Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 35: Professor David Duncan, 1900

Chapter 35: Professor David Duncan

This eminent educator was born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, in 1790,- and was graduated from Glasgow University at eighteen years of age, after which he spent four years in the English navy. He was at St. Petersburg at the time Napoleon burned Moscow. He came to America in 181 7 and landed in Norfolk, Va. , and from that time until his death he devoted his attention to educational work. From 181 7 to 1835, he was the principal of the Norfolk Academy, and from the latter date until 1854 he was professor of ancient languages in the Randolph-Macon College, and from 1854 to 1881, in which year he died, he was professor of ancient languages in the Wofford College at Spartanburg, being among the first of the faculty of that institution.

He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Ann Shirley, who only lived one year after her inarriage, leaving no children. His second marriage was to ]\Iiss Alice A. Peimont. She was reared in Norfolk, and was the daughter of Thomas and Alice (Robinson) Peimont. The latter was a niece of speaker John Robinson of the Virginia house of burgesses, of which Patrick Henry was a member, and it was during this time that he made his celebrated speech, in which among other things he said : " Tarquin and Caesar had each his Brutus . Charles I. his Cromwell, and George HI. - " and when the speaker and terrified loyalists shouted " Treason ! Treason!'' finished the sentence - " and George HI, may profit by their example. If that be treason, make the

By the marriage between Professor David Dnncan and Alice A. Peimont seven children were born, viz. : Mary Elizabeth, who married Lucien H. Eomax ; William Wallace, a sketch of whom we present in this volume ; James Armstrong, Alice Amanda ; David Robinson, who will receive further notice ; Thomas C. and D'^^rcy Paul. Onl}- three of the above are living, viz. : David R., William W., and D'Arcy P.

James Armstrong Duncan became a doctor of divinity, and was one of the most distinguished and eloquent Methodist divines in the country. At the time of his death he was president of Randolph-Macon College, Va. Thomas Carey Duncan was killed in battle, in the seven days fight in front of Richmond, a brave and gallant soldier, being a member of Co. K., Palmetto Sharpshooters. D'Arcy P. Duncan is a prominent citizen in the State, being at present clerk of the railroad commissioners, and resides at Sumter, S. C.

Bishop William Wallace Duncan

This distinguished divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, now a resident of the city of Spartanburg, S. C, is the son of Professor David Duncan, a sketch of whom we present herein. He was born at Randolph-Macon College, Mecklenburg county, Va., December 20th, 1839, his father being at the time a professor in said college, but resigning the same in 1854 to accept the chair of Greek and Latin in the Wofford College at Spartanburg, The son, the subject of this sketch, came with him. He entered the freshman class the year of his father's removal, graduating four years afterwards.

State where he entered the ministry. He was admitted to the Virginia Conference in 1859. '' He served as chaplain in the army dnring the war, both in Virginia and in South Carolina ; and in the ten years that followed he did a Methodist preacher's work in the pulpit and on the pastorate, on circuits and stations ranging from the peaks of O'Her on the Blue Ridge to the surfbeaten shores of the Chesapeake.'" Among the stations in Virginia which lie served during this period were Leesville, Danville, Norfolk and Petersburg, While stationed at the last mentioned place he was called to the professorship) of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Wofford College, which position he accepted and served with conspicuous success until he was elected bishop by the General Conference in 1886. In connection with the

Wofford professorship he served as the representative of the college, soliciting contributions and delivering masterly educational addresses, which were well received everywhere, and which are still bearing fruit and will for generations to come.

The selection of Bishop Duncan by the Conference gave great satisfaction, and he has now for about fourteen years, with great faithfulness and fidelity, served his church and the Master's cause, visiting every part of the continent over which the jurisdiction of his church extends, and is warmly welcomed everywhere.

In the chair he is the master of assemblies, and wields the oravel p-racefullv but firmlv. He is a man of business and the work of the Conference runs along smoothly and with dispatch under his efficient guidance.

In 1 86 1 Bishop Duncan was married to Miss Medora, daughter of Hon. Ben Rice of Union, S. C, and they are the happy parents of three children : Colonel T. C. Duncan of Union, Mrs. Warren Du Pre, and Mrs. A. G. Rembert of Spartanburg.

In many respects Bishop Duncan is a remarkable man: " As a preacher he is practical and powerful. He despises the tricks of oratory, but ever has the eloquence of thought. He strives to correct the evil in the hearts and lives of his hearers rather than please them with rhetorical productions. . . . He is a man of deep convictions, and has the courage necessary to fearlessly express them." He " makes no loud professions of spiritual attainments, but illustrates by a life of continual and arduous labors the highest type of Christian consecration." His labors are not only such as to meet the praises of men, but will receive the approbation of the Divine Master, whom he faithfully serves.

Jesse Cleveland

The Clevelands, it is said, were an ancient family deriving their name from a tract of country in North Riding of Yorkshire, England, still called Cleveland. In history there appear the names of two Alexander Clevelands. The junior of this name was the father of John Cleveland of Prince William county, Va., who was the father of several sons, among whom we would mention the names of Benjamin, John and Robert. The first mentioned, Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, lives in history as one of the heroes of King Mountain, a sketch of whom we have presented in another volume.*

The third mentioned, Robert Cleveland, was a captain in his brother's regiment at the battle of King's Mountain. Among his children he had two sons, viz. : Jeremiah and Jesse. The former resided in Greenville, S. C, and left behind him numerous descendants. The latter, Jesse Cleveland, the subject of this sketch, emigrated from Wilkes county, N. C, in 1810, and settled in Spartanburg. In the beginning and growth of said town no one was more identified with its business interests than Jesse Cleveland. He began and continued for many years the business of merchandizing, and was in truth the merchant of the town. Purchasing his goods in Charlestf^n, Baltimore, Augusta and other places, and bringing them overland in wagons to Spartanburg, he had an extensive trade and business, and was noted not only for his superior business judgment, but fair and honorable dealing.

He married Mary Blassingame, and had children as follows: Mrs. Emily Choice, John B. Cleveland, Sr. , Wm. B, Cleveland, Mrs. Elizabeth Bivings, Dr. Robert E. Cleveland, and Mrs. IVIary H. Cleveland, the last named the only one surviving who resides at Greenville, S. C. ' read medicine and was graduated from the Charleston Medical College in 1843. Immediately he began practice in his native county, which was extensive, reaching into North Carolina, and his work was remunerative. "To his knowledge as a physician he brought the aid of common sense ; always conservative in his views, he was never carried away by any new theories in his profession. His cardinal belief was in nature, and to assist her was his chief object. . . . His treatment was especially successful in typhoid cases." As a surgeon he was conservative in the use of the knife.

Dr. Cleveland retired from the practice of medicine in 1870. After that time he gave his attention to extensive private business. He took great interest in the growth and prosperity of his native town and county.

He was particularly interested in railroad development, and forwarded in every way the building and success of the Spartanburg and Asheville and Air Line roads.

Dr. Cleveland, though not a graduate of any literary institution, his education having been confined to the high schools then common in the State, was a man of extensive reading and information, was social in his nature, hospitable in his home, and his store of anecdotes and conversational qualities caused his society to be much sought after.

cessfiil manufacturers of cotton in Spartanburg district. By this marriage two children survive, Dr. Jesse F. and Hon. John B. Cleveland, well known and popular citizens in Spartanburg county.

