Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Hon. John Hamilton Evins, 1900

Hon. John Hamilton Evins

vSon of Colonel Sam'l N. Evins, was born on the Tygers Jnly 1 8th, 1830. He descended from distingnished ancestry. His grandfather, Alexander Evins, served nnder Mad Anthony Wayne and was wounded severely at the storming of Stony Point. He was one of the founders of Nazareth (Presbyterian) church, and was a ruling elder. His remains repose in the cemetery near-by.

The mother of our sketch was a daughter of General Thomas Moore, who fought in the battle of Cowpens against the British when a boy of only sixteen years. In later years he became prominent in the politics of the State and was a member of Congress from 1801 to '13, and from 181 5 to '17. During the interval between these two periods in Congress he was in the field of the war of 181 2 as a brigadier-general, commanding troops on the seacoast of South Carolina.

In early life John H. Evins received not only good ediicational advantages, but received what was better, the precept and example of parents who were distinguished for high-toned principles, broad views, liberal hospitality and earnest Christian character. He received his higher education at the South Carolina College, graduating from that institution in the class of 1853.

Selecting the law as his chosen profession, he was in course of time admitted to practice in the courts of South Carolina, after which he was associated in practice with that distinguished jurist, Hon. Thomas N. Dawkins, afterward one of the judges of the circuit courts

At the outbreak of hostilities between the States he was a lieutenant in one of the first companies (Spartan Rifles) raised in Spartanburg, and was gallant at the iirst battle of Manassas and other enofao-enients of the war. At the battle of Seven Pines in 1862 he was so severely wounded in the left arm that amputation was proposed. He, however, sternly opposed this, and through the skill and attention of his brother, who was a surgeon in the army, his arm was saved. Upon his partial recovery, being permanently disabled from further ;active duties in the field, he continued in the performance of light military duty with the rank of colonel,

At the close of the war Colonel Evins reopened hislaw office in Spartanburg, associating himself in the practice, after a time, with Major John Earle Bomar,. under the name of Evins & Bomar, and later Evins,.. Bomar & Simpson, with whom he devoted himself closely and successfully to his profession until 1876, when he was called to a higher sphere of usefulness.

In 1876 he was tendered the nomination for Congressfrom his district, and was elected to the forty-fifth Congress, and served continuously as the Representative of the Fourth Congressional district of South Carolina until his death, which took place October 20th, 1884.

In the memorial addresses delivered in Congress on the life and character of Hon. John H. Evins, January 20th and 2ist, 1885, Congressman Dibble said : "In the death of Mr. Evins we have lost one with a character for honesty so high that slander could not reach it, a merit so modest that envy never assailed it, a public spirit so uniform that suspicion of self-interest never impugned it, a Christian consistency so unassuming that it escaped the sneers of the scoffer."

Mr. Hardeman of Georgia said : " Born on Southern soil and under sunny skies he imbibed in his nature their genial attributes as evidenced by the gentleness of his manner, the warmth of his nature and the purity of his life. Devoted to the South, his whole being was fired with an ardent love for the welfare of his people^ the honor of his section and the glory of his State."

General Hampton, among other things, said : " The example left by such a life and the lessons taught by it ear of higher value to the world than all the prizes that ambition, wealth and power can win. These latter may for a time sway mankind, but in the balance, held by

In early life Colonel Evins made a public profession of religion, joining Nazareth, the church of his fathers. In later years he transferred his membership to the Presbyterian church at Spartanburg, of which he was an elder, and also the superintendent of the Sabbath-school from 1868 until he entered Congress in 1877. " ^^^ unswerving fidelity to religion, his genuine and practical loyalty to his own church, and his eminent purity of life ever shone out brightly in all the circumstances in which he was placed."

In 1865 he married ]\Iiss Hattie D., daughter of Jefferson Choice, Esq., by whom he had eight children, viz. : Mary Elizabeth, Jefferson Choice, Samuel Nesbitt, Florence Moore, Margaret Emily, John Hamilton, Andrew Cleveland and Cleveland.

