Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/48

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

plete poverty of the soutli with regard to munitions of war. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston said of him, "he created the ordnance de- partment out of nothing." Immediately after his appointment, he sent a capable of- ficer to Europe to procure arms and ammuni- tion ; established arsenals ; arranged for the development of lead and copper mines ; and made preparation for the manufacture of artillery and small arms, of powder, and ammunition. Out of this grew the impor- tant bureau of foreign supplies, and the mining and nitre bureau. He displayed rare judgment in the selection of ofScials for the work under his control, and impressed all with whom he came in contact, as an execu- tive officer of remarkable ability and energy. After the war he devoted himself to busi- ness, and for a time was superintendent of the Briarfield Iron Works. He was elected vice-chancellor of the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1872, and v,as made president of the University of Alabama in 1878, and where he remained until failing health obliged him to resign. He was, however, made librarian, and served in that capacity until his death, May 15, 1883. He married a daughter of ex-Gov. Gayle, of Mobile, Alabama.

Kean, Robert Garlick Hill, chief of bureau of war, March, 1862- April, 1865; was born on October 24, 1828, at "Mt. Airy" in Caro- line county, Virginia, the residence of his maternal grandfather, Col. Humphrey Hill. His father was John Vaughan Kean, of "Olney," and his paternal grandfather was Ur. Andrew Kean; ot "Cedar Plams," Goochland county, who came to Virginia from Ireland upon the completion of his education at the University of Dublin. It

is said that Dr. Kean was tendered a chair in the University of Virginia by Mr. Jefl'er- son. Young Kean's mother died when he was three years old, and he was brought up by his aunt. Miss Elizabeth Hill, who taught school at "Mt. Airy." His father married a sect)nd time, and he returned with him to "Olney." He attended the Episcopal High School under Dr. Pendleton, who was after- wards Gen. Lee's chief of artillery. He sub- sequently attended the Concord Academy under the famous teacher, Frederick W. Coleman. In 1848 he entered the University of Virginia, and graduated as Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He subsequently studied law. In 1853, he settled in Lynch- burg, Virginia, and practiced law in part- nership with the late J. O. L. Goggin. He entered the Confederate army as a pri\'ate, Jind after the battle of Manassas was made adjutant-general on the stafif of his kins- man, George W'. Randolph. When Col. Randolph became secretary of war of the C. S. A., Mr. Kean was made chief of the bureau of war. After the war he returned to Lynchburg, and resumed the practice of his profession. He always took a deep in- terest in the welfare of the university, and was for eight years a member of the board of visitors, and rector of the board for four years. During this time, much was done for the university, notably the placing of it upon a better financial condition by refund- ing its debt. At the bar, Mr. Kean was regarded as among the ablest and most learned members of the profession, and was highly regarded by all who knew him. He was for many years a vestryman in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and on the stand- ing committee of the diocese of Southern Virginia. In 1854, he married Jane, daugh-