An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 399-400
	
	PATRICK O'KEANE has constantly resided in Vancouver for more than thirty
four years, and during that period has 	been prominently identified with the
best interests of Clarke county, has been closely connected with the business
element of the city of Vancouver, and is recognized as one of its most
progressive arid worthy citizens. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, March 17,
1828, a son of James and Catherine O'Keane, natives also of that country. 
	Patrick, the fourth in a family of eleven children, emigrated with his
parents to America in 1847, locating in Ottawa county, Illinois. On account of
ill health he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1849; three years later went to
New Orleans, but as the yellow fever was raging there at the time he returned to
Illinois in 1853. Mr. O'Keane visited in Naples, that State about two months,
but in the fall of the same year went again to St. Louis and New Orleans. In
June, 1854, he started from New Orleans and went by water to the Golden State,
and in due course of time arrived in San Francisco, where he remained until
October, 1857. He then took passage on the steamer Old Republic, for Portland,
Oregon, but the vessel was stranded in the Columbia river, and he was
transferred to the old Multnomah. He made his home in Portland until 1859,
although a few months of that time was spent in Salem. Mr. O'Keane took up his
residence in Vancouver, and since that time has been connected with many
important enterprises. He owns both residence and business property in the city,
also valuable timber land in the interior of the county. One tract, located
twelve miles northeast, of Vancouver, contains 560 acres, and embraces some of
the most valuable timber to be found in the State, consisting of ash, oak, fir
and spruce. Mr. O'Keane is financially interested in the Commercial Bank of this
city, and was one of the early stockholders in the Vancouver, Klickitat and
Yakima Railroad.
	November 30, 1861, in Portland, Oregon, he was united in marriage to Miss
Hannah McGrath, a native of Ireland. They have four children: James T., Frank
P., Mary A., and Elizabeth. In political matters, our subject is a stanch and
steadfast Democrat, and although he has never sought public honors, has
represented the welfare of the city in the council. Socially, he affiliates with
the Hibernian Benevolent Association, and religiously the family are consistent
members of the Catholic Church.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.