af"
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-