Rev. John D. Mccollough

The first Episcopal clergyman resident in Spartanburg county was Rev, John D. McCollough. Air. McCollough was from Society Hill, on the Pee Dee, a

Having determined to enter the sacred ministry, he sold his property and removed to Columbia in 1847. He was elected principal of the Glenn 's Spring Academy and removed to that place in J a n u a r \- , 1848. Among his pupils of that year who still survive are William Means, Dr. J. N. Moore and Dr. Wm. F. Smith. There were no Episcopalians at Glenn's Spring and no Sunday services. There were, however, several members of the Church at Spartanburg, and to furnish these with the worship of their Church and to know the Lord's Day, Mr. McCollough was made a deacon with license to preach, and divided the Sundays between these two points.

" There were then two clergymen of the Episcopal Church in the upper part of South Carolina-, at Pendleton and Greenville, where congregations were organized by Episcopalians from the 'Low Country.' " A few services had been held in Spartanburg district by clergymen traveling in the summer. These were by the "Rev. C. C. Pinckey, who reports that in 1840 he spent a Sunday at Glenn's Spring and one at Limestone Springs, preaching on both occasions to very respectable congregations."

In 1 84 1 Rev. R. H. Shindler, a deacon, was sent for the summer "to Limestone Springs, Glenn's Spring and Spartanburg Court-house." He reports "divine services twenty times at the places designated." . " Baptized two whites and three colored children. There is but one family in full communion with the church."

This family was that of Major L. H. Kennedy, residing near Cedar Spring. One of the children baptized was ]\lary Hamilton Legg, who was also the first married in the church of the Advent, and the first buried from its portals. The others are unknown. In 1843 Rev. C. P. Elliot was in Spartanburg district four months. He reports fifteen Sundays. . . . "A single family who reside in the vicinity in Spartanburg" were the only Episcopalians in the district. This was the family of Major Kennedy. Mr. Elliot organized a congregation and reports the following names of vestrymen: Colonel H. H. Thomson, Charles Wear, G. W. H. Legg, L. H. Kennedy, Dr. L. C.Kennedy, A. S. Camp and W. L. Rowland. An application was made the next year to be received into the union with the Church in South Carolina, but was rejected on account of incompleteness and insufficiency of the organization.

In 1844 Rev. Mr. Phillips was in Spartanburg district. He reports : "I held service and preached in the Methodist house of wo;'ship of the village ... on five Sundays. On one administered the Lord's Supper to three persons of our own and about twenty of the Methodist communion. An individual has offered to give us a lot for the church. . . . The congregation consists . . . nominally of no more than six families and about the same number of communicants." He preached also at Glenn's Spring, Cedar Spring and Limestone Springs.

In 1845 Rev. R. D. Shindler reports "services at Spartanburg Court-house, and near there five." In 1847 Rev. M. H. Lance says : "I officiated twice at Spartanburg on Sunday to a large and respectful congregation in the Presbyterian church, kindly tendered, and administered the Lord's Supper to a respectable number of devout communicants. , . . On the following day I baptized two children of our little flock." In the same year, 1847, Rev. L. C. Johnson says: "At the Court-house there are eleven communicants." These were the Kennedys, Irwins, J. M. Elford, Esq., and Major James E. Henry. Mr. Elford alone survives, a sketch of whom we present in another part of this work.

"In this missionary district, embracing eleven counties, there were in 1848 three well-organized congregations, viz. : at Pendleton, Greenville and Abbeville, composed chiefly of colonists from the lower part of the State. Four more congregations organized were what we now call missions, and very feeble ones at that, viz. : at Landsford, Chester county, Laurens, Newberry and Spartanburg.

"In 1848 the aggregate number of white communicants reported was 115 ; probably 25 were omitted, say 140. In 1899 there are 11 clergy, 20 church buildings

" We are still a feeble folk, but the ratio of increase is not discouraging. In the whole United States during this period it has been fourfold ; in this district, fivefold. Increase of communicants in the United States fivefold.'^

Mr. McCollough, made a deacon in 1848, divided the Sundays between Spartanburg, and Glenn's Spring. His first sermon "was in Spartanburg, July 2d, 1848, in what was then known as the Female Academy, now the residence of Captain Petty. This and the old brick building, near the old Spartanburg and Union depot, then the Male Academy, furnished places of worship for us until the 13th of September, 1851. On that day the first service was held in the little chapel, afterwards removed to Wellford. On the next day, Sunday the 14th, Bishop Gadsden made his first visit, and confirmed fourteen persons. This chapel continued to be our place of worship, until 1854, when we removed to the chapel of ''St. John's School,' and occupied it until 1857, when I removed to Winnsboro." Meantime a lot for the church, where it now stands, had been set off by Major J. E. Henry, and the corner-stone of church was laid in 1849. But the contractor for the brick church having left the State after only laying the foundation, and Major Henry dying before the deed was executed, matters were left in statu quo and the congregation gathered elsewhere. " Mr. McCollough removed to Spartanburg in 1851, and opened a school in a small wooden building on the main street. "The school was well attended, and he procured the assistance of J. H. (afterwards Judge) Hudson, while the building of St. John's School was being erected. This was occupied in 1852, and was so filled with boys as to induce the enlargement of the building on a scale which was never entirely completed.

"In 1848 there were eleven communicants in Spartanburg, but when I was ordained, July 28th, 1850, they had been reduced by death and removal to five. One of these. Major J. M. Elford, referred to. From 1848 to 1857, there had been baptized 37 - 11 adults and 26 children ; confirmed 22; married 9 ; buried 6. . . . During these years I visited Laurens, Newberry, Yorkville, Anderson, and Pendleton while it was vacant. . . . In 1 85 1 regular services were held at Limestone Springs. . . . In 1855 regular services were held at Union, and the corner-stone of the beautiful church there was laid May ist of that year. There were two communicants in the district when I first visited it."

The corner-stone of the Episcopal church in Spartanburg was laid by Bishop C. E. Gadsden July 23d, 1850, and an address delivered by A. H. Cornish. Work on the building was suspended owing to complications mentioned until about i860. It was finished under difficulties during ''the war," and was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God.

The present number of communicants in said church, in round numbers, has been reported (January, 1900) to the writer as one hundred and fifty. It may be truly said that its present flourishing condition is due largely to the indefatigable work, in the Lord's vineyard in the early years of its existence, of Rev. John D. McCollough, whose name not only deserved to be preserved and perpetuated in the pages of the history of his church, but also in the annals of the history of Spartanburg as an educator and an humble minister of the gospel.

Rev. Albert Allison James

struction of Rev. P. E. Bishop, and while yet a pupil united with the Presbyterian Church under the ministry of Rev. Ferdinand Jacobs in 1843. " ^^ entered the Junior Class of Davidson College in 1846 and graduated two years later. . . . Leaving college he entered the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C, in 1848, and graduated from that institution in 1851. He was licensed by the Bethel Presbytery the same year. His first charge was Fair Forest church in connection with the Spartanburg church, now in P^noree Presbytery, and he was installed pastor of Fair Forest in November, I 85 I , but continued to supply the Spartanburg church for three and a half years. Giving up the Spartanburg church, he supplied Salem church in Union district in connection with his Fair Forest pastorate for five years." Later he organized the Grindal Shoals church, which he supplied in connection with Fair Forest pastorate.