Major David Robinson Duncan

son of Professor David Duncan, and one of the leadingmembers of the Spartanburg bar, was born at Randolph- Macon College, Mecklenburg county, Va. , September 27, 1836. He received his early education at Randolph- Macon College, at which his father was a professor and from which he himself graduated in June, 1855. He at once came to Spartanburg, whither his father had removed in 1854, and here, for one year, taught the Odd Fellows' High School as its first teacher. At the same time he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to the bar. He at once took up the practice of his profession in Spartanburg, where he has ever since practiced with the exception of four years during the civil war. In August^ 1 86 1, he entered the service of the Confederate army as first lieutenant of Co. C, 13th Regiment, S. C. V. Upon the organization of the regiment he was made captain of his company, and was thus the junior captain of his regiment. He served in this capacity till the spring of 1864, when he was promoted to the rank of major. He was a brave soldier and a faithful conscientious officer. He was in the battles before Richmond, at Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Second Manassas, Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, 'Spottsylvania Courthouse, Second Cold Harbor and the engagements about Petersburg, he being in McGowan's brigade. Hill's division, and Jackson's corps.

At the close of the war he resumed his law practice. In 1865 he was elected a member of the lower house of the State legislature, and was reelected in 1S70, and in 1872 was elected a member of the State Senate, serving in that body four years. In August, 1875, ^^^ ^^'^^ elected president of the Spartanburg and Asheville Railroad Company, and served as such four years, during which time the road was completed. This was the first railway built across the Blue Ridge in South Carolina.

In 1880 Major Duncan was elected solicitor of the seventh judicial circuit, and served eight years, being reelected for a second term in 1884. He is assistant division counsel of the Southern Railway Company. His law practice has been general in character, and he is recognized as one of the ablest practitioners in the State. Whether viewed from a civil, military or legal standpoint, he holds an enviable position, and one that does him great honor.

]\Iajor Duncan was married July 9th, 1856, to Miss Virginia, daughter of William and Martha Nelson, formerly of Alecklenburg county, Va. Mrs. Duncan is a descendant of Governor Thomas Nelson, of Virginia, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence. The marriage of Major Duncan has resulted in the birth of four children, whose respective names are Mary Elizabeth, now the wife of John D. Garlington, of Laurens county ; Martha Nelson, now the wife of John E. Wannamaker, of St. Matthews, Orangeburg county ; William Nelson, a resident of Spartanburg county, and Carrie Virginia, whose home is with her parents.

Major Duncan and wife are members of the INIethodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat of the true stamp and in the best sense of the word. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and Eminent Commander of Spartanburg Commandery of Knights Templar and a Knight of Pythias. He is one of the directors of the Spartan Mills Company, located at Spartanburg, vS. C.

was born in Fairfield county, S. C, May 14th, 1S27, entered the South Carolina College at Columbia, S. C, October, 1846, and graduated December, 1849.

He taught school for several years, and while teaching at Lancaster Court-house, S. C, he read law with Minor Clinton of the Lancaster bar, who kindly gave him the benefit of his law library. He was admitted to the bar in 1854, and removed to Spartanburg in 1855 and began the practice of law.

In the summer of 1861 he assisted in raising a company which was organized at Spartanburg called the Forest Rifles. T. Stobo Farrow was elected captain, David R. Duncan first lieutenant, John W. Carlisle second lieutenant, and Alexander S. Douglass junior second lieutenant. This company, known as Co. C, entered inta the organization of the 13th Regt., S. C. V. (Colonel O. E. Edwards), which belonged to Gregg's brigade, Hill's division and Jackson's corps. Army of Northern Virginia. Upon the organization of the 13th Regiment Captain Farrow was made major, Lieutenant Duncan was promoted captain, and Lieutenant Carlisle was promoted first lieutenant of Co. C. During the progress of the war Captain Duncan became major of the 13th Regiment, and Lieutenant Carlisle was promoted captain of his company, which position he held until the end of the war, surrendering the same at Appomattox, April loth, 1865, with some twenty guns. All the commissioned officers of this company surrendered and are still living.

There was no company during the great civil war that rendered more gallant service or endured greater sacrifices than Co. C, 13th S. C. Regiment. From the company roll which we publish in this volume, it will be seen that, first and last, the number of men enrolled was 122. Of this number 26 were either killed outright or died of wounds received on field of battle, 35 were wounded and a number died of diseases. Captain Carlisle, during the great contest for Southern independence, proved himself to be an efficient and gallant officer, and his men were devoted to him.

Returning home after the close of the civil war Captain Carlisle resumed the practice of law. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of South Carolina in 1865, and has served two terms in the State Legislature. He is still in good health and is practicing law with his son, Howard Bobo Carlisle.

