John A. McKeen passed peacefully away at 6 o’clock last Friday evening at his home in this city, following an illness of eight months duration. He suffered from a nervous affection at first but other complications arose and he was compelled to take to his bed just a month ago. The funeral was held at the family residence, on the corner south of the city hall, at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. J. B. Williams, pastor of the Christian church, offered prayer but the I.O.O.F. had charge of the service. The body was taken to Omaha by auto hearse to catch a train for Quincy, Ill., where he had often requested that burial be made by the side of his parents and two sisters. Mrs. McKeen and daughter, Helen, and brother, Fred Ellerbrock, of Norfolk, accompanied the body to Quincy, where the I.O.O.F. and W.O.W. lodges conducted the burial rites. Mr. McKeen was born near Buffalo, New York, July 27th, 1854, and was therefore just past 63 years of age. His family removed to Quincy, Ill., when he was but five years old and so he grew to manhood there. He came to Blair as superintendent of the construction of the Blair bridge over the Missouri river and remained in charge of the big structure for a number of years afterward. He was married here to Miss Anna T. Ellerbrock Jan. 24th, 1884, and this was their home ever since. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Helen, and two brothers, Will, of this city, and George, of Portland, Oregon. Among those here to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ellerbrock and son, of Norfolk, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ellerbrock and son, Orval, and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Graham, of Fremont, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Voss, Will Voss, Mrs. Chas. Voss and Mr. and Mrs. Will Faber, of Omaha, W. R. Smith and wife, Hugh Coulthard and wife, Hiram Sigler and wife, J. M. Sigler and wife and Wm. Quinlan, from across the river. The bereaved family have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.

#2-Published in the Tribune September 12, 1917

John McKeen, well-known citizen of Blair died at his home in this city on last Friday evening after an illness of eight months of which time the last month he was confined to his bed constantly. When the end came he went peacefully and without pain.

Mr. McKeen was born in Buffalo, New York in 1854 and lived there until about ten years of age when with his parents he moved to Quincy, Ill., where he resided until manhood.

When he had attained his maturity, he entered the bridge construction work and that is what brought him to Blair in 1881 as superintendent of the construction of the Blair Bridge. He remained in Blair and in 1884 he and Mrs. McKeen were married. He continued in the employment of the railroad company at this place until 1895 when he moved to Blair and later built the fine home which the family now occupies.

He leaves to mourn him the wife, daughter and two brothers, Will, of this city and George of Portland, Ore.

The body was taken to Quincy, Ill., his boyhood home for interment.

#3-Published in the Blair Democrat September 13, 1917

Remains of John A. McKeen Laid To Rest At Quincy, Ill.

John A. McKeen, a resident of Blair since 1881, died at the family residence on Walker Avenue at 6:30 Friday evening, Sept. 7, 1917, from the effects of a general nervous breakdown. He had been confined to the house for about eight months, but had been bedfast only about one month.

John A. McKeen was born near Buffalo, N.Y., July 27, 1854, and moved to Quincy, Ill., with his parents when ten years old. There he grew to manhood, and entered the bridge construction business, coming to Blair in 1881 as superintendent of the North Western Bridge across the Missouri river, which position he held for a number of years. In 1892 he went into the Marble business with John A. Larkin, which partnership was later dissolved, Mr. McKeen continuing the business himself up to a couple of years ago when he sold the business to Schmidt Bros. He was married Jan. 24, 1884, to Miss Anna T. Ellerbrock. To this union one child, a daughter, Helen, was born. He is survived by his wife and daughter and two brothers, George of Portland, Ore., and William of Blair.

The funeral was held from his late residence Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. being in charge of the I.O.O.F. lodge, Rev. J.B. Williams of the Christian Church, preached the funeral sermon. At his own request the body was taken to Quincy, Ill., and buried by the side of his parents and two sisters. The remains were accompanied to their last resting place by his wife, and daughter and a brother-in-law, Fred Ellerbrock, of Norfolk.

Out of town people at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ellerbrock and son, of Norfolk, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ellerbrock, and son, of Fremont, Mr. and Mrs. Will Faber, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Voss, Will Voss, and Mrs. Chas. Voss, of Omaha.

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~