" When the war came on Mr. James was elected chaplain of the 1 8th South Carolina Volunteers, and served with this regiment throughout the war. When the war closed he returned to the same section of country from which he had gone, and taking up his work at Fair Forest he began to serve other contiguous churches. He was pastor of Alt. Calvary for sixteen years. Daring the period since the war he organized the Glenn's Spring, Pacolet, Jonesville, Trough Shoals and Enoree churches,

Mr. James commands the love and esteem of the people of all churches. He is now in the forty-ninth year of his pastorate and in the seventy-sixth year of his age, but is still strong and active and " carries on a wonderful work of ministering to six churches widely separated from each other. . . . He was for twenty years a director of Davidson College, and for eleven years a director of Columbia Seminary. He has been a member of four General Assemblies," and he was elected moderator of the meeting of the Synod of South Carolina which met at Lancaster, S. C, in 1888.

In 1853 ^^^- James married Miss Sarah M., daughter of T. B, Collins, one of the first elders of Spartanburg church, which "union still exists, and is a happy one. Mrs. James is still spared to bless and help the labors of her husband."

Mr. James has done a great work in the ministry. Under the light of his preaching many souls have been converted and many afflicted hearts comforted. He has visited many sick-beds and ministered comfort and consolation in the dying hours. He has performed the marriage ceremony to about two hundred and thirty couples, and, as already stated, is universally popular with the entire people, and it is to be hoped that there are many bright years before him in the discharge of the great work in the Master's cause yet unfinished.

Colonel Thomas Stobo Farrow

Colonel T. Stobo Farrow was born in Laurens, S. C, in 1832, was educated at the South Carolina College, and settled in Spartanburg, and commenced the study of law in 1853, and soon after became editor and proprietor of the Spartanburg Express^ which paper he edited for three or four years. He was three times elected by the Legislature of South Carolina to the office of Commissioner in Equity for Spartanburg district, and served as such three full terms.

At the outbreak of the civil war between the States he enlisted for the service in the Spartan Rifles and was elected a second lieutenant in the same, which office he resigned to accept the position of major on the staff of General A. C. Garlington in the South Carolina Army. When the State troops were transferred to the Confederate army he raised a company (Forest Rifles) and entered service, holding successively the positions of captain, major and lieutenant-colonel of the 13th Regt., S. C. V., and was wounded in the Second Manassas battle. Soon after the war he removed to Atlanta, Ga. , where he practiced law for four years, but returned to his native State, and was one of the proprietors and editor of the Spartanburg Herald^ established in 1875. This he conducted for eight years, which did much to redeem the misrule and corruption of a dominant political party at the time.

He was a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee that called the straight-out convention that nominated Wade Hampton in 1876, and served as a member of same committee during these exciting campaigns.

in 1877, he was elected clerk of the Senate to fill the unexpired term of Josephus Woodruff, and was reelected in 1882 for the same position for four successive terms, which office he resigned in 1885 to accept the position of Chief of Division in the office of Auditor for the Postoffice Department in Washington during Cleveland's first administration, which office he resigned after four years' service.

In 1893, soon after Cleveland's second inauguration he was appointed Auditor for the War Department, which office he resigned after four years' service, returning to his home in Gaff nay, S. C, to resume the practice of law.

Colonel Farrow has always taken interest in the development of railroad enterprises. The writer served with him as a member of the Cowpens Centennial Committee, which supervised the erection of the monument of Daniel Morgan on the public square at Spartanburg, S. C.,'in 1881. He is a prominent nember of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1854 Colonel Farrow married Miss Laura A., daughter of Hon. James Edward Henry of Spartanburg, who died in 1858, leaving no children. Afterwards, in 1 86 1, he married Miss Jeannie Bedon of Walter boro^ S. C, who died in 1892, leaving four children : Jennie B., Julia D., Patillo, Hyder B., all of whom are living except Hyder B. Farrow, who died in 1898 at twenty-one years of age, just as he was entering upon a prosperous business career.

Recently (in 1900) Colonel Farrow was united in marriage with Mrs. E. A. Ellerbee of Gaffney, S. C, formerly Miss Ellenor Adalae LaCostae of Cheraw, S. C. He is still in the full vigor of health, and it is hoped that there are yet many years of happiness and usefulness before him.

Joseph Marsh Elford

was born in the city of Charleston, S. C, on the 21st day of January, 1822. He was the seventh son of James Maud Elford, the inventor and publisher of the Marine Signal Telegraph in nautical and marine education.

Joseph was left an orphan at eight years of age, and was taken charge of by elder brothers and placed in the boarding-school of E. S. Courteney of Charleston, where he remained until about ten years of age, and was then carried away and placed in the care of Spencer Bobo of Cross Keys, Union county, and was by him sent to an old field school and remained there one year, and was thence removed to the wilds of the far West, in Panola county. Miss., a county then inhabited mostly with In- dians, and there remained assisting on the farm and in farm work for about six years, when, heaUh failing and becoming dissatisfied, he returned to Greenville, S. C, and entered as a clerk in the mercantile firm of McBee & Irwin ; from thence he removed to Spartanburg in 1847, and assisted as copartner in the firm of McBee & Bomar, where he remained until 1848, when he married the stepdaughter of one of the firm. Miss Elizabeth Blassingame, daughter of John and Sarah Blassingame, and then purchased all of the interests of the concern and continued the same for four years or more, when he was made a magistrate and trial justice by the appointment of the governor, and served as such officer for over forty years.

In 1854 he entered the oflfice of Dean & Trimmier, attorneys, as their assistant in office work, pursuing the study of law until 1855, when he was admitted to practice in the law and equity courts. He practiced his profession for nearly thirty years, when he retired and entered into the business of real estate and general insurance, in which he is yet employed, and, although now seventy-nine years of age, is daily in his office from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., and is employed in clerical and other duties.

Mr. Elford claims no real title to the major only from serving as county or home commissary during the period of the civil war between the States. Thrice he attempted to become a volunteer soldier and to join some company in the army, but the strong petitions sent into headquarters from the widows and wives of soldiers, as well as home-sta3ang citizens, to attend on them and assist in their home comforts and living, prevented and kept him at home as their assistant, and he now has letters and papers innumerable stored away in old trunks and boxes

Major Elford never had any aspiration for any public office. Repeatedly in his younger days was he announced by his friends as a candidate for the Legislature, but always entered up with thanks his disinclination to serve as such in the next paper issued. In his long line of citizenship he has served in the public capacity as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, in which position he was placed by choice of the Democratic county convention, and not at his desire or solicitation, and yet in all city and home affairs he has taken an active interest, and has served as city clerk and treasurer for upwards of forty years.

After the close of the civil war he became the trusted agent for all the old pensioners in the county, receiving only a small per cent, of their pensions for his services. He proved himself to be their faithful friend and counselor, performing his duty to their entire satisfaction. From the time that he accepted this agency all of them departed before the expiration of ten years. Some of them left their wives to his care, and he drew and arrano-- ed the'obtainment of their pensions.

