Section 14 of Wagon Ruts West

The following selection is taken from "Wagon Ruts West" written & published by Ralph Ray Keeney in 1983. The book is currently out of print. This section is published with the kind permission of Ralph Ray Keeney. The book this selection is drawn from is under copyright and permission has been granted for educational purposes and it is not to be used in any way for any profit or commercial venture.

"History of The Willamette Valley"
Chapman Pub. Co- - 1903

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KEENEY

(B. 1865 - Lane Co. Ore. - D. 1935 - Eugene, Ore.)
Son of Andrew Jackson and Amanda Jane Keeney

Benjamin Franklin Keeney was born on his Father's farm in Lane County, Oregon, just south of Goshen, Oregon.

From the District schools, Benjamin went to Monmouth College, where his apt mind and powers of concentration accomplished far more in a given time than does the average student. For several terms he applied his knowledge as an educator, remaining in the meantime on the home farm where he worked in the harvest fields during the summers.

After his marriage with Martha Cummings, he went to housekeeping on a part of the old claim of his Fathers'. To himself and wife were born two children, Hugh C. and Hobert S. His second marriage occurred in 1902 to Charity A. Taleaferro, a native of N.C.

It was difficult to find a more perfectly appointed farm than that purchased in the early days by the elder Keeney. His son now added those aids to modern agriculture, which rob the occupation of its hard and discouraging aspect, and in their place substitute the possibility of an earlier acquired competence. Poultry raising is a department of activity to which Mr. Keeney has devoted a most considerable study, and is one of the best authorities on poultry to be found in the State. With practical results he has raised Barred Plymouth Rocks, this fine breed reaching its highest excellence under his scientific treatment. In this connection, he is a member and secretary of the Willamette Poultry Association, with headquarters at Eugene, and member of the State Poultry Association. A staunch adherent of Republicanism, Mr. Keeney has been prominently identified with official undertakings in the country; having served as constable, justice of the peace, deputy sheriff, deputy clerk, school clerk for 13 years, deputy assessor, for eight years, and notary public. He is a welcome member of numerous fraternal gatherings, including the Independent Order of Oddfellows, the Knights of The Maccabees, and the Woodmen of The World. Possessing marked financial and executive ability, geniality of manner, and the power to transfer his ideas and enthusiasm to others, with whom he is associated, Mr. Keeney is deservedly popular and influential and a leader in all forward movements of his native country.

Footnote: Benjamin Franklin Keeney passed away in 1935, at the age of 70.