Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-14
n. n. q. KEAS DEAD.
This Prominent Lawyer Passes
Away I'm Lynchburg.

LYNCHBURG, VA, June 13.-(Speciai)
Mr.. r. G. II. Kean. who was one OF the
most prominent lawyers In the State,
GIru at his home, In this city, this morn
ing, after an illness OF some weeks.
Robert Garlick Hill Kean was born on
the oath day of october, ISIS. at Mount
Airy, the residence OF his maternal grand
father. In Caroline county. Wa. lie was
the son OF John Vaughan Kean. OF olney,
In the same county, and OF Caroline HUI.
the daughter OF Humphrey Hill. or Mount
Airy.
In 1913 he entered the University OF
Virginia. where he remained five years,
rounding UP his education in every
branch OF the academic department, and
closing with a very complete course OF
study In the law. He took the degrees or
Bachelor or Arts. Master of Arts, and Of
Bacnelor of Laws, and in every school
and in every degree stood first, leaving
the University with as much reputation
for scholarship as any student ever did
After leaving the University he COM
menced the practice OF law. in the city
of Lynchburg, where he soon became
we'll known for his great Information
and for his skill In every department OF
his profession.
When. in 1861. war appeared imminent
and military companies were being form
ed, Mr.. Kean Joined the Home Guard, OF
Lynchburg, under the command or MS
friend, Samuel Garland, Jr., as private
He went as a private with that company,
among the very first troops that lett
Lynchburg to Manassas and served IN
that company during the first battle or
that name. Shortly afterwards. when
the Hon. George Wythe Randolph was
appointed brigadier-general, he was ten
dered, and accepted, the position or ad-
tutaut to General Randolphs Brigade,
and served in that capacity until General
Randolph was appointed Secretary OF
War OF the Confederate States. when MT.
Kean. at General Randolph's request,
was appointed to the responsible position
OF chief OF the Bureau OF War. in which
he was so efficient and rendered such
valuable services that he was retained
by each successive Secretary OF War
until Its close.
When the war closed Mr.. Kean re-
turned to the practice OF his profession
in Lynchburg and continued FOR year
or more in partnership with MIR. Goggin,
and soon was in full practice again. ON
the death OF MIR. Goggin he worked with
out a partner for many years, and was
engaged I'm all the cases of great i'm
portance within the range or MS practice.
Mr.. Kean never aspired TO Office. Du-
ring the first year OF the war, without his
consent or knowledge, he was nominated
for Congress by the soldier element in
his district, and was forcibly made a
candidate against his friend, the Ion.
James =. Holcombe. As he took no part
i'm the election and expressed no desire
TO remain in the field, although he re-
ceived a very handsome vote, he was not
elected The only office he ever had OF
any sort was that Of City Attorney for
the city of Lynchburg, which he held
for fourteen years.
Mr.. Kean was married in 1856 to Jane,
the daughter of Colonel Thomas Jeffer-
son Randolph, of Albemarle, with whom
he lived happily for eight years, when
she died. leaving four children to mourn
her. Afterwards he was married to MISS
Addie Prescott. of Louisiana, who, with
four children, survives him.