The following soldiers of the war of 181 2 in Spartanburg county in obtaining their pensions from the government were represented by Mr. Elford, viz. : James C. Ballenger, first drawing March, 1872, and continued to death. Arthur Crocker, first drawing September 4th, 1871 ; died December, 1873. Lewis Camp, first drawing March 27th, 1872 ; afterwards he left the State and died in Georgia. Jesse Casey, near Hobby's, first drawing December, 1872 ; died December ist, 1876. Daniel Epps, near Walnut Grove, first drawing May ist, 1872 ; died August, 1872. John Fielder, formerly in Spartanburg county, first drawing October 7th, 1872 ; died in

Laurens county. James N. Gaston, near Reidville, first drawing December, 1871 ; died 1876. W. W. Harris, Spartanburg City, first drawing December, 1871 ; died May, 1875. Wm, Johnson, near Holly Springs, first drawing June, 1871 ; died 1873. James K. Means, near Glenn's Spring, first drawing July,. 1873; '^^^^^ ^^75- Hezekiah Pollard,* near Mount Zion, first drawing December, 187 1 ; died at home. Wm. Reynolds, near Cashville, first drawing March, 1872; died 1876. Benjamin Vinson, near White Plains, first drawing September 4th, 1871 ; died, 1876. Judson Wilson, near Reidville, first drawing December 2 ist, 1871 ; died 1876. Robert West, near Glenn's Spring, first drawing March 28th, 1872; died March 25th, 1873. Isham Wilson, near Reidville, first drawing December 22d, 1871; died September 27th, 1876. John Vehorn, near Campobello, first drawing May 17th, 1872; died January 26th, 1876. John Wingo, near Mount Zion, first drawing December 4th, i87i;died at home. Coleman Wingo, near Mount Zion, first drawing April 9th, 1872 ; died at home. John Wilkins, near White Plains; first drawing October, 1871 ; died August, 1872. Isaac Young, near Poor's Ford, first drawing April, 1872 ; died November 15th, -1873.

Major Elford is now ripening into a good old age of seventy-nine years, but, blessed with health and abundant will-power, is active and young, to all outward appearances, as many a one of only three score and ten. But of all his rejoicings, he seems to rejoice more over the fact that, for fift}' years or more, he has been elected annually without an intermission as one of the vestry officers of his church.

* Hezekiah Pollard during the Civil War lost an only son, Willis, father of Boyce Pollard, who, on the coast of South Carolina, gave up his life in defense of his country.

the Odd Fellows and Free Masons, and in his younger years was a lieutenant in Spartanburg \'olunteer Company, and, as such, took command of his company in the burial services of James Seay, who, as a soldier of the Revolution, was buried in the honors of war.

Dr. William Thomas Russell

In our humble efforts to preserve the memories of tlie dead none are more worthy of special notice in this volume than Dr. Wm. T. Russell, who was born in the State of Delaware, June 17th, 1827, and died at his home in the city of Spartanburg, F"ebruary 4th, 1899, ^^^ the seventy-second year of his age.

farm at the village school, until the age of fifteen, when he was sent to a boarding-school or academy at Newark, Del., where he remained two years, and then entered Delaware College, in the same city, graduating in 1847. It was while a student at this college that he made a public profession of religion.

Entering the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia as a medical student, he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1850. The same year he began the practice of his profession at Canandaigua, N. Y., where he remained three years.

He came to Spartanburg in 1854 and commenced the practice of medicine in connection with dentistry, and as a professional and finished gentleman he soon gained a popular reputation among the people, which he maintained to an eminent degree throughout the remaining years of his life. After coming to Spartanburg he married Miss Mary E. Stevens, a sister of Brigadier-General Clement H. Stevens, also of Bishop P. F. Stevens, who was known as the gallant commander of the Holcombe Legion in the war between the States. She, with two sons and four daughters, survives him.

Dr. Russell entered the Confederate service and was made surgeon of the Holcombe Legion, and served faithfully until the end of the war. By his unremitting kindness and attention to the sick, wounded and dying his comrades manifested their appreciation of the same by presenting him with a fine horse, which was done in camp with appropriate ceremony.

Dr. Russell was positive in his convictions and aggressive in his undertakings. When he believed he was right it was difficult to convince him to the contrary. He was honest and progressive in his ideas, not only in medicine but in all matters of public interest. Only a short time prior to his death he advocated to the writer the idea of cleaning out all the streams in the county at the expense of the convict system, which he

As a physician and an humble professor of the Christian religion, he often ministered to troubled minds as well as diseased bodies, and his words of comfort and consolation carried solace to many a stricken home. This fact was peculiarly manifested by the large concourse who attended the funeral ceremonies, many of whom had received benefits and kindness from him, and who wished to emphasize their regard for him by paying this last honor to his memory. He was buried with masonic honors at Oak wood Cemetery, Spartanburg, S. C.

was born in Union county, S. C, May 6th, 1809, on Tyger River and near the village of Cross Keys in the same county. He was of Welsh descent, his father emigrating from Wales in the eighteenth century. His mother was a Miss Jackson, granddaughter of Ralph Jackson, Esq., who w^as elected by the State Legislature a justice of the quorum in Union district, S. C, only a few years after the close of the Revolution. It is said that she was a relative of General Stoneivall Jackson, with whom Mr. Walker during the civil war became quite familiar. During his service as hospital nurse he he visited the general quite frequently, from whom he learned his mother's kinship to the illustrious general.

When about eighteen years of age the parents of Mr. Walker, who were in straitened circumstances, migrated to Spartanburg district and settled in the neighborhood of Cedar Spring. The scholastic education of the son, the subject of this sketch, was of an elementary kind. He made good use of the advantages afforded him and in course of time " gratified a larg^e ambition which he had worthily imbibed to advance the psalmody of his church.

He joined the Baptist Church at a very early age, and amid the ebullitions of his early Christian piety and religious fervor he conceived the idea ' Praise the Lord ' on 'stringed instruments,' the 'psaltery and harp,' as well as with the human voice, were not only requisites, but grand concomitants of religious worship.

terniined, at once he resorted to pen and paper. From the deep minstrels of his own bosom he gathered and arranged into meter and melody a wonderful book suitably adapted to the praise and glory of God."

He soon published a musical work entitled " The Southern Harmony." This popular book comprised the shaped notes or that peculiar style of musical notation which contradistinguishes the same from the more current literature of the present age.

Notwithstanding some depreciation by the press he adhered to his original system, and his reputation for attainments in his science soon spread all through the South and Southwest. "Everywhere his popularity as a music teacher went and his work received a most popular indorsement."

Says a w'riter in The Musical Million : '' Scarcely a hamlet, scarcely a church in the wooded coverts of those several sections, have not been made to reverberate the praises of God in accordance with the metrical spirit of that system he originated. ' The Southern Harmony ' and his name, the name of the distinguished author, are as familiar as household duties in the habitations of the South."

Mr. Walker, not content with his first publication, determined to prepare and publish a more elaborate and thoroughly revised musical work, which he did under the title of the "Christian Harmony.'"

This book "has met with a like popular currency, and the two conjointly have given him -a most enviable reputation as author, vocalist and teacher. Everywhere within the limitations of the South and West he organized 'singing schools,' as they were popularly denominated, and in each prepared, qualified and commissioned ill persona many of the brightest of his pupils as instructors in the department of music."

