Keener Township is one of thirteen townships in Jasper County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 10,625 (up from 10,110 at 2010[2]) and it contained 4,176 housing units.
Keener Township was established in 1858[3] and probably named after Jacob Keener, who settled in South Bend in 1855.[4] A cabinet maker, stockholder of the Union Cabinet company as well as a politician, policeman, and saloon owner in South Bend, Jacob also established the Apollo - the "first German garden and place of amusement" in South Bend and a "favorite resort for politicians of both parties." The first German theater and masquerades in South Bend were held there.[5]
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 48.26 square miles (125.0 km2), of which 48.11 square miles (124.6 km2) (or 99.69%) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km2) (or 0.31%) is water.[2]
The township contains three cemeteries: Cemetery of the Resurrection, DeMotte Cemetery, and First Church Cemetery (informally known as Holland Cemetery).
Keener Township residents are eligible to obtain a free library card from the Jasper County Public Library.[6]