Wayne County
History & Genealogy
Although we have tried to be as accurate as possible in our research, mistakes happen, if you know of any corrections or additions to this family please contact me, thanks Laurie lselpien@msn.com
The information on this family is based on compiled information from several sources, Genealogy of the Keen Family of Wayne County Illinois by Harry T. Keen; John Wood of Wayne County Illinois and Descendants 1817 – 1878 by Gary Edward Wood; Illustrated and Descriptive Sketch Book of Wayne Co., Il. (1903); The Dickeys Ancestors of Thomas West Dickey and Anna Eliza Vernon of Walker county Georgia and Wayne County, Illinois by Joybelle Dickey Graig; the state database records found on line as well as personal obituaries saved by my grandmother Hazel SMITH Lane, obituaries exchanged with other researchers, the Illinois State Historic Library, Legacy of Kin 1&2, as well as Betty Beeson and Doris Bland books. Special thanks to all that had contributed!
JOHN SUMPTER KEEN
“John Sumpter Keen was the youngest son of Ashford and Polly BRACKEN Keen. He was born Dec 15, 1815 in Sumner County Tennessee. At age fifteen he came with his father and older brothers to Hickory Hills Township, Wayne County Illinois. We have no record of his mother coming with them.
John was one of the best-known citizens in the county during his lifetime. As soon as he became of age he took up government land and at one time owned as much as 3ooo acres. As all other early pioneers, he spent much of his time hunting and trapping. Deer, bear and other animals were very plentiful. It is not until 1840 the people started tilling the soil.
In 1845 he opened a store on his land. Here he sold goods and bought furs and tobacco for miles around. His business became very profitable. He had the area around his store platted for the establishment of a village. Some of the lots were sold, but the deeds were never signed and the project failed. The plat book took the name of Keenville and still maintains that name. A Post Office was established there and John became the first Postmaster. In 1869 John sold his store to Mr. Williams who also took over as Postmaster. In 1880 Mr. Williams moved his stock of goods to Keens. In 1881 the post office moved one mile southeast where Mr. A. F. Atteberry ran a general store. This was just south of the Lilly School.
Keenville was located on Old McLeansboro-Salem road. It ran through Keens, Keenville, Orchardville and Xenia. Stagecoaches are said to have traveled over this road, and mail was carried twice a week from Keens to Xenia.
After John sold his store he spent his time farming, buying stock and fur trading. It was said he could buy anything anyone had to sell. He drove cattle, hogs, and turkeys to St. Louis. He became an agent for a fur company and was given unlimited sway over several counties. This required him to be on the road most of the time and though he was, by this time an old man, he was brave and courageous and no matter the kind of weather he would keep going. He was a famous swimmer and winter or summer he would swim the most dangerous streams. He usually had a packhorse with him to carry the furs, It was from the performance of so many daring feats he was given the name “SUMPTER”. With his courage, vitality and a steady tonic of whiskey, he lived beyond his 88th birthday.
On August 25, 1836, John married Catherine BOOK, daughter of Henry and Sarah MILLER Book. Catherine was born in Fencastle, Boteourt County, Virginia in 1818. Her parents came from Germany to Virginia, then to Henderson County, Kentucky, nine miles from Red Banks, then to Illinois in 1831 and settled in Lamard Township, Wayne County. Catherine was a sister to Harriet Book who married John’s brother James.” Genealogy of the Keen Family of Wayne County Illinois by Harry T. Keen
1. John Sumpter KEEN.1 Born on 15 Dec 1815 in Sumner Co., Tennessee.
On 25 Aug 1836 when John Sumpter was 20, he first married Catherine BOOK1, daughter of Henry BOOK & Sarah MILLER. Born in 1818 in Fencastle, Botetourt County, Virginia.
They had the following children:
2 i. William (1837-1866)
3 ii. James (1839-1926)
4 iii. Samuel (1840-1922)
5 iv. John (Josh) (1843-1892)
v. Alfred (Polk)1.
Born on 8 May 1846.
Died on 5 Mar 1924, he was 77.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married 1 Nancy WARRREN1.
Died on 7 Oct 1873.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Alfred (Polk) 2 married Sarah H. EASLEY1.
Born on 17 Jan 1859.
Died in 1936, she was 76.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
6 vi. Edmond (Billy) (1848-1922)
7 vii. Benjamin Franklin (Squire) (1850-)
8 viii. George W. (Bob) (1852-1931)
9 ix. Mary Jane (1854-1933)
John Sumpter second married Eleanor ATTEBERRY1, daughter of Stout ATTEBERRY (1800-1881) & Fanny (1805-1891).
