Enoch Keen of Texas County, Missouri

Enoch Keen, farmer and stock raiser, one mile east of Sargent, in Burdine Township, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., October 27, 1825, and is the son of Matthias and Rachel (Brown) Keen, natives of Tennessee. Matthias Keen served as a soldier in the Creek Indian War. The Keens were of English descent, and the Brown of Scotch extraction. Enoch Keen was one of six sons and four daughters born to his parents. He was reared on a farm in Bedford County, Tenn., and while yet a young man his parents moved to Missouri, and settled in Franklin County, where Enoch married Miss Nancy Napier, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Patrick and Allie (White) Napier, both natives of Kentucky. In 1870 Mr. Keen and family came to Texas County, settling on their present farm, and here they have since remained. To their union were born nine children, six sons and three daughters: Allie Jane, wife of J. R. Stogdill, of Texas County; Mary, wife of J. J. Mitchell [see sketch]; Sarah, wife of W. I. Brown, now residing near Sargent; Lewis Wesley, John P., William M., James E., Thomas P. and George W. Of these children Mrs. Allie Jane Stogdill has two sons and two daughters; Mrs. Mary Mitchell has one son; Mrs. Sarah Brown has four sons and one daughter; Lewis Wesley resides in Shannon County, Mo., and has three sons and one daughter; John P. is at home, unmarried; William M. is unmarried; James E. is married, and has a son and daughter; Thomas P. resides in Carter County, Mo., is unmarried, and George W. is unmarried. Mr. Keen owns a large farm, of 700 acres altogether, in Texas County. He devotes considerable attention to the breeding of a good grade of cattle. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served on the school board of his district.