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The Supreme Court of Tennessee. Historical and Antiquarian Society from its organization in 1830 to his death. Judge Reese was the first of the judges so long associated to retire. He was not a can didate for re-election on the expiration of his term. Judges Green and Turley remained together for three years longer. Judge Reese was succeeded by Robert J. McKinney. Judge McKinney was born in County

Coleraine, Ireland, on Feb. I, 1803. As was said by his biographer, Col. W. A. Hender son : " An Irishman, like his tobacco plant, can never develop un til he is transplanted. His Green Isle is the hot-bed, and the world is his patch, which he has undertaken to fill." The father of Judge McKinney was a poor man, and he emigrated with his family to America in 1809, finally settling in Hawkins County, East Tenn. The son was for a few months at Greeneville Col lege; but his educa tion was limited. On ROBERT j. leaving college he be came a student in the law office of his uncle, John A. McKinney, at Rogersville. His predilection was for the common law, and his time was devoted to the mastering of its intricacies. He was admit ted to practice in 1824. His earlier profes sional life was bare of pecuniary reward. His diffident, almost timid manner did not inspire that confidence in him that his talents merited. After having been some years at the bar, it chanced that by reason of the sudden illness of the senior counsel, with whom he was associated in an important will case, the responsibility of the conduct of the 23

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whole case fell to him. He displayed such unlooked-for qualities in its management that it attracted to him the favorable notice of the whole circuit that he rode, throughout which the causes célèbres were discussed. The professional advancement that he had so long waited for and so well prepared for by diligent study, now came to him rapidly. He accumulated a fortune from his profes sional income. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1834. He took a most im portant part in its discussions, and many sections of the Con stitution it proposed bore the impress of his work. In 1836 he was an elector for the State at large in the interest of the candidacy of Senator Hugh Lawson White for President. His ticket carried Tennes see; but his candi date was overwhelm ingly defeated in the general result. On the retirement of Judge Reese in 1847, MCKINNEY. he was unanimously elected his successor by the Legislature, without solicitation on his part. He was chosen for a second term at the popular election after the change of the Constitution. lie continued as an active judge for fourteen years, until December, 1 86 1, when the war between the States caused a suspension of the court. Judge McKinney was opposed to the secession of Tennessee; but when that action was finally taken, he acquiesced in it and declared his allegiance to his State. He was one of the three men composing the Peace Commission, appointed by Gov. Isham G. Harris, which proceeded