Died on 20 May 1895 in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il.2
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
10 i. Elizabeth (1860-)
11 ii. Alice (1862-1964)
12 iii. Laura (1865-1932)
13 iv. Sallie (1870-1900)
Second Generation
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Born on 25 May 1837.
Died on 24 Nov 1866, he was 29.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married Serena HAYES1.
They had the following children:
14 i. Francis (1858-1883)
15 ii. Mary Ella (1862-1926)
16 iii. John Lee (1864-1916)
iv. Dora1.
Married Lawrence Irwin
Died on 7 Jul 1929 in Fairfield, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960106 Fairfield, WC, Il.
After the death of William T. Keen, Serena Irene HAYES (HAYS) Keen
Born Jan 23, 1838
Died June 9, 1924
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married March 17, 1870 John Henry SMOTHERS
Died June 9, 1924 Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il. 86y 4m 14d
Buried Ten Post Cemetery
They had two children; This section donated by Marlene Olson! genealogy800@yahoo.com
Laura Alice SMOTHERS
Born Sept. 13 1874 Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Died Dec 26, 1941 Olney, Richland Co., Il.
Buried Bailey Cemetery WC, Il.
Married Oct 23, 1890 John Duncan SHAW son of William & Sarah Shaw
Born December 9th 1868
Died Mar 28,1930 Wayne co., Il.
Buried Bailey Cemetery WC, Il.
They
had the following
Children;
1. Jessie Shaw (Pictured left with Hallie 2nd wife)
Born Aug 4, 1891
Died June 1972
Buried Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Married 1)
Novella Jane Dalton Dec 15, 1912
Died 1926
a. Emmett Lawrence Shaw OBIT
Married 2) Mahala “Hallie” BARNARD Ferguson Shaw Nov 30, 1946
Picture donated by Marlene Olson
2. Ora Mae Shaw
Married Everette Burkett
3. Lulu Etta Shaw
Married William David Grubb
4. Roy Wesley Shaw
Born Aug 28, 1901 Hickory Hills Twp., WC, Il.
Died Mar 4, 1980
Buried Maple Hill Cemetery, WC, Il.
Married Velma Thomas July 29, 1922
5. Burl Glen Shaw
Born Oct 6, 1918 Wayne Co., Il.
U. S. Postal Worker 30 years
WWII Army Veteran served in Pacific
Died June 29, 2003
Buried Maple Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Married Virginia Sons Oct 7, 1940 in Cisne
William “Bill” SMOTHERS
Born Oct 1878 Wayne Co., Il.
Died Feb 18, 1950 Wayne Co., Il.
Married Celia M. Flinn
Born March 1882 Il.
Died Jan 5, 1943 Hickory Hills Twp., WC, IL.
3. James KEEN.1 (Son of John Sumpter & Catherine BOOK Keen)
Born on 15 Feb 1839 in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il.
Died in Four mile Twp, WC, Il. on 20 Dec 1926, he was 87.3
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960180 Four Mile WC, IL.
On 29 Oct 1871 when James was 32, he first married Sarah Jane ELLIS1, daughter of Alfred ELLIS, in Wayne Co., Il.4
Died on 15 Jul 1875.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children
Adam G. Keen died July 22, 1876 1m 3d buried Ten Post Cemetery
Unnamed Keen died Aug 21, 1875
In 1881 when James was 41, he second married Rizpah Jane WHITNEY1, daughter of Nathan WHITNEY & Mary J..
Born on 18 Feb 1846.
Died in Jun 1927, she was 81.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Raab D.1.
Born on 15 Sep 1882.
Died in Four mile Twp, WC, Il. on 22 Apr 1920, he was 37.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Death cert. #: 19325 Four Mile Twp., WC, Il.
Married Ottie DAMON1.
Born on 22 Mar 1883.
Died on 23 Dec 1974, she was 91.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
ii. Catherine R.1.
Born on 15 Sep 1886.
Died on 16 May 1965, she was 78.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Married Dr. William DULANY1.
Born on 8 Jun 1873.
Died on 22 Jan 1940, he was 66.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Occupation: Doctor.
Born on 25 Nov 1840.
Died in Four mile Twp, WC, Il. on 25 Jan 1922, he was 81.
Buried in Salem Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960019 Four Mile WC, Il.
Married Samantha SCRIVNER1.
Born in Jan 13, 1846.
Died in Dec 5, 1904, she was 58.
They had the following children:
17 i. Edmond F. (Ed) (1868-)
18 ii. Nora (1872-1929)
19 iii. Samuel Roy (1879-1931)
Samuel second married Alice H. CLARK1.
Buried in Salem Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Born on 3 Feb 1843.
Died on 6 Jan 1892, he was 48.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married Margaret WARREN1.
Died on 26 Feb 1881.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
20 i. William D. (1863-1928)
iii. Robert (Bob)1.