He was author and copublisher with the Miller Publishing House of Philadelphia, Pa., in publishing his musical works, and realized a large sum from the sale of his books throughout the country.

it during his sojourn here on earth. His faith in his great Redeemer was of an intensely strong and abiding nature, and no misfortunes in life, of which he had many, ever caused him to despair or falter in the course he had chosen to guide him through the vicissitudes of life. He possessed in an eminent degree a happy disposition, an elastic feeling that all would be well in the end, and would never suffer his buoyancy of mind and heart to yield to any gloomy foreboding whatever might befall him. He quoted his great Psalmist : " That the righteous would never be forsaken nor his seed begging bread.'' He was possessed of a mind of a literary turn, and had a large and valuable library, and having been engaged for some years in the introduction and sale of books in the town of Spartanburg, he became possessed of many rare and valuable books of general interest.

He was a man of quite liberal views, and was ever ready with his means and influence to advance the cause of any enterprise which seemed to be a public benefit.

At the age of about twenty-four years Mr. Walker married Miss Am}- Golightly and settled near Spartanburg. ' ' His marriage was a happy one, their tastes being congenial and their dispositions naturally equable and uniform."

By this marriage ten children were born, five sons and five daughters, nine of whom survived him. Four sons are still living, Joseph D. Walker living in Arkansas, Absalom and Miles T. Walker residing in Texas, the latter being a Baptist minister. Franklin B. Walker, the youngest son, is a resident of Elberton, Ga. The daughters are Mrs. J. B. Davis, of Greenville, S. C. ; Mrs. Emma Logan, of Forest City, N. C, and Mrs. Lou Lynch and Mrs. Flora Justice, of Rutherfordton, N. C. Miss Mary Walker, his third daughter, died in Spartanburg some years after the death of her father, which took place September 24th, 1875, She was laid to rest beside her father in Magnolia Cemetery, Spartanburg, S. C. His wife died in 1897 or '98 at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Justice, in Rutherfordton, N. C. It is said that Mr. Walker died, as it were, " with melodies on his tongue for the goodness and tender mercies of God."*

Dr. John Christian Oeland

The father, John Oeland, was born November 6th, 1771, "in Denmark, Jutland State, Town Baebu. He emigrated to Charleston, S. C, date unknown, and engaged in the mercantile business successfully," and subsequently removed to his home near Glenn's Spring, February 8th, 1843. His first wife was Ann, third daughter of Mr. J. Hodge, married May loth, 1798. No children. The second marriage was to Miss Faber, already mentioned, June 5th, 1826. By this marriage were born two sons and a daughter.

One of the sons was Professor Peter J. Oeland, a graduate of South Carolina College, who for many years was a successful school-teacher in Spartanburg county. The daughter. Miss Ann, became the wife of Dr. J, J. Vernon, a sketch of whom appears at another place in this volume. The other son is the subject of this sketch.

Dr. J. C. Oeland, living near Glenn's Spring, was instructed by Mr. Isham and Mr. Clough Beard, as well as at the Academy at Spartanburg, and prepared for the

* That part of the foregoing sketch of Mr. Walker, A.S.H., under quotation marks is extracted from a beautiful tribute to his memory by Judge T. O. P. Vernon, which was published in the " Musical Million," vSinging Glen, Virginia, January, 1876.

South Carolina College, which he entered in 1846 and graduated in 1849. ^^ ^^5° ^^ began the study of medicine with Dr. J. J. Vernon as his preceptor, and in the fall of the same year entered the South Carolina Medical College at Charleston, where in two years he took the degree of M.D. He purchased a plantation on the waters of the North Tyger about two miles northeast of Wellford. Here he engaged in a successful practice extending for many miles around him. After practicing several years, h o wever, h i s health failed ; and being possessed of ample means he gradually gave up professional duties.

Dr. Oeland, being naturally endowed with the gift of ingenuity, devoted much of his time to the bent of his inclination - the study of chemistry, metallurgy and mechanical science. During his college days his interest in these studies gave him the appointment of "assistant" to the professor of these branches, and afforded him opportunities for practice and manipulation, of which he was quick to avail himself. His room was a fairly equipped laboratory, where he experimented more or less to the gratification of his fellow-students. Dr. Oeland, after entering on his professional work, availed himself of the appliances of the day and prosecuted the investigation and analysis of substances and waters brought to his notice.

moved to know something of dentures manufactured from the gold base, and often made his way to the office of Dr. J. B. Patrick, where he had object-lessons and free instruction. He made several successful sets of teeth, refining and rolling the gold in his laboratory.

The writer in the earlier years of his life lived only about three miles from Dr. Oeland and saw much of him, and was impressed with his advanced and progressive ideas in everything pertaining to his profession, farm, garden and orchard. He was an up-to-date man in all that pertained to a beautiful and well improved country home. He sought the most improved varieties of fruits, grapes and melons. He was the first man in his neighborhood to introduce Peruvian guano in the cultivation of wheat. His apiary, to the uninitiated, was not only a matter of wonder and curiosity, but to his earnest and zealous mind it became a noble study, and as such he pursued it, bringing to the service the most improved hives and modern appliances in the culture.

Dr. John C. Oeland whilst in college had an attack of measles followed by pneumonia, and subsequently phthisis pulmonalis. He died August 7th, 1862, in the thirtythird year of his age. He was a Christian gentleman, a kind neighbor, a true friend, and a good physician.

October 23d, i85i,Dr. Oeland married Miss Margaret Snoddy, who still survives him. They had five children, viz. : Dr. John C. Oeland, well-known citizen and dentist in Spartanburg, standing at the head of his profession ; James Snoddy Oeland, died in infancy ; Isaac Raymond Oeland, Esq., attorney at law. New York City; Mrs. Mary Ellen Hammond, of Wellford, S. C. ; and Miss Lizzie Oeland, who resides with her mother in Spartanburg.

Dr. William Poole Compton

was born in the year 1818 near Glenn's, Spring, S. C, on a plantation snbseqnently owned by Joseph Montgomery, deceased. From this place his father with his family moved to Giles connty, Tenn., in 1821, where William P. grew up to manhood, receiving the best education that the common schools of that State at the time afforded. Returning to his native district, Spartanburg, he, in of medicine in the office of Dr. J. J. Vernon at Spartanburg, and graduated in the South Carolina Medical College at Charleston in the sj^ring of 1842. He settled in the practice at New Prospect, S. C, laboring on the North and South Pacolets.

In 1849 ^^^ went to the gold regions of California in company with Alexander Copeland, J. Madison Jackson, Watson Robbs, William Dodd and Calvin Foster. They traveled by an overland route, and were eleven months on the road before they reached the gold region. They remained there for about three years and were successful in their business operations, and most of the party returned home, together with Dr. Compton, richly rewarded for their labors.

After his return from California Dr. Compton married Miss Louisa Jackson, of South Pacolet, an accomplished lady, who died in 1871 or '72 leaving four sons and a daughter, all of whom are now dead.

At the commencement of the war between the States Dr. Compton organized a company composed of the young men on the Pacolets, of which he was made captain, and joined the 13th Regiment, S. C. V. After two years in the field he returned home on account of failing health, where his services were in constant demand as a physician.

On account of his personal worth and standing as a citizen he was twice elected to the Legislature of South Carolina, first in 1872 and again in 1876. He was a member of the famous " Wallace House," and was a member of the House of Representatives at the time of his death, which occurred on the 30th day of May, 1878.

