The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-04-03
The LAT. william F. Kei,h, ESQ.

The subject Of this notice was born In this vicinity
1t the well known homestead where his venerable fatheE
still resides; aud departed this life at his residence la
Athens the 9th day Of March, 1881, ia the S5i year
Of Vi age lie the fourth oil the Hon Charies
v. Keith, so faVoraby known and deeply endeared to
the people Of Tennessee by the upright and faithful dis
charge OF his public duties Judge Of the Third Ju-
dcid Circuit through long series Of years. An ill.,
innate association with the deceased from the dawn Of
his childhood till his DEATH while enables the writer
to speak Of MIN from his own personal knowledge aud
express the emotio Of his own heart, cOnvnees him
that mere obituary sketch like the present afford
but imperfect tribute to the merits 81 the dead,
the memories Of the past The playmate Of childhood,
the school companion Of bOyhoOd. the felow-studeni
OF maturer years, the classic scholar the III orator
the devoted advocate, e eminent lawyer, tie son, III,
brother, the husband and the eitiEenas exempied in
his brief, though brilliant, e-al deserve better II
lustraton than the limits prescribed Tor this article will
afford The rudments OF his education were acquired
~ Forest Hill Academy Athens under the tuition
OF Mr. Charles p Samuel, whose eminent Ial hcaons
AS an instructor OF youth still gratefully remem
bered by many who may chance TO see this humble
rbute-under whose udicous training he early evine
ed an order Of talents and Zeal In the attainment
knowledge which gave earnest Of that career OF use
ness and distinction from the midst OF which he has
been stricken down. His Academic course Was mark
ed by warmth OF heart, smsbility OF department.
Kindness OF dispositions promptness in the discharg
Of duty, and progress OF attainment that rendered
him in buyhood favorite OF his teachers and
pride OF the school, In ls4l, being then In his six
teenth year. he entered the Fast Tennessee University
At Knoxville where he laid broad and deep the founda
tion OF that development
and mental achievement which, although broken OF by
Heath In the bloom Of his manhood will Of itself stand
tlastng monument to his memory. H. graduated with
the first honors OF his class in August 1874 Ills Col
egiate course was one Of intense application and Ia
borous study. During the three years Of hi. prpilagc
In that institution he seldom known to fail IN r.
citation or omit required duty. The high order OF his
natural endowments, aided by his stuious devotion.
early for him the admiration of the Faculty AZ the
head OF which the lamented Estabrook and placed
him prominent among the most gifted students Of that
then hourshng institution, while his gentles any de-
pertinent secured to him universal favor and esteem
1t here that he first disc vered those powers OF 70
elocution which gave him almost immediate prom
inence upon his subseq tent admission to the bar
Many Of his youthful Efforts before the literary ociees
OF the University and the Knoxville public sought
FOR publication, and still remembered with r' assure
by those who heard or rea' BEN. Ah'r ohti In
baccaaureate degree at College he entered upon tn
study OF law under the direction Of his honored faher
which he continued to prosecute with energy and levo.
ton until in s45 he entered the University ofVirginia nj
Charlottesville, student oflaw. where he graduated
with honorable distinction In june 1916 During his
connection with that institution he was unanimous,
chosen by his class consisting Of shout l50 members.
to deliver their Anniv rsary Address, which pub.
lished in pamphlet form, and OF itself would have en-
titled an author OF maturer to eminent itera-
ry and scientific rank. Al the close Of his connection
with the Virginia University he turned 10 the county
Of his nativity obtained law license and entered upon
the practice OF his profession In 1887 the degree n
Master OF Arts was conferred upon him by the East
tennessee University Ills brilliant talents, high state
Of mental training, assduous Il voon to the interest
OF his clients and geutemanly deporm secured ~
him almost immediate prominence ut the bar and ea"
gained him high rank in his profession lucrative
practice and large circle Of grateful clients was his
almost immediate rewqrd His profession was his idol
and ut an age when most Of Its dvotess have scarcely
merged from its quarantine, he had PLACED hms.l' In
Its front ranks w"n rapidly rising to greatness be has
been stricken d WI nv the nsatnte monster. Tn 1874
he married 10 Miss Jenn-tte H.. only daughter ~
Co. Charles Jordan, of Monticello. Georgi-. Young
lady OF rare accomplishments amiahy and lovel ness.
whose hopes and happiness within less than three hre
have been crushed and hlightrd nv this sad and
acrinp herea vement. In all the relations Of We III
deceased mai tanned character fr kindness. an 'or
AMI integrity. which constitutes his lose public he
rea vrmpnt as well social and domestic calamity.-
with his eve steadily fixed anon III goal ~ his pro'es
applause to seek for pubic pref.rmen'; and hid he
been permitted n have lived there can he little dorh
that he would have attained the highest honors of hi
profession His intercourse with the courteous
aud kind and with society upright and nh'iprr
For ahout before his death his healh had been
gradually giving way until finally violent pulmonary
attack sneelv wrought his dissolution VIZ surrender
ed his lie with the calmness and resig,a ion ~ rr's
tian PHILOSOPHER and in the l'ness o. N" chri.'ans
hone THIS he has fallen In the 1lsh "' his manhood
and In the midst Of his of from his 30
cis, and domestic rnde- rmenis his br;m hops md
brilliant prospects, 10 mingle his manly drst with its
parrn earth. His remains are inrrr' NJ III" hosritn
he homestead NJ his father. The same Nari'v mansion
which shaded his IN nnry casts lee frirndv shadow
upon h's tomb and he braezns which co rerentv
tann'dh HE childhood now sing lis mournh' requiem
amid thu branrhes and Collage o. his anres'r"l oots
He has left heart stricken widow AGED father
family ~ kind and 1T rt'onate brothers and sisters pnd
large circle NJ friends and relatives TO dep!ore his
untim.'v death.
cite hand 81 the reaper tntes the that are hoary
Rrt the voice Of the wapper waits manhood In glory
The aut-n winds rushing the that are seres
but ,wer In flushing WHEN b'igh'ng was near
est"
MAY his friends take consolation from the remem.
branre OF what he and the hopes that lii IL passage
the tomb and his ashes rest In peare until God
shall gather them up to bright and tissfu Immortality