Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/36

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\IR<;!X1A lUOCRAPHY

Keith ami Juliet (Chilton) Keith, his wife. In early childhood he was feeble, but his youth was robust. The influence of his mother was salutary in directing his cdu- cction and shaping his life. He was pre- I'ared for college in the schools of his neigh- lorhood, and took his law course at the University of \'irginia, under Professor John U. Minor. On April 16, 1861, he en- listed as a private in the famous Black Horse Cavalry, and in December, 1863, was made adjutant of the Fourth Virginia Cav- alry Regiment. He saw service on many a field, under Payne, Wickham. Fitzhugh Lee and Stuart. The last scene was near Appomattox Court House, where his com- mand drove the enemy back nearly two miles, but was finally intercepted by the Federal (Jen. Ord with an overwhelming force. .After the war he engaged in the prac- tice of law. He was a member of the Vir- ginia legislature. 18^9-70. He was elected circuit judge in the latter year, and by suc- cessive re-elections was continued in that position until January i. 1895, when he was elected to a seat on the bench of the su- preme court of appeals of Virginia, and was soon made president. In January, 1906, he was re-elected for a term of twelve years. He is recognized as a most able lawyer, and most competent judge. He has receiv- ed the LL. D. degree from the W'ashington and Lee University. He was married, Feb- ruary 16, i8«7, to Francis P.arksdale Mor- sf-n. of Warrcnton. \'irginia.

Cardwell. Richard Henry, born at Madi- son. Rockingham county. North Carolina, AuRust I, 1845. son of Richard Perrin Card- well and Klizal.cth Martin (Dalton) Card- well, his wife. In bis y.,„fh he labored on

the farm, and in winter attended school in a nearby village. Losing his father in in- fancy, he met with difficulties in obtaining iiu education, but his mother was an in- spiring influence upon him. He attended the Beulah Male Institute and the Madison Male Academy, but this was the extent of his educational advantages. From 1863 until the close of the war between the states, he served as a private soldier in a North Carolina company, acquitting him- self with soldierly courage and fidelity. At the close of ihe war. he returned to his North Carolina home but in 1869 removed to Hanover county. Virginia, to 1)0 near his wife's people, and engaged in farm work, ami reading law in his spare hours. In 1874 ho was admitted to the bar, and entered upon practice, and had soon drawn to him- self a considerable clientele. From 1881 to 1895 he was a member of the house of dele- gates, and from 1887 to 1895 was speaker. In 1884 he was a Democratic presidential elector, and displayed fine talents as a cam- paign orator. In 1892 he was a meinber of the state debt commission which settled the public debt of Virginia. lie was chairman of the joint committee of the legislature to adjust and settle with Maryland the con- troversy over the boundary line between the two states, and he prepared the report which was adopted by the legislature of Virginia, and accepted by that of Maryland. In 1894 he was elected a member of the supreme court of appeals, for a term of twelve years, and in January, 1906, was re- elected for another term of twelve years. He is known as an admirable jurist — able, in- dustrious, and entirely faithful to his trusts. He was married, February 9, 1865, to Kate Harwood, of Richmond, \'irginia.