Frederick W. Keene was born at Charles Place, Kentish Town, London, England, on March 28, 1856. In 1870, he with his parents set sail for America and settled in London, Ontario, Canada. He entered Woodstock College, but owing to ill health, left before he completed his course. In 1876, he married Miss Ellen Wright, a teacher of music and fine arts in Canada. They were blessed with five children.