During the year 1876 Dr. Compton married a second time to Miss Lizzie C. Landrum, a most estimable lady and second living daughter of Rev. J. G. Landrum, by which marriage a son (J. G. Landrum Compton) and a daughter were born.

Dr. Compton was an eminent physician and a man of sterling and solid worth, of a superior and well-balanced mind. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church at New Prospect, and also a member of the Masonic lodge at the same place, having served in the chair as Worshipful Master.

His death was deeply deplored, having a large field of practice at the time. For more than a quarter of a century he had served many households faithfully, and some in their most trying hours of affliction.

Dr. Thomas John Compton

eldest son of Dr. W. P. and Louisa Compton, was born at his father's old homestead on South Pacolet, Spartanburg county, S. C, November 23d, 1857, and died at the same place, September 30th, 1890, being thirty-three years of age.

He received his literary education mainly at New Prospect Academy under Professor John G. Clinkscales, and at Gowensville Seminary under Rev. T. J. Earle. After this he went West and spent several years, but learning of his father's death he returned home, and soon after began the study of medicine. He attended a course of five months in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and two courses for the same length of time at the Medical College at New Orleans, and graduated there in the spring of 1883.

He located for practice at Pacolet Mills (Trough Shoals) and remained there for one or two years, and later for a few months at Landrum, S. C. But pulmonary disease had taken a deep root on his system, and he was compelled to give up practice. After a lingering illness for a few months he passed away.

Having received a finished medical education, he had already, at the time of his death, won a good reputation as a physician, and had he lived and retained his health he would doubtless have distinguished himself in the profession.

Dr. Lionel Chalmers Kennedy

was born June 17th, 1816, in Charleston, S. C. He was the second son of Mr. Lionel Henry Kennedy, a lawyer by profession. He was a grandson of Jarves Henry Stephens, a man of mark in the Revolution under General Francis Marion. His father, in consequence of failing health, relinquished his profession and purchased a farm near Cedar Spring, to which he moved in 1836. Here he resided until his death, January 17th, i^/^y being in the fifty-ninth year of his age.

Dr. Kennedy received his literary education mainly at the "South Carolina School," Meeting street, Charleston, read medicine in the office of Dr. B, F. Simmons in said city, and graduated in medicine from the Medical College at Charleston in 1834. In 1837 he came to Spartanburg and entered into a copartnership with Dr. J. J. Boyd . They had a broad scope of practice extending into all parts of the county.

During the civil war between the States he was surgeon of the 13th Regiment, S. C. V. , and endured the hardships of camp life with manly zeal and courage until his health failed, when he resigned and returned home.

After the war he continued in practice to the time of his death. No physician in Spartanburg county ever attained greater eminence as such than Dr. Kennedy, He was thoroughly conversant with the literature of practice, both in medicine and surgery, and in his profession he was earnest, sympathetic and kind. In the social circle he was always charming. There was a magnetism about him which always attracted old and young. His influence was felt in every circle in which he moved, and this influence was always for good.

Rev. Robert Harden Reid

latter stated that, at the commencement of the South Carolina College in 1846, he was seated on the platform of the chapel with Colonel Wade Hampton, Governor Alston, Judge Whitner and other trustees of the college, listening to the addresses of the graduates, when one of them, a tall, slender youth, mounted the rostrum to derev. r. h. reid.

liver his valedictory. The first words he uttered with a tremblinof voice were characterized with so much earnestness and sincerity of tone that the attention of all were attracted to his eloquent and appropriate address, and it was then predicted for him a brilliant career at the bar and in politics. It was soon apparent, however, that he did not care for popular honors or distinction, but had chosen rather to exert his talents, eloquence and learning in the gospel ministry, where he thought his

He was the son of Andrew Reid, who was an elder of the Good Hope (Presbyterian) church for nearly a half century. He was born in Anderson county, S. C, near Moffettsville, July 17th, 182 1, and is of Scotch-Irish descent.

He was prepared for college by Professor Westly Leverett, a famous teacher in his day, and he graduated from the South Carolina College, as already stated, in 1846. After this he took a regular course in the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of South Carolina while in the middle class, that he might serve as chaplain of the Barhamville Collegiate Institute (near Columbia) during his last year in the seminary, which was his first ministerial work.

His first call was from the Presbyterian church at Anderson, S. C, which he accepted, and after passing a time in fasting and prayer, was ordained and installed in 1850.

In November, 185 1, he was married to Miss Mary Julia, third daughter of Dr. William Anderson of Orrville, S. C, who has made for him a good wife and a hospitable home. She is distinguished for her Sundayschool work, never having, for more than thirty years ^ been absent from her post unless providentially hindered.

In the spring of 1852 Mr. Reid had two calls for his ministerial services, one from Liberty Springs and one from Nazareth, and after prayerful consideration he accepted the latter and moved to Spartanburg district, January, 1853, In the same year he was installed as pastor of Nazareth church, which office he held for forty years. After passing "his three score and ten" he tendered his resignation in consequence of diseases from which he had suffered for nearly a quarter of a century. Having grown into the affections of his congregation by a long and laborious work among them, his resignation was reluctantly accepted.

At the time of his installation as pastor of Nazareth church there were but four other Presbyterian churches in Spartanburg district, viz. : Antioch, North Pacolet, Mt. Calvary and First Church at Spartanburg. Since then quite a number have been organized in Spartanburg county, including Wellford, Center Point and Reidville, the material for which was largely made up of the original membership of Nazareth church. Mr. Reid was for several years the only resident minister of his denomination in Spartanburg district.

His coming to Nazareth greatly strengthened the membership and usefulness of that church. Preaching, which had been had only twice a month, was now changed to a service every Sunday, and an annual collection for Home and Foreign Missions and Bible Society was changed from an annual to a quarterly, and later on to monthly, and finally every Sabbath.

In his New Year's sermon in 1857 Mr. Reid brought before his congregation the subject of education. They took it up for consideration in a business meeting the following week, which resulted in receiving a large number of subscriptions for the building of an institution of learning. A building committee was appointed, a board of trustees elected, a site was chosen, and in October of the same year the corner-stone of the Reidville Female College (named in honor of Mr. Reid) and Male High School was laid. He is the founder of these schools and the first and only president of the Board of Trustees. These schools, now in their forty-first annual session, are in a prosperous and promising condition.

Mr. Reid first inaugurated the movement which led to the Enoree Presbytery and selected the name which was adopted. He presided over the first Democratic convention held in Spartanburg county after the close of the civil war, and served for four years as the first county school commissioner, laying off the school districts and establishing the public schools. He is public-spirited, taking interest in everything that has concerned the welfare of the county, while his whole life has been spent in the advancement of the cause of religion and education.

He still resides at Reidville, having in a measure recovered from diseases which afflicted him for a long time. Being now in his seventy-ninth year, he is thankful for all his opportunities of getting good and of having done a great and noble work.

By his marriage, referred to, he has three children : Rev. B. Palmer Reid, residing at Pendleton, S. C. ; J. Whitner Reid, residing at Reidville ; and Mrs. Ella Smith, wife of Rev. Robert P. Smith.

