The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-14
Most Eminent Lawyer in
Virginia Passes Away
After Brief Illness.
In CONFERENCE
ON SATURDAY
End Came at 1890 O'clock Last
Night as a Shock to His
Many Friends His
Long and Brilliant
Record at the
Bar.

Mr.. Frank Wood Christian, generally
conceded to be the leader Of the bar
OF Virginia. died last night at his home,
No. SIS Park Avenue, after an illness
OF barely two days Mr.. Christian,
who was In his .hfty-seventh year. was
III his usual robust health throughout
last week. and even though unwell
for the last two days, his death came
suddenly as a shock to his family and
friends Last Saturday night he met
a number Of gentleman at the Jcfter-
son Hotel to discuss a business mat
ter. and took vigorous part in set
ting forth the legal aspects OF the case.
Returning to his home that night, he
complained to his law partner. Judge
George L. Christian, OF feeling unwell.
and on Sunday and yesterday was con-
Of no time considered serious.
I Mr.. Christian was the son OF the late
Or. Andrew H. and Mary A. Christian.
OF this city. and was born in Rich
mond, at the home Of his grandfather.
Mr.. Richard Whitfield, on January s.
1851.
Wns An Eminent Lnwyer.
During his childh ood his. father made
his home in Petersburg, and he en-
tered the primary schools there, re-
moving later to Richmond, where he
entered Mr.. Strother's classical school.
from which he graduated. He took
both the academic and law courses at
the University OF Virginia, graduating
in law before reaching the age OF TWEEN
ty-one. After securing his license to
practice in Virginia he formed law
partnership with A1r. c. c. McRae. OF
Chesterfield county. with whom he con-
ftinued for short time. On the re-
tirement of his cousin, Judge George
L. Christian, from the bench of the
Hastings Court, OF Richmond, they
formed a law partnership, dating from
January l. 1883. the firm rapidly be-
coming one OF the most prominent In
Virginia
Mr.. Christians practice vas always
of high type, he having conducted
many contested cases in the Supreme
Court and in the United States Courts,
involving much corporation and lii
'tricate litigation practice. Throughout
his professional life he had always en-
joyed the confidence and esteem OF his
associates. and had generally been re-.
garded as one OF the highest e3pon-
ents OF the principles OF law In the
State, standing in the acknowledged
position as the leader OF the Virginia
bar.
In Many Famous Cases.
mere lldS UdIOly 'Uttu q case ~
note In the last twenty years in which
he had not been retained, his famous
argument In the case OF Tenant VS..
Dunlop being we'll remembered by
Richmond attorneys. Mr.. Christian was
one of the counsel for the State of Vir-
ginia in res tsting the attacks made on
the new Constitution, carrying his case
triumphantly through the highest
courts.
Recently he was appointed one Of The
State proxies for voting the shares OF
the State ofsvirginia in the Richmond.
fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
In this caIacity he had already taken
steps to appear before the Legislature
In Opposition to any action that might
be detrimental to Its interests.
Mr.. Christian at various times had
the offer OF several judgeships and at
one time was rendered seat In the
Virginia Supreme Court, but c.nsist.
emily declined to hold any public OF.
fee. He was an active member OF the
Virginia State Bar Association and Of
the Westmoreland, Commonwealth and
Deep Run Hunt Clubs. Throughout
his life he retained his affection for
outdoor life. and rode to hounds, nl.
ways keeping number OF flne saddle
horses, lsg alsrs .iszalsl. saii1iF ~.