The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-05
EX-SENATOR JOHN KEAN
DIES IN JERSEY HOME
Makes Gallant Fight for Life
During Many Months Of
Illness.

ELrzABErH, ~ j.. Nov 4.-Forner
United States Senator John Kean died Al
his home in Ursina, Union county to-day.
He had been I'll several months Of Bright's
disease and was In a critical condition q
month ago. Later he rallied. but suf-
fered a relapse a week ago.
Former United States Senator John
Kean had great wealth, distinguished
ancestry and important financial con-
nections.
He was born on December T. 1852. IN
Liberty Hall, at Ursino, Union county.
New Jersey, Just outside of Elizabeth. a
home which had been built before tho
Revolution by Gov Livingston. and which
had been used ms headquarters By
Washington. Liberty Hall continues to
attract slghtseers.
John Kean was tho third Of nine
children. one of the founders and the first
president Of the Central Railroad OF
New Jersey. He was sent to boarding
school and later to Yale. but he left
| there in the middle of his arts course
and studied law at the Columbia law
school. He was graduated with IA law
| degree In 1875 and was admitted to the
! bar. but he never praCtiscd law. lie
went straight into business with his
| father whose interests by that time had
! spread over a number % different cor
! poratons. Young Eean was trained to
succeed his father, upon whose retirement
the son took the direction Of all tho
| corporations.
Senator kean. inheriting great wealth,
| increased 1t greatly. Later in life he was
the president and majority stakeholder Of
the Elizabeth Water Company. the Eliza
beth Gas Company. the Elizabeth Trolley
| Company. vice-president of the Manhat
tan Trust Company of New York. inter
csted in the banking firm of kean. Van
| Cortlandt q Go. 80 Pine street, of which
his brother, Hamilton Fish kean, was
the active head. a director Of the East
Jersey Water Company, the Public Service
Corporation of New Jersey, president and
largest stakeholder of the National State
Bank of Elizabeth. trustee Of the Atlas
Insurance Company OF London. treasurer
and director of tho Pacific Coast Company.
director OF the Securities Company. ana
was interested in large number OF other
corporations
Mr.. Kean went into politics early in
life. In 1882, when he was 80 years
old his activity In the Republican county
committee Of Union county was rewarded
BY A nomination for Congressman, and he
won lie was defeated for reelection In
1884, but won again in 1885.
! lie was recognized as strong factor
in state politics. and in 1891 he was
elected state chairman of the Republican
: committee year later he was nomi-
: mated for Governor, but was defeated by
the Democratic candidate, George 1
Werts. John w. Griggs. later Attorney
General. won the nomination for Governor
, from Mr. <ean in 1895,
= Mr. Keau was elected TO tho Cnlted
: states Senate by the New Jersey Iegis
/, lature In 1899 and was reelected for the
d term l905-ll.
= In the Senate he very seldom spoke
l. but was n potent ctor in shaping cor
= poration legislation. particularly SUCH o.
e il as applied TO railroads. lie served
II on the Committee on Interstate Com
i merce with Senators Aldrich. Elk!ns anc
Crane
Is Senator Kean VS. related to Col
Is Roosevelt He was a widowcr ana Ter
- FIVE children. Miss Susan l." Lucy IL
Z Elizabeth Alexander Livingston ant
n Julian H. He maintained town hous
d nj S44 Fifth avenue. His clubs wer
le the University, Metropolitan, Knicker
"a booker Brook. Down Town, Essex
IN Newark. Essex County Country Club Ne'
le york Yacht and Authors.