt of Judge I. G. Lazzelle of Morgantown. 
John P. Keenan devoted his active life to farming, and he died at the old homestead 
in 1901 and his wife in 1912.

Thomas Grant Keenan has had the associations of the old home farm, where he was born 
throughout practically his entire life. He attended the neighboring district schools 
and as a boy took an increasing share of interest and responsibility at home. Now in 
addition to his ownership of the old homestead of 121 acres he had another farm of 
100 acres. Both these farms are underlaid with coal.

A good citizen as well as a substantial farmer, Mr. Keenan has accepted several 
opportunities to work in the public service. He was deputy sheriff from 1904 to 
1908. In 1920 he was elected a member of the County Court for a term of six years. 
He is also a director of the County Farm Bureau, and a director in the Bank of 
Morgantown He is a republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and is affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the 
Order of Elks.

Mr. Keenan married Belinda Bowlby, who was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, 
daughter of James P. and Susanah (Donley) Bowlby. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Keenan is Marl, who was born June 22, 1892, and is now manager of the Fairmont 
Branch of the Central Automobile Corporation of Morgantown.