John Keenan left Prussia/Germany when he was 9 years old. He signed on as a cabin boy (probably in exchange for his passage). Family tradition was that his half brother by the last name of Volkman was a stowaway on the same ship. He sailed and worked on this and other ships sailing in the China Sea and other waters. One ship was a freight trader. It is believed he did not come directly to this country but stayed on the sea on and off until he almost lost his sight from the damage done to his eyes from the glare off the water.

He became a naturalized citizen August 1, 1853 in Tallassahee, Leon County, Florida according to court records.

His first wife was Anna
His second wife was Cynthia Frazier Latham.