This terrific photo was taken of Dana Jabez Keene and Jessie Belle (known as Belle) Nile in Phillips, Franklin, Maine and is probably their wedding photo.

Dana Jabez Keene was the son of Edwin Keene and Ellen “Nellie” Brown, born on 1 February 1884 in Madrid, Franklin County, Maine.

He married “J. Belle Nile,” aka Belle Jessie Nile, on 28 November 1905, also in Franklin County. Belle was born on 12 March 1890 in Rangeley, Franklin, Maine, the daughter of James Hosea Nile and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Marcia Steward.

Belle lost both of her parents at a young age, as her father died in 1899 and her mother just three years later in 1902. The loss of her parents is likely the reason she married at the very young age (for New Englanders) of fifteen years.

Dana and Belle were the parents of two children – Evelyn May Keene (1907-1998), who married Horatio Burnham, and her younger brother, Bion Calvin Keene (1910-1986), who married Verna Ellen Brayall.

Evelyn and Horatio Burnham were the parents of two sons, who married and have living descendants today.

Bion and Verna Keene were also the parents of two sons. One, Vernon Dana, was born in 1931, but sadly died in 1936. A second son has descendants today.

Dana Keene died in 1941 and Belle married (2) Michael Albert Karkos, 21 November 1945, Franklin County, Maine.

Belle lived well into old age, passing away on 24 May 1975, in Auburn, Androscoggin, Maine.

Dana and Belle are buried together in Farmington, Franklin, Maine and their wedding photo has gone home to a very excited descendant.