Died in unmarked.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
21 iii. George Vie
iv. Edward1. Cause of death: Tuberculosis.
v. Lizzie1 (Twin).married Mark CROSS1.
vi. Mary1 (Twin).
vii. Bertha1. married Oscar ANDERSON1.
John (Josh) second married Lizzie SANDERS1.
6. Edmond (Billy) KEEN.1
Born on 17 Jan 1848.
Died in Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il. on 17 Jan 1922, he was 74.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960017 Wayne City, WC, Il.
Married Millie SEVAGE1.
Born on 1 Nov 1851.
Died on 26 Sep 1929, she was 77.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
22 i. Frank (1875-1957)
ii. Catherine "Kate"1.
Born on 16 Jun 1880.
Died on 17 May 1960, she was 79.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.M
Married Frank WILKERSON1.
Born on 7 Nov 1875.
Died on 17 Sep 1947, he was 71.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
iii. Grace1.
Born on 7 Jun 1885.
Died on 28 Mar 1929, she was 43.
Married George CROCKER1.
iv. Jennie1.
Born on 25 May 1883.
Died on 14 Jan 1951, she was 67.
Buried in Colchester, Il.
On 8 Nov 1903 when Jennie was 20, she married William FORNER1. Born on 26 Mar 1881.
Died on 11 Feb 1958, he was 76.
Buried in Colchester, Il.
v. Fred1.
Born on 15 Jun 1893.
Died in Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il. on 11 Feb 1918, he was 24.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 55105 Wayne City, WC, Il.
vi. Samantha Jane1.
Born on 26 Jun 1878.
Died on 30 May 1950, she was 71.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
First married Robert MITCHEL1. Robert died on 24 Feb 1941.
On 17 Aug 1944 when Samantha Jane was 66, she second married Thomas WOOD1.
7. Benjamin Franklin (Squire) KEEN.1
Born in 1850.
On 23 Jul 1871 when Benjamin Franklin (Squire) was 21, he married Sarah Anna COX1, daughter of David COX & Margaret, in Wayne Co., Il.5
Born on 22 Apr 1853.
Died on 4 Jan 1911, she was 57.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Cause of death: Killed by Train at Keens.
They had the following children:
i. John1. Born in 1878.
ii. Maggie1. Born in 1879.
iii. Ida1. Cause of death: Tuberculosis.
iv. Rachel1. Buried in Memphis Tennessee. Married CONSIDINE1.
iv. Charley1.
Born in 1894.
Died on 16 Feb 1911, he was 17.
Buried in Mateer Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Cause of death: Killed By Train w/ Glen Keen.
8. George W. (Bob) KEEN.1
Born in 1852.
Died in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il. on 17 May 1931, he was 79.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960067 Hickory Hills, WC, Il.
Married Sarah CAMERON1.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
23 i. Jessie (1881-1943)
ii. Ethel1.
Born in 1880.
Died on 14 Oct 1899, she was 19.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
iii. Cordia1.Married Tobias GARRISON1.
9. Mary Jane KEEN.1
Born on 14 Jan 1854.
Died in 1933, she was 78.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
On 4 Apr 1872 when Mary Jane was 18, she first married John WEBBER1, in Wayne Co., Il.6 Born in 1834 in Jefferson Co., Il.
Died in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il. on 23 Mar 1902, he was 68.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Alice1.
Born on 16 Jan 1873.
On 22 Oct 1893 when Alice was 20, she married Harry MAXEY1.
Born on 12 Dec 1872.
Died on 23 Mar 1934, he was 61.
Buried in Oak Dale Cemetery, Bluford, Il.
ii. Cora1.
Born on 23 Nov 1876.
Buried in Garrison Temple Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
Married William WILSON1.
Born on 23 Jan 1875.
Died on 19 Feb 1953, he was 78.
Buried in Garrison Temple Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
iii. Myrtle1.
Born in 1887.
Died in 1961, she was 74.
Buried in Flora, Il.
Married William BRADFORD1.
Born in 1878.
Died in 1964, he was 86.
24 iv. Fleeta (1879-1963)
iv. Catherine1.
Born on 18 Jan 1886.
Married Lewis DAMITZ1.
Born on 3 Dec 1880.
Died on 5 Dec 1945, he was 65.
v. Laura1.
Born on 3 Apr 1889.
Died on 19 Feb 1952, she was 62.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Married Samuel Edward WOOD1. Feb 25, 1914
Born on 1 Nov 1881.
Died in 1966, he was 84.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
vi. Emery1.
Born on 15 Sep 1890.
Died on 29 Jun 1937, he was 46.
Buried in Flora, Il.
Married Bonnie TAYLOR1.
Born on 9 Feb 1892. Buried in Flora, Il.
viii. Guy1.
