Patrick Keenan, deceased, whose portrait adorns this work, was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, in 1818. Immigrated to New Orleans, La., in 1844, where he remained about three years, including short stoppages at different points on the Lower Mississippi river. Early in 1847 he came north to Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in mining and prospecting, also spending some time at Dubuque. Upon first concluding to stop at Galena, he had returned to New Orleans and brought up his sister and her husband, R. Cassidy, to that place.

In the fall of 1847 he came into this county, which was then inhabited only by the Indians; selected a claim where the County Poor Farm now is, and returned to Galena. The following year he again came on, bringing his brother-in-law, Cassidy, with him, settled on his claim and began to improve it. In the spring of 1849, while out hunting for his cattle, he found himself down on Paint Creek, in Jefferson township, and being very favorably impressed with the situation of the land on the creek, and the prairie adjoining on the south, he concluded to abandon his former claim and locate on this land in Jefferson township; and having his ax with him, as was his usual custom, he "blazed" a few trees so as to readily find the place again, and upon returning home immediately made preparations to remove to his newly selected claim, which he did the same spring, accompanied by his brother-in-law's family, and they were the first settlers in the township. He laid claim to nearly a section of land, and afterwards purchased more in the south part of that township and in Franklin Township. This same season he met with an adventure one day, while down on the Yellow river, that showed the metal of the man. Being alone and unarmed, save with an ax, which he always carried to mark his way, he was suddenly confronted by two large black bears, one of which raised upon its hind feet and advanced upon him. Although knowing nothing of the habits of the animal at the time, Mr. K. stood his ground, faced his bearship and brandished his ax, and the bears seeing no evidence of fear on his part, finally themselves became frightened and made off. Mr. Keenan was married in July, 1854, to Miss Catharine Scanlan, a native of Upper Canada, who was born in 1836. Their children are: Richard F., Wm. M., Patrick H., Maggie A., Thomas. J., John A., Mary T., Charles L. and Clement G., having lost three, Johana, Joseph and Albert J. Mr. Keenan died March 14, 1878, honored by all who knew him. His remains were deposited in the Cherry Mound cemetery, four prominent clergymen assisting in the ceremonies, which were very impressive, and were attended by a large concourse of people from far and near. He was a man of good judgment, firm and determined in character, and throughout his residence in this county he figured prominently as one of her most influential citizens. He leaves an estate of 700 acres of the best land in the township, which is carried on by Mrs. K., it being superintended by her son Wm. They are introducing some very fine stock upon the farm, having recently purchased three head of yearlings past for $640. pg 507-508, portrait pg 425

George Kehr, liquor dealer, Lansing, was born in New York City in 1854; came to this Co. with his parents in 1860; married Katie Luger, of Dubuque. He is a son of Peter Kehr, who is a native of Germany. pg 507

John Kelly, P.O. Rossville, farmer; son of Daniel and Sarah Kelly; born in 1839, in Harrison Co., 0., where he remained till 1861, when he was married to Miss Jane Lewis, and the same year emigrated to Iowa, locating in Paint Creek township, of this Co., from which place he came to his present farm in 1863. He owns 200 acres of land, worth about $7,000. They have seven children: Jessie, Ida, Orrie, Louie, Esther, John and Benner; and have lost one infant. pg 508

Wm. M. Kelly, Paint Creek Township, was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1833. In 1861 he came to Iowa and settled in Linton Township In 1868 he removed to Rossville and engaged in the mercantile business. Two years later he went to Mason City, Iowa. In 1873 he returned to Rossville and again engaged in the mercantile business, and continued until 1878, when he located on his present farm. He has a family of eight children, Levi, Daniel, Jessie, Alice, Nettie, Mary, Martha, William H. and Fred. pg 508

Moritz Kerndt, born in Germany, in 1830; came to the U. S. in 1852; in 1856 settled at Lansing, and has since been a member of the firm of G. Kerndt & Bros. He has been connected with banking since 1873, and is at present president of the Bank of Lansing. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Nimsgern. They have eight children. pg 507

Knudt Knudtson sec. 15, Makee Township, P.O. Waukon, born in Norway in 1818, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and in 1851 settled on his present farm. He was married in 1852 to Cornelia Framerson. The children living are Cornelia, now Mrs. L. O. Storle, of Moorehead, Minn.; Anna, now Mrs. Hans Johnson; Thomas and Charlie. pg 507

Rev. U.W. Koren, P.O. Decorah; astor of the Lutheran church in Springfield twp., located on Sec. 1; also has charge of three other churches in the vicinity, the aggregate cost of the four churches being $42,000 - his home church costing $17,000, with a very fine parsonage costing over $5,000, and very pleasantly situated in a grove about sixty rods from the house. The Rev. Koren is also president of the N.E.L. Synod, the ame being similar to the duties of bishops of the M.E. church, his jurisdiction extending over the territory west of the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. The subject of this sketch was born in Norway in 1826, and received a calssical and theological education at the University of Christiana, where he completed the course and was ordained in 1853; and the same year, in answer to a call from the Lutheran church of the northwest, he immigrated to the U.S., coming direct to this Co. and located, where he still resides, the country then being very sparsely settled. He at once engaged in establishing churches, and entered upon a general missionary work which extended over the counties of Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee, Io., and Houston and Fillmore counties in Minn., which area of territory now contains about fifty churches and twenty pastorates. Rev. Koren was largely instrumental in the establishing of the commodious Lutheran college at Decorah; purchasing the land upon which it is located, and otherwise doing much toward securing the establishment of the college. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hysing, in Norway, on the 18th day of Aug., 1853; their children are Ahlert H., Johan, Paul, Wilhelm, Henriette, Carolina M., Elizabeth and Marie. pg. 602-603, Winneshiek co. biographies