William Carney Camp, Esq

was born near Warm Springs, N. C, in the year 181 5, and died February 15th, 1900, having reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was a son of Stephen A. and Annie (Alexander) Camp. His father was for many years a resident of Rutherford county, N. C, and was a citizen of prominence and influence in that county. His grandfather was Elias Alexander, wdio was born in 1749 and died in 1818. He emigrated from Maryland to North Carolina before the Revolution. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Agnes McCall.

Wm. C. Camp came to the present county of Spartanburg about the year 1835 or '36, and commenced the carpenter's trade under his kinsman, Adam S. Camp, but possessing a mind of more than ordinary intelligence he began the study of surveying, which he mastered in course of time, and enjoyed the reputation of being among the best in this line of his chosen profession. When in the prime of life he possessed great powers of physical endurance, was a good woodsman and has surveyed more acres of land and has been the means of settling more disputed lines among neighbors than any one who has ever surveyed in Spartanburg county. He has often been assigned by the courts to make surveys of lands in litigation, and the result of his work and reports thereon have seldom been overturned by the verdicts or decrees that followed.

He served for many years as a magistrate or trial justice, and was for several years a member of the Board of county commissioners for Spartanburg county, having been elected by the people to that responsible posi-

Soon after his removal to Spartanbnrg district, Mr. Camp married Miss Tabitha, yonngest daughter of Colonel W. W. Harris of Spartanbnrg, Among the surviving children by this marriage are George H. Camp, Esq., Inman, S. C. ; Mrs. Hattie Dean, wife of Dr. George R. Dean, Spartanburg, S. C. ; Wm. W. Camp, Campobello, S. C. ; C. Frank Camp, conductor, Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad; Mrs. Lizzie Monk, wife of R. B. Monk, Campton, S. C. ; Stephen E. Camp, Kansas City, Mo. ; and Thomas A. Camp, Spartanburg, S. C.

Wm. C. Camp was for many years a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and always occupied before the people of his county a position of influence and popularity. The excellent traits of his character, however, may be summed up in the following tribute to him from the pen of Dr. Carlisle, of Wofford College :

" Soon after the college opened a stranger came to my study one day and introduced himself as William Camp, a surveyor. He very clearly and briefly stated the object of his visit. His school life had been very short, covering only a very few months. He finds some things in his practical work as a surveyor that trouble him. Especially there is a ' fifty-seven and three tenths (57.3),' which he often has occasion to use. By using it he can get good results. But where does this mysterious number come from ? How does it have such useful meaning in it? He had asked older surveyors questions like these, but had received no satisfactory answers. One had said to him : ' Billy, that's none of your business where it comes from. Use it as I tell you, and go on with your business.' But the squire was not a man to rest in an answer like that. It was striking to see how clearly his quick, practical mind seized explanations. As if by intuition he seemed to anticipate mathematical laws and truths, such as he had never learned from books. I soon felt that I was dealing with a man of rare abili- ties in some directions. This conviction was strengthened in frequent interviews through many years. What he might have become with full training in early life will never be known, As it was he showed strong qualities which fully met the expectations raised by a careful study of his fine head and face. These were strongly marked. Intelligence, sincerity, wit, good sense, and positive character were plainly written there, as all these traits were surely displayed in his long life. He was genial, full of life, a good talker, ready with an apt illustration or striking anecdote at every turn in conversation. He had rare insight into character, relieved by a disposition to be gentle rather than severe, and quick to see the playful, amusing features of life and conduct. There was no dullness or languor in company where he had the right of way. His business, during the active years of his life, threw him into free associatious with the dwellers in several counties. Few men had more human beings to meet them pleasantly and familiarly. He was a welcome visitor in many a country home. And he was always ready to return the kindness at his own hospitable fireside.

Lately a younger generation has been touched to see the weight of years pressing down the manly form of the venerable ' squire.' But his kindly qualities of mind and heart remain. May the wintry frosts of prolonged life gather slowly around him. May it be granted to our old friend to have a gentle decline into the deepening shadows of age, and then a peaceful transition to ' the rest that remaineth.' James H. Carlisle.

Colonel Oliver Evans Edwards

In searching among the list of departed heroes of a "Lost Cause " in Spartanburg district, the memory of no one is dearer in the hearts of his surviving countrymen than Oliver Evans Edwards, who was born in the southwestern portion of said district, November 9th,

1 81 9. He was the eldest son of the marriage between Zachary Edwards and Nancy Bobo, the latter a native of Spartanburg district. When about ten or twelve years old his father emigrated to Cass county, Ga., where he grew up to manhood.

Reared under the guardianship of a pious parentage, he joined the Baptist church at Pettits Creek, Ga., in the year 1831, and later transferred his membership to the Baptist church in the town of Spartanburg, where he continued an active, zealous and devoted member to the day of his death. He was also one of its officers, and it was during his time that the present commodious brick structure of the First Baptist church on Church street was erected, through his liberality and business management.

Reaching the age of manhood he returned to his native State, and for one scholastic year he boarded at the house of General B. B. Foster and attended the flourishing school of Rev. Clough Beard at Glenn's Spring.

After this (about 1848 or '49) he selected the law as a profession and commenced its study under the legal tuition of Simpson Bobo, Esq., and by close application he was soon admitted and taken by his distinguished predecessor into partnership, which not only proved profitable but endured during his lifetime. As a lawyer he was prompt, decisive and indefatigable, always looking to the interest of his client.

In 1850 he was elected colonel of the 36th Regiment, S. C. M., which his father had commanded many years before. Prior to his promotion to office he was captain for several years of a volunteer company at Spartanburg.

In 1854 Colonel Edwards was chosen to the office of brigadier-general of the 9th Brigade, S. C. M., which position he held for a few years. In these offices he exhibited the tastes and talents that afterwards proved themselves on the stern arena of the battle-field.

General Edwards was elected to the House of Representatives from Spartanburg district ; first in 1856, and also in '58 and '60. In his second canvass he received the largest popular vote, at that time, ever cast for any one candidate for that office by the people of Spartanburg. As a member of the Legislature he was active, useful and influential ; being chairman of the military Committee during the last two terms of his service in that body. His labors in that capacity were arduous in consequence of the approaching revolution into which the country was drifting, making it necessary to remodel the militia system of the State. His duties were performed with fidelity to his country and honor to himself ; though the overshadowing events of the times obscured and obliterated much of the work. It w^as while he was yet a member of the Legislature the latter called a convention which enacted the famous ordinance of secession ; and, also, while in attendance upon the sessions of the House and absent from home on business, that the 5th Regiment, S. C. V., was organized imder the command of Colonel Micah Jenkins, who led the regiment, after a few weeks' service on Sullivans Island, S. C, to Virginia, which was early in June, 1861, and soon after this Colonel Edwards joined him as a volunteer. The writer w^as with him in the part this regiment performed on that ever memorable day, July 21st, 1861, the date of the first battle of Manasses, which was the first great battle of the war, and the first test of the heroism, valor and patriotism that ever afterwards characterized the Southern soldier on many hard-fought battle-fields.

Remaining for a few weeks in Virginia and observing the gathering war cloud, he returned to South Carolina and organized the 13th Regiment, S. C. V., of which he was elected colonel in the fall of 1861, and from that time until the glorious but terrible morning of " his last battle " he gave himself a true soldier to the cause which he had so ardently espoused ; first on the coast of South Carolina and afterwards in Virginia. His regiment, which he could trust implicitly when the test of courage came, never faltered under his leadership.

