Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-28
ROBERT D. TURNBULL.
shs,eh Of IsIs carssr-His services q shs Bsr
and In Politics.
FLOR the Dlspatch.I

and In Politics.
lFor the Dispatch.l
LAwRENCEvfLLr, VA, I
n january %, 1885.
Another Of the links which connected
the past of Virginia with the present
has been sundered by the death Of Cap
tain Robert Dundas Turnbull, which
occurred at his residence, in this place,
on yesterday the 22d instant, in the
eighty-frst year Of his age, he having
been born in this county in the month
Of August, 1904. After completing his
academic course at Hampden-Sydncy
College, he at an carly age chose the
law as his profession, and to its study
devoted himself with untiring zeal and
energy. Having qualified himself to
enter upon the practice of his chosen
profession, he was licensed and admit
ted to the bar Of this county at a pc
Rod when that bar was composed OF
galaxy of legal talent as brilliant as
ever graced it or any other in the
State. Captain Turnbull was at
once brought in competition with
the erudite scholarship and legal
learning of John E. Shell, Edward
b. Hicks, Judge Edward r. Chambers,
General George c. Dromgoole, Judge
James Gholson. William ii. L. Merritt,
William ii. mcfarland, General
Brodnax, and number of others
whose legal attainments had placed
them in the front rank Of the profess
sion. To have succeeded in competi-
ton with such men, and that, too, in a
profession where charlatanry cannot
long supply the lack of genuine merit,
Enthusiastically attests the profession of
those sterling qualities which consti-
tuted such prominent characteristics
of the deceased from his earliest man.
hood to the day of his death. For a
period Of nearly sixty years he occu-
pied leading position at the bar-witfi
a docket and a retinue of clients second
to those Of no lawyer in this section of
the State. Captain Turnbull's success
in life was due to the singleness of pur-
pose with which he devoted his every
energy Of mind and body to the duties
imposed by his profession ; to a prompt
ness in all business matters, whether
great or small, that knew Of and would
admit of no delay, and to an honesty
and integrity in all of his dealings with
his fellow-men that won for him the eS-
teen and perfect confidence of an entire
community. His career affords an ex-
ample by which the younger members
of the profession may well profit.
In politics he was the staunchcst of
Democrats, but had little or no taste
for political life, and only on two occa-
sions during his long career could he
be enticed from his devotion to his pro-
fession to enter public life. On one
occasion many years ago he yielded to
the earnest solicitations of his fellow
citizens and consented to serve
for one term as delegate from
this county in the Legislature,
and again he yielded to the same impor-
tunity and served as member Of the
Constitutional Convention Of 1850. In
both bodies his course was marked by
an intelligent. faithful, and conscientious
discharge of duty, which won for him
the high regard and esteem Of all with
whom he was brought in contact.
As husband and father. he was ever
kind, tender, gentle. and considerate.
He has gone to his rest full Of years,
honorcd and respected by all who knew
him. Thus has passed away another
representative Of the school of old Vir-
gnia gentlemen, Of whom unfortunately
so few now remain. Is.