The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-14
A NOTED LAWYER
GONE TO HIS REST
R. G. H. Rean, of lynchburg, Died
at His Home in That City.
ONE OF GALAXY OF BRIGHT STARS
He was One Oft Ablcst Lawyers at
the Virginia Bar, and Held Impor-
ant Position i'm the Confederate
Goyernment-Brillia Mind

e
LAWYERS I'm Virginia, died at his home
on Court street this morning at 8 o'clock
after an Illness of several weeks dura-
ton.
For ten or fifteen days prior TO his
death. Mr.. Kean had been in such a crit
zeal condition that but little II any hope
for his recovery was entertained. As a
last resort, an operation OF most dell
cate nature was resorted to, and is sue
cess and the satisfactory symptoms with
which II was Immediately accompanied,
inspired those about him with the nope
that he would rally
In a Few hours. the malady with which
he suffered assumed an even more serious
character and IL was soon recognized
that the vital forces of the sufferer were
not sufficient to enable him TO Daihe the
inroads OF the disease.
For several days he remained In an un-
conscious condition. and on Sunday
morning. his friends and relatives realz-
ed that he was rapidly sinking and that
his death was Only a matter Of Few
hours. ..,,
Robert Garlick Hill Kean was one
of the brilliant galaxy OF law
yers who have illuminated the
Jurisprudence OF Virginia Tor mar
a century. John II. Guy Leigh H.
Page
Tones John Randolph Tucker. Waller II.
STAPLES. r. C. Burks. Thomas J. Kirk
patrick. William j. Robertson, and now.
the equal Of any OF them. Y. q. II. kean'
All leaders. and all within half a decade
have been removed from the scene OF
their usefulness and triumphs. Seldom
has any State. even Virginia. been so
rich at one time in great jurists. and
never has a State lost so many in so
short a time.
Mr.. Kean was born on the 2ith day OF
October. 1923. at Mount Airy, the resi-
dence Of his maternal grandfather, In
Caroline county, Virginia. lie was the
son OF John Vaughan Kean. Of Olney, In
the same county. and of Caroline Hill.
the daughter Of Humphrey Hi, OF
Mount Airy.
HIS PARENTAGE
His fathers name was Dr.. Andrew
Kean. a very noted physician OF MS day
whose home was In Louisa county, but
who practiced from Charlottesville al
most 20 within sight OF Richmond. lie
was an Irishman. who took his diploma
from the University OF Dublin, and had
great reputation: indeed. SO great. that
when the University Of Virginia was es-
tablished he was offered one OF the
chairs in the Medical School by Mr..
Jefferson. who always sent for him In
great emergencies and know his great
value.
MIR. Kean lost his mother when he was
very Young. and his early life was spent
between Olney. the home of his father
and Mount Airy, the home OF MS grand
father. and his early education was re-
ceived at the hands Of his aunt, MISS
Elizabeth G.. Hill, who had much repu-
tation at that time as q teacher, and
ct
upon the mind Of her nephew that accu-
racy which marked his whole profess
sional life.
When too old to attend the school at
Mount Airy, he was sent TO the Episcopal
High School over which the Rev W. \.
Pendleton then presided. From there he
went 10 a school near Port Royal. taughl
by a Mr. Buckner, where he remained
one year. and then entered as prepara-
tory to the University Of Virginia, the
famous Concord Academy in Caroline
county. taught by Mr.. Frederick Cole
man. where he soon rose 10 the front
rank and was regarded as one Of the
hest scholars ever turned out from that
institution.
fu 1S4S 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. lie took the degrees or
bachelor of Arts Master OF Arts and OF
Bachelor of Laws. and in every school
and in every degree stood hrst. leaving
the University with as much reputation
for scholarship az any student evor did
After leaving the University he COM
menced the practice or law in the city
of Ivnchburg. where he soon became
we'll known for his great information and
for his skill in every department Of his
profession. When he had been Al the bar
for many years. he formed partner
shin with the late j. .. l.. Goggin, and
the firm Of Goggin & Kean. az the
breaking out Of the war was az the head
Of the bar in this city. When war APP
reared imminent and military companies
were being formed. Mr.. Kean joined the
Home Guard Of Lynchburg. under the
command Of his friend Samuel Garland
Jr.. as a private.
HIS WAR RECORD.
When war came he went as "A private
with that cOmpny, among the very
first troops that left, 20 Manassas, ana
served in that company during the first
battle Of that name. Shortly afterwards.
when the Honorable George Wythe Ran
dolph was appointed Brigadier General,
he was rendered. and accepted. the
position of adjutant to General Ran
dolph's Brigade. and served In that ca
pacity until General Randolph was APP
pointed Secretary OF War OF the Con-
federate States. when Mr.. Kean. at
General Randolph's request. was appoint
ed to the responsible position OF chief Of
the bureau OF war. in which ne was so
efficient and rendered such valuable ser
vices that he was retained by each sue
cessive Secretary of War until its close.
This position gave him the opportunity
of knowing probably more Of the secret
history and the internal workings or the
government during that historic period
than any living man, and IL is much 10
be regretted that from the notes In his
possession, he did not do what he often
Intended to do-prepare for posthumous
publication his recollections OF those
times. He was often urged to do this
and II was in his mind to do II, when
! he was In a position TO rest from his pro-
fessional labors, but II was not done.
When the war closed Mr. kean re-
turned to the practice of his profession
I'm Lynchburg and contsued for year
or more IN partnership with Mr.. Goggin,
and soon was in full practice On the
death of Mr.. Goggin he worked without
a partner for many years. and was en-
! gagged in all the cases or great lmpor-
lance within the range OF his practice.
The reports Of the Court of Appeals
show many cases in which his arguments
impressed upon the Jurisprudence OF the
| State the great principles OF law, ana
| every successive court bore testimony 70
the logic of his eloquence the accuracy
-. go Il. 10