Colonel Edwards died of a mortal wound received at Chancellorsville, Va., on the morning after Jackson's famous flank march on Hooker's right and rear. Previous to this he had been slightly wounded at the second battle of Manassas.

Colonel Edwards took command. But he soon brought it to efficient action again and inspired the men by his own ingenious bearing till the fatal missile found its distinguished mark.

In Griffith's Life of John G. Landrmn," page 89, the author, who was captain of a company in McGowen's Brigade, refers to Colonel Edwards in the following complimentary words :

" He (Edwards) was known and loved and honored by the whole people of his county, and no truer, nobler, braver man fell in all the great civil war than this w^armhearted Christian hero. The writer,* though not a member of his regiment, saw him receive his deathwound at Chancellorsville. McGowen's Brigade had just driven the enemy from a line of breastworks and were holding them against a furious charge for their recapture. McGowen had been wounded, and Edwards, as senior colonel, had assumed command of the brigade. He was walking dauntlessly on top of the breastworks a conspicuous mark for the enemy's bullets, one of which did not long shun the mark."

An officer who shared the casualties of Chancellorsville, and who was near him when he was wounded, being then under his command said : " He just loved to Jighty Said another : "It is known that on one occasion when the contest was ended and the mastery won, reviewing the sad work of passion, folly and sin, his heart was moved within him and he retired to a secret place and wept."

On the 23d of January, 1851, Colonel Edwards was married to Miss R. Jane Gary, daughter of Dr. Charles and Mrs. Mary Gary of Laurens district, S. C. She survives him as the present wife of Dr. J. J. Boyd of Spartanburg. It was with her that Colonel Edwards

.-spent the happier moments of his imnsiially eventful life, and who was, throughout their entire married life, .a constant and devoted companion.

After Colonel Edwards had been wounded at Chancellorsville. May 3d, 1863, ^^ lived until the 21st of June following, and during this time he was tenderly waited upon by liis devoted wife. In the effort to bring him back to his home in Spartanburg, it was apparent that his vitality was growing weaker, and he was carefully lifted from the train at Goldsboro, N, C, and carried to the house of a friend, where he expired in a few days in the presence of his wife and others who had constantly .and tenderly waited about his bedside during his last hours of suffering.

Like a Christian he lived, like a Christian he died. He was wounded on Sunday morning, and after seven weeks of painful suffering he passed on Sunday morning to the Sabbath of rest in heaven. His immortal spirit, like that of Stonewall Jackson, who received his mortal wound on the same field, "crossed over the river to rest under the shade of the trees."

Colonel Joseph Walker

In the great w^ar between the States between three and four thousand men were enlisted in the service from Spartanburg district, and of this number only about three rose to the rank of colonel in the regular volunteer service of the Confederate States, viz. : O. E. Edw^ards, Benjamin T. Brockman and Joseph Walker, the latter the subject of this sketch.

Colonel Walker was born on Fair Forest Creek within two miles of the city of Spartanburg. He is a son of Jacob A. and Susan (Cannon) Walker, both natives of Spartanburg county, born respectively in 181 1 and '14.

The father was a son of Colonel John Walker, a native of Virginia, and the mother the danghter of John Cannon (sister of Hon. Gabriel Cannon), also a native of Virginia. They were married in 1833 and had four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, of whom Colonel Walker was the eldest. The mother of this family died in 1850 and subsequently the father married Miss Adaline Patterson, who bore him five children, four sonsand one daughter. Of these all are living except one son.

Colonel Walker was reared on his father's plantation, receiving a good common school edncation. In 1853 he secured a position as clerk in the store of John B. Cleveland, Sr., and remained with him for three years^ during which time he received a good business education. From 1856 to i860 he did business on his own account, availing himself of the means he had accumulated while a clerk. In i860 he was united in marriage with Miss Susan E., daughter of Alexander Wingo, who was once sheriff of Spartanburg district. Mrs. Walker died in April, 1900.

A few months before the outbreak of the civil war the Spartan Rifles was organized at Spartanburg, composed as it was of the very best material which could be brought together in that town and surrounding country. To the command of this gallant company, numbering at first nearly one hundred men, Joseph Walker was elected captain ; the lieutenants of the same being John H. Evins, T. Stobo Farrow,* and Dr. C. E. Fleming.

Upon the organization of the 5th Regiment, S. C. V. (Colonel Micah Jenkins), the Spartan Rifles formed a part of the same, being known as Company K. Colonel Walker commanded this company for one year, which was the term for which the company had enlisted. In April, 1862, upon the reorganization of the South Carolina troops, in Virginia, he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Palmetto Sharpshooters, composed of twelve companies, and upon the promotion of Colonel Jenkins to a brigadier-generalship, he was promoted to the colonelcy

* Ivieutenant Farrow resigned soon after the organization of this company. Henrj- H. Thomson was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the same. He served until the battle of Sharpsburg, Md., where he was wounded and lost a leg.

It would occupy considerable space in this volume to recount the distinguished service rendered the Southern cause by Colonel Walker at the head of the Palmetto Sharpshooters. When the record of that regiment is properly written and recorded in the pages of history, it will disclose his military career also. He participated in nearly all the battles in which Lee's army was engaged, and also in the Chattanooga and Knoxville campaigns under Longstreet, in all of which he proved himself to be a brave and loyal soldier and an able and efficient officer.

In referring to the battles of South Mountain and Sharpsburg, A. L. Walsh, in the Chester Reporter^ says : " It was my privilege to be with him (Colonel Walker) as courier through that campaign, though he had two extra couriers detailed from cavalry, from South Mountain till we reached Shepherdstown. I never served under a more courteous, brave, and generous officer than Colonel Joseph Walker of Spartanburg, and but for the termination when it did, he would have been a brigadiergeneral."*

Colonel Walker and his regiment surrendered with Lee at Appomattox, and on his return to Spartanburg he engaged in business as a merchant until 1875 ; then was in the cotton and fertilizer trade until 1889, when he took part in the organization of the Merchants and Farmers Bank, and has since served as president of the same.

For ten years or more after the war he was the mayor of the city of Spartanburg, during which it commenced a new era of progress, which it still continues. He is a director in the Pacolet, Whitney, Beanmont and Prodnco Mills, and holds the same office in the Iron District, Fire Insurance, Converse College, Spartanburg Herald^ Fidel ty Loan and Trust, People's Building and Loan, and Columbia Phosphate companies, all this showing him to be a progressive business man, fully alive to the best interests of his county and State.

Colonel Walker was elected by the people of Spartanburg and the soldiers in the army from said county eligible to vote a representative to the State Legislature from 1864 to '66, and whatever service he rendered in that body was in the winter season when the armies were inactive and in winter quarters.

By his marriage in i860 to Miss Wingo, he has two daughters living : Alice May, wife of J. Boyce Lee, merchant in Spartanburg ; and Susan J., wife of L. Guy Harris, a manufacturer at Fairmount, S. C.

Colonel Walker was the first commander of Camp Joseph Walker, named in his honor. His only full brother, Felix Walker, was killed in the civil war at the battle of Seven Pines. A gallant young man, let his memory be preserved along with other heroes that perished in that great struggle for Southern liberty.