McKIM, Robert, philanthropist, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 24 May, 1816" died in Madison, Indiana, 9 May, 1887. After completing his apprenticeship as a stone-mason he emigrated to the United States, worked for a time at his trade in Philadelphia, and removed to Madison, Indiana, in 1837. There he continued to ply his vocation until 1855, when he established himself in the coal business. Fortunate investments in real estate enabled him to become interested in manufacturing enterprises, and he soon acquired wealth. Mr. McKim had always been a lover of astronomical studies, and when he grew rich he purchased for his own use one of the best telescopes in the United States, and mounted it in an observatory that he built adjoining his residence. He also presented to the observatory of De Pauw university a complete astronomical outfit at a cost of over $10,000, and public charities and institutions of learning also benefited by his bequests.