Judge George Robertson Mckee

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Judge George Robertson Mckee

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky, USA
Death: May 12, 1889 (78)
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky, USA
Place of Burial: Frankfort Cemetery (Plot: Sec A Lot 16 Grave 1), Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky USA
Immediate Family:

Son of Samuel McKee and Martha “Patsy” McKee
Husband of Maria McKee and Sarah Hart McKee
Father of Samuel Mckee; Henry Wingate McKee; Lucien Wingate Mckee and Jane "Jeannie" Duncan Mckee
Brother of Col. William Robertson McKee; Jane Logan Duncan; Lucian McKee and Dr. Alexander Robertson McKee, M.D.

Managed by: Judith "Judi" Elaine (McKee) Burns
Last Updated:

About Judge George Robertson Mckee

birthplace also given as - Lancaster, Garrard, Ky.

Centre College Alumni Directory Published 1890. 1829 graduate. Garrard co. George Robertson McKee Was born May 27, 1810, in Lancaster, KY, the son of Samuel McKee of Rockbridge county, VA, and Martha (Robertson) McKee, of Garrard county, KY.

     He was a Lawyer and judge.  He d. 12 May 1889 Covington, Campbell, Ky

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5 George Robertson McKee son of Honorable Samuel and Martha R McKee married first Maria Cook of Lancaster County Kentucky  They had one son Samuel born July 3 1835 He was in the Union Army during the Civil War and was undoubtedly killed as he never returned to Kentucky 

George R McKee married for second wife October 5 1843 Sarah H Wingate of Frankfort Kentucky Children Lucien W August 28 1847 died September 24 1867 Jeanie Duncan July 18 1849

George R McKee was a man of very high order of ability great learning unswerving fidelity spotless integrity and undaunted courage As a lawyer he stood in the front rank of a bar that had no superior in the United States In 1844 Governor Letcher appointed him judge of the Circuit Court for what was then known as the Upper District adjoining Virginia He was repeatedly a member of the General Assembly of Kentucky was a resident of Covington where he died May 12 1889 - A Genealogy of the Buford Family in America: 1903 pg. 105

RECORD

1. George Wilson McKee, McKees of Virginia and Kentucky, the, Pittsburgh, J. B. Richards, 1891, pg. 86 -90
HON. GEORGE ROBERTSON M'KEE.

Hon. George Robertson McKee, second son of Hon. Samuel McKee, was a lawyer, a man of profound learning, and one of Kentucky's most brilliant orators. But, above all. he was ever noted for his integrity, and his contempt for everything that was mean, underhand or unmanly. It was not in his nature to be insincere to any man. Open-hearted and generous, while possessing a keen wit and fine conversational powers, he was. from his youth. ever popular with the Kentuckians. As one of them said to the writer, some years ago in New York City: " He is steel-clad in honor, and respected from the mountains to the river.' Probably an epitome of his life could not be better expressed than in the following obituary notice of him, which I have selected from many that appeared in the newspapers at the time of his death, which occurred May 12th, 1889.

OBITUARY HON. GEORGE R. m'kee.

Peacefully as closes a perfect day there yesterday afternoon ended a life well rounded and well spent, when, after a few days' illness, at his residence, 528 Garrard street, Covington, Ky., there passed to life eternal Judge George R. McKee, who was born in what is now Garrard County, Ky., on the 27th of May, 1810.

He was a man of very high order of ability, large learning, unswerving fidelity, spotless integrity and undaunted courage.

As a lawyer, he stood in the front rank of a Bar that had no superior in the United States. As a Judge, he was prompt, courteous, able, fair and just. As a citizen, he appreciated his duties and responsibilities, and discharged them well. As a neighbor, he was accommodating to the extent of self-sacrificing. As a husband and father, he was loyal, affectionate and indulgent. His life, beginning almost with the dawn of the present century, closes at a ripe age, having witnessed great changes, wonderful innovations and undreamed-of advancement. His immediate ancestors were among the sturdy pioneers who hewed and fought their way through the wilderness, laying the groundwork for what has made Kentucky the fair Commonwealth that she is. His relatives distinguished themselves upon the field, in the forum and on the bench. Kentucky's famed chief Justice Robertson was his uncle and Col. W. R. McKee, who fell at Buena Vista while bravely leading his gallant Kentuckians, was his only brother, and george R. McKee can be truly said to have had the legal ability of the one and the heroic courage of the other. In 1844 Governor Letcher appointed him Judge of the Circuit Court for what was then known as the Upper District. adjoining Virginia.

Of his capacity and career as a Judge, the justly celebrated Ben Hardin (in what is known as his Owsley speech) said of him :

" He conducted himself with great dignity and propriety as Judge, and his legal attainments qualified him well for the office. Moreover, nature had been exceedingly kind to him in giving him a fine understanding and a clear, vigorous capacity, and not a kind of mind to be caught by the technicalities of the law."

Judge McKee had repeatedly been a member of the General Assembly of Kentucky, and often urged to be a candidate for other official positions, but public life had not for him the charms that prove so irresistible to others. He had been a resident of Covington for the past sixteen year- and will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned. His wife a Miss Win- gate of Frankfort, and their only child, Miss Jennie, survive him. and were with him con- stantly during his illness. Their devotion to him and his to them were ever beautiful and touching, and to them the sympathy of many will be extended.

The funeral services will be conducted at the residence, this (Monday) afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, and the remains will be taken on Tuesday morning, via the Iv. K. R. R. to Frankfort, and there interred in historic ground. This short and imperfect sketch is hastily penned by one who knew. Judge McKee well and admired him greatly; one who knows that he was incapable of a dishonest or dishonorable act: one who grieves for the separation that has taken place, but. standing at the bier of this dead friend, appreciating his stainless character, adopts hopefully the words :

" Say not good night, but in some fairer clime bid me good morning." B.

Hon. George R. McKee was twice married. His first wife was Maria Cook, of Lancaster, Ky., and one child, Samuel, was born to them July 3, 1835. Samuel went to the U. S. Naval Academy, but did not graduate.

He was engaged in the late War of the Rebellion on the Union side, and was undoubtedly killed, as he never returned to Kentucky, and nothing was ever heard of him afterwards.

After the death of his first wife, Hon. George R. McKee married Sarah Hart Wingate, of Frankfort, Ky., October 5, 1843. The children from this marriage were :

Lucien Wingate McKee, born August 28, 1847; died September 24, 1867.

Jeanie Duncan McKee, born July 18, 1849.

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Judge George Robertson Mckee's Timeline

1810
May 27, 1810
Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky, USA
1835
July 3, 1835
1845
1845
Frankfort, Kentucky - Franklin County
1847
August 28, 1847
Garrard County / Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky
1849
July 18, 1849
Garrard co., Ky.
1889
May 12, 1889
Age 78
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky, USA
May 12, 1889
Age 78
Frankfort Cemetery (Plot: Sec A Lot 16 Grave 1), Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky USA