KEEN:

James Keen, born in Russell County, Virginia, 1828, son of David and Nancy (Bishop) Keen, came to Big Sandy and to Hollywood about the year 1849. On September 20. 1849, he united in marriage with Nancy King, born in Pike County, Kentucky, daughter of William and Mary (Hamilton) King, pioneers, at time of this marriage living on upper Big Sandy, now of Geary District; the farm made by James and Nancy and which was their home longest, is located on Hollywood.

James Keen was a skilled mechanic as well as an excellent farmer, skilled especially as a blacksmith and worker in iron and steel. He was long an influential man in church and community work; the Baptist church especially, of which he and his family were members; he was secretary of that church for twenty-four years. He served four years as justice of the peace, and six years as president of the district board of education.

Of this marriage of James and Nancy Keen were born eleven children: Elizabeth, February 22, 1851, married John H. Tawney; Nathan S., August 2,1852, married Elizabeth Upton; William C., August 30, 1854, married Electra A. Smith; Nancy C., June 4, 1857, married Thos. Jarvis; Rebecca A., February 15, 1860, married John B. Vineyard; Phillip J., February 20, 1862, married Elsie Jarvis; James M., October 11, 1867, married Rosie Steorts, 1912; George F., January 23, 1871, married Bertha Reynolds, 1894; Sarah A., 1874, died in infancy; John E., November 27, 1874. The marriage records of Roane County show that a "J. E. Keen, married Lydia Cook, April, 1927, his age 41, her age 26."


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 571-572
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999