Mary Jane second married William FISHER1.
10. Elizabeth KEEN.1
Born on 8 Jun 1860 in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il.
Married John H. KEEN1.
Born in Tennessee.
Married Mary Jane Bransford &
Elizabeth Keen.7
Charged w/ Bigamy on 22 Feb 1877 in Wayne County, Il.
They had one child:
i. Addie Eleanore1.
Born on 18 Aug 1877.
Died in May 1937, she was 59.
Buried in Charles City, Iowa.
Married Nate DOBBS1.
Born on 21 Feb 1874.
Died in Feb 1944, he was 69.
Buried in Charles City, Iowa.
In May 1879 when Elizabeth was 18, she second married James CLARK1.8
They had the following children:
25 i. Maggie (1880-)
ii. Curt1.
Born on 20 Nov 1881.
Married Elsie JONES1.
Born on 5 Jun 1886.
iii. Minnie1. Born on 27 Nov 1884.
Married Grainville BLACKBURN1. Born on 10 Aug 1879.
iii. Everett1.
Born on 20 Nov 1889.
Married Achsah BLACKBURN1.
Born on 18 Feb 1893.
iv. Estel1.
Born on 25 Dec 1892.
Married Roy CRUMBAKER1.
11. Alice KEEN.1
Born on 1 May 1862.
Died in 1964, she was 101.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Married William Walter "Buck" WEBBER1.
Born on 29 Feb 1856.
Died in Harrisburg, Saline Co., Il. on 8 Aug 1940, he was 84.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Death cert. #: 114 Harrisburg, saline Co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Walter L.1.
Born on 8 Aug 1889.
Died on 7 Jul 1891, he was 1.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
26 ii. Rinnia (1879-)
27 iii. Charley (1881-1973)
v. Lulu1.
Born on 6 Aug 1886.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
Married Ralph PAYNE1.
Born on 7 Mar 1887.
Died on 21 May 1973, he was 86.
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne City, Wayne Co., Il.
vi. Harry1.
Born on 6 May 1884.
Died on 14 Oct 1949, he was 65.
Buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Married Winnie BLACKFORD1.
Born on 6 Jan 1885.
vi. Lambert1. Married Carroll MELROSE1.
Born in 1865.
Died in 1932, she was 67.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married Sam CRASK1.
Born in 1862.
Died in 1931, he was 69.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had one child:
i. Stella1.
Born in 1883.
Buried in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., Il.
Married Gar BARTON1. Born on 10 Oct 1880.
Born in 1870 in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il.
Died in 1900, she was 30.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Married Lee GARRISON1.
Born in 1865.
Died in 1948, he was 83.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had one child:
i. Elsie1.
Born on 25 Oct 1889.
Died on 10 Oct 1951, she was 61.
Buried in Mulkeytown, Il.
Married Jacob GRINDER1.
Born on 21 Jan 1876.
Died on 8 Nov 1952, he was 76.
Buried in Mulkeytown, Il.
Third Generation
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Born in 1858.
Died in 1883, he was 25.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
In Oct 1879 when Francis was 21, he married Theodosia CRASK1.9
Born on 6 Oct 1859.
Died on 6 Apr 1950, she was 90.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Sina B.1 (1880-1964)
ii. Joseph Willard1 (1882-1959)
Born in 1862.
Died in Four mile Twp, WC, Il. on 25 Feb 1926, she was 64.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 960029 Four Mile Twp., WC, Il.
Married James WEBBER1.
Born in 1844.
Died in Jefferson Co., Il. on 10 Feb 1926, he was 82.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 410046 Jefferson co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Lena1 (1879-)
ii. Minnie1 (1881-1917)
iii. Homer1 (1886-1973)
iv. Otto1 (1892-1914)
v. Stella1 (1896-)
vi. Oscar1 (1899-1965)
vii. Nettie1 (1902-1973)
Born in 1864.
Died in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne Co., Il. on 5 Aug 1916, he was 52.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
Death cert. #: 41114 Hickory Hills WC, Il.
On 15 Nov 1886 when John Lee was 22, he married Mary "Kate" BOZARTH10, daughter of Martin E. BOZARTH (1838-1903) & Mary "Polly" KEEN (1840-1922), in Wayne Co., Il. Born in 1863.
Died in 1950, she was 87.
Buried in Ten Post cemetery, Wayne co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Willie1 (1889-1962)
ii. Frank1 (1894-1963)
iii. Jessie1 (1902-)
17. Edmond F. (Ed) KEEN.1
Born in 1868.
First married Etta SHOOK1. Born in 1869.
They had the following children:
i. Charley1 (1890-1963)
ii. Guy1 (1892-1962)
iii. Glenn1 (1895-1911)