Cumberland County, Maine - Fernald L. Keene
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Biography
Fernald L. Keene
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 250-251

Fernald L. Keene, a sagacious and enterprising farmer of Otisfield, was born in
Oxford, Me., May 3, 1851, son of Lemuel C. and Martha E. (Emery) Keene. His
father was a native and lifelong resident of Oxford, where he was prosperously
engaged as a tiller of the soil during the active period of his life, being
known as an industrious farmer and a useful citizen. He died October 21, 1865.
His wife, Martha E. Emery, who was a native of Poland, Me., became the mother of
four children, namely: William E., who died October 5, 1865; Fernald L.; Anna
E., who died August 13, 1858; and Ida F., whose death occurred September 21,
1862 - the only living child being Fernald L., the subject of this sketch. The
mother died October 29, 1865.

Fernald L. Keene received his education in the common schools of Oxford; and, as
his parents died when he was fourteen years old, he was thus early thrown upon
his own resources. He found employment as a farm laborer in Oxford and the
vicinity until reaching the age of twenty, at which time he went to Boston, and
for the succeeding two years was employed at a public institution. He then spent
two years as a car conductor, at the expiration of which time he secured a
position as employee at the Massachusetts Insane Asylum in Worcester, where he
remained for a like period. Returning to Maine, he purchased a farm in
Otisfield, which he carried on for a short time, and then selling out went to
Providence, R. I., where he passed the next two years as an officer at the House
of Correction. Thence he went to Meriden, Conn., and was for four years
superintendent of the Reform School Farm at that place, capably performing the
duties of the position. In 1888 he bought his present farm in Otisfield, and has
since resided here, being profitably engaged in agriculture, which he finds a
congenial occupation. He owns one hundred and forty acres of well-located land,
upon which he has made various improvements; and besides general farming and
stock raising he has for several years devoted some attention to the
entertainment of summer boarders, having every convenience for their comfort,
and having admirably succeeded in attracting and retaining their patronage.

On May 25, 1884, Mr. Keene was united in marriage with Miss Kate Louisa Black,
who was born in Devonshire, England, August 12, 1858, a daughter of James Gibson
and Mary Elizabeth (Burnett) Black. Her parents, who were prosperous farmers in
England, are both now deceased, her father dying in 1866, and her mother in
1873. After their death she came to the United States to live with her sister,
and was for some time a resident of Keene, N. H. She was subsequently employed
at the House of Correction in Providence, R.I., where she first met her husband;
and the were married in Meriden, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Keene have one son, William
L., who was born in Meriden, Conn., June 26, 1885. Mr. Keene is a Democrat in
politics, and has ably filled several of the town offices. His society
affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Worcester, Mass.
In his religious views he is a Baptist, Mrs. Keene being an Episcopalian.