Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-07-03
EG G&rg GG1Mp.
OF TIE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
rzox4s kEAs, OF DELAWARE.

/ father was native OF Ireland, and Thomas was
/ the second child of his parents After receiving
The usual elementary instruction, he placed
under the care of the Reverend Doctor Alison, and
was a pupil under him with George Read Atthe
conclusion of his studies, he entered the office of
1 David Finny, of New Castle, as a law student =
AM so soon did mis- talents become manifest that
in the course of few months after entering upon
I the study OF the law, employed as an assis-
tant clerk of he Court of Common Pleas He
vas admitted to the bar before ne was twenty-one
years of aud permitted to practice IN tie three
counties Of Delaware.
! Mr.. VI Kean soon rose 10 eminence in his pro-
lession and attracted the attention of most Of the
leading nlen of the day. Without any solicitation
or p-emouition. ne was appointed, by the Attorn-
ey General of the Province, ais deputy TO prose
cute all claims for The Crown in the Sussex coun-
/ ty He vas then only twenty-five years old
! The next year 4 757) be admitted TO prac-
tce in the Supreme Court OF Pennsylvania ard
about the same time the House of Assembly Of
+ Delaware elected him their clerk Re declined
a second election in 1893. In 1862, he was ap-
pointed with Cesar Rodney, to revise and print
Jne laws Il tie Province enacted during the ten
/ preceding wears He was elected that year rep
resentativc fer New Castle, TO the General Assem-
T bly This promotion to office was distinguish
81 mark 81 the confidence of the people OF that
district for he mad expressed desire not 10 be e
lecte5, am besides that he had been resident Of
Philadelphia six wears Another singular mani
! festaton of confidence IN ms integrity and Judg
nent was exhibited by the people Of the district.
when at his urgent request, ne was allowed TO re-
linquish his seat in the Legislature. They appon-
ted a committee to wait on him and request him
10 nominate seven proper men proper men IN the
district fer thei7 representatives. This delicate
office re a f-et declined, but on the request being
urgently repeated, and ass frances offered that no
offence should be given. he acceded TO their desi-
res, and those ne named were elected by large ma
jorities.
Mr., HKean was delegate to the STAMP Ac-
Congress in 1865, and was the associate upon
committee with James Ons aud Thomas Lynch
in preparing an address to the British House OF
: Commons. For their services in Congress, he and
his colleague Mr.. Rodney. received the unanimous
thanks Of the Assembly of Delaware.
/ In 1868 ne was appointed by the governor sole
notary public for the @lower counties on the Del
aware, and in rapid succession he received the
offices Of Justice of the Peace Judge 9th Court
IF Common Pleas and Quarter Session, and of the
Orphan Court He with MS colleagues, de6ed the
stamp Act by using uns5amped paper in the Le
+ gal proceedings. In 1906, the governor Of New
Jersey, upon the recommendation Of the Supreme
Court of that State admitted him TO practice il a
rs Of its Courts In 1863 the Assembly OF Dela-
ware employed am 70 proceed to New York and
obtain copies Of historical records, valuable 70 tie
former Province In I77l. he was appointed Col
lsctor OF the Customs for the port OF New Castle
aud the following year lie was elected Speaker OF
re Assemble Of Delaware.
! AIr. ~ Kean zealously opposed the encToach-
raents of British power upon American rights, and
20 heartily eoncurred IN the sentiments Of the Mas
sachuse.ts Circular. recommending General Con
gress. He was elected delegate thereto, pre-
SEN. al the opening on the ftth OF September, Il
/ "A. and soon became distinguished as one Of the
most active men in that august body He contin-
usd member Of the Continental Congress from
from that time until the ratification OF tne treaty
/ o. peace IN 1883. Impressed with the conviction
that reconciliation with Great Britain was out Of
re question. ne zealousIy supported the measure
gaich led 70 q final Declaration Of independence;
ard when It was submitted to congress for action
ne voted for and signed it.
in September. 1876, (although then at the
head Of a regiment under Washington in n, Jer-
sev.l he was chosen member Of = Convention IN
Delaware 10 frame State Constitution Thatin-
strurent was from his pen, and was adopted by a
urarimous vote.
8fr. NJ Keau was claimed as a citizen Of Penn
svivania and Delaware. and ne faithfully served
them both for in 1877 he Chief Justice OF the
former and President Of the latter. In addition to
these Offices he was Speaker Of the Delaware As
serably, and delegate 10 the Continental congress
In ISL. or the resignation of Nh Huntington Of
Connecticut Nh MKean was elected 10 succeed
hin. But he resigned the Office in November fol
lowing.
From the period OF the conclusion Of the war,
Judge AiKean was actively engaged IN Pennsylva-
MA ard Delaware in various services which the
arrangement Of discoFdant political elements into
Symmetrical form Of government required and
has Iabors in aid OF the formation and adoption Of
the Federal Constitution, were various aud ardu-
Gus He cou,5nued in tie chair Of Chief Justice
unt1 he was elected Governor Of that State. To
this Office he was elected three successive terms
and held il nine years. At the session of lso7-8
Of the Pennsylvania Legislature, his opponents pre-
senaed articles Of impeachment for maladmlnistra-
ton, which closed with resolution that Thomas
" Ksau, the Governor Of this Commonwealth, be
irnreached OF high crimes and misdemeanors.- =
The charges were brought fully before the House
cut BY the summary measure Of indefinitely post
pouhg ther consideration they were never acted
uPoa.
The last public act OF Governor VI Kean, was 10
preside over the deliberations of the people Of Phil
adelphia when during the war with Great Britain
in 1912. that city was threatened with an attack