Muse, Robert W. P. (1821-1896)

Newton Kansan obituary: 1896 Nov 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1821 Apr 22

text of obituary:

DEATH OF JUDGE MUSE.

A Pioneer of Newton Passes Away After an Eventful Life.

The community was greatly shocked Saturday evening to learn that Judge R. W. P. Muse had passed away at his home on East Fifth street at 5 o'clock after a short illness. The Judge was not feeling well prior to the election, but went to the polls and voted, and insisted almost to the last that he was not a very sick man and that he would be around in a short time. Blood poisoning was the immediate cause of his death.

The funeral was held from the family home Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Masonic fraternity of the city having charge of the services. He was a member of Magnolia lodge A. F. & A. M., Newton commandery No. 9. Arkansas valley chapter No. 27 R. A. M. and Newton lodge No. 100, I. O. O F. The pallbearers were J. A. Randal, T. B. Atchison, John Reese, S. Lehman, J. C. Johnson and D. W. Wilcox. In accordance with request of the mayor, all business houses were closed during the funeral. The attendance at the funeral was very large, showing in a degree the universal feeling of regret at the demise of this old and respected citizen of Newton.

Judge Robert W. P. Muse was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, April 22, 1821. At the age of fourteen he was sent by his parents to White's academy at Savannah, Ga. He also attended Beard's High school at St. Mary's. Moving with his parents to Zanesville, O., he completed his education at Howe's academy, immediately taking up the study of law. He completed his legal education at McConnellsville, O., and was admitted to the bar at Newark, O., in 1845. He had practiced but two years at McConnellsville when he was elected prosecuting attorney for Morgan county, being reelected in 1850.

He removed to Zanesville in 1852 and went into the newspaper business,getting out a spicy daily called the "Aurora," for four years.