Hon. Alexander Simonton Douglass

son of Alexander and Janet (Simonton) Douglass, was born in Fairfield district, S. C, December 25th, 1833. His grandparents, Alexander and Grace Douglass, emi- grated from the county Antrim, Ireland, to South Carolina about 1790, and settled in Fairfield district. His maternal grandfather, John Simonton, when about seventeen years old, came from Pennsylvania to South Carolina in 1779 in search of his brother Robert, who was enlisted in the Southern army. Not meeting his brother, he joined the command of Captain John McClure and was in the battle of Houck's defeat July 12th, 1780, and other engagements.

John Simonton married Margaret Strong, daughter of Charles and Janet Strong, whose maiden name was Janet Gaston, and who was the Mrs. Strong referred to in Mrs. Ellet's " Women of the Revolution," and iu Howe's " History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina."

Alexander S. Douglass, after receiving his preparatory education in the neighborhood schools, entered the sophomore class in Erskine College at Due West, S. C, in 1850, from which he graduated in 1853 in a class of thirteen members. Dr. Grier, the president, informed the class that the faculty could not distinguish between the scholarship of four members who stood highest in the class. Mr. Douglass was the youngest of the four named by him.

After studying law under ex-Governor B. F. Perr\-, in Greenville, S. C, for about ten months, Mr. Douglass entered the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, in October, 1854, and took a full law course under professors of distinguished ability. Returning home from Virginia he read law in the office of Hon. R. B. Bozleton, at Winnsboro, S. C, for a few months, and was admitted to practice law in court of appeals in Columbia in December of the same year. He located in Spartanburg in January, 1856, and in December of the same

In January, 1857, Hon. John H. Evins and himself became the proprietors and editors of the Spartanburg Express^ and continued together with that paper until ]\Ir. Evins formed a law partnership with Jefferson Choice, Esq., in 1859, when he purchased his interest and became sole proprietor and editor. The paper was ably edited and gained popular favor from year to year, and no paper in the up-country did more in influencing the thoughts and sentiments of the people, being as it was, sound in Democratic principles.

In April, i860, I\Ir. Douglass was a delegate from Spartanburg to the State Democratic Convention, which met in Columbia and appointed delegates to represent South Carolina in the National Democratic Convention, which met in Charleston, S. C. , in the spring of the same year to nominate candidates for president and vice-president of the United States. What followed after the meeting of this convention is well known to every reader of our political history.

In August, 1861, Air. Douglass became a member of Co. C, 13th Regiment, S. C. V., and was elected junior second lieutenant at its organization. The company left Spartanburg on the 27th day of August, 1861, for Lightwood Knot Springs, near Columbia, where the 13th Regiment was organized and mustered into Confederate service, with O. E. Edwards, colonel ; P. E. Calhoun, lieutenant-colonel, and T. Stobo Farrow (the first captain of Co. C), major. Then D. R. Duncan became, by promotion, captain ; J. W. Carlisle, first lieutenant ; A. S. Douglass, senior second lieutenant, and Charles Petty was elected junior second lieutenant.

After the capture of Hilton Head and Bay Point by the Federal fleet, the companies of this regiment reunited at Coosawhatchie, and changing encampments from place to place - to Old Pocotaligo, Combahee Ferry, and Green Pond - it was finally consolidated (April, 1862) into a brigade consisting of the 12th, 13th and 14th S. C. Regiments, commanded by General i\Iaxcy Gregg. Soon after, this brigade was ordered to Virginia, where it rendered distinguished service.

Lieutenant Douglass was with his regiment during the Seven Days around Richmond, and was engaged in battles of Gaines Mill and Cold Harbor, but soon after this was taken sick with fever, and was sent back to camp by the regimental surgeon. He recovered in a short while, and rejoined his regiment below Richmond opposite Harrison's Landing. He was with the army in its advance up the Rappahannock river, and was with General Jackson in his great movement to Manassas Junction in the rear of General Pope's army, and was in the second battle of Manassas.

After this, having had fever for several days, he was unable to accompany the army further ; was sent back, and got a furlough ; went home, and was unable to return for duty until October, when he joined his command at Bunker Hill, near Winchester, Va. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., Jericho Ford, Second Cold Harbor, Riddle's Shop, attack at Petersburg in front of line. Deep Bottom, Fussell's Mill, in which last engagement he was wounded, and in consequence of which he was absent from the army until October of the same }'ear, when he returned to his command, after which he was in all the battles and marches in which his regiment was engaged, including the march to Jarrett's Station on the Weldon Railroad, in December, 1864, to meet movement of Federals ; battles of Gravelly Run, and Sunderland Station, April 2d, 1865 (the day that the Confederate lines were broken around Petersburg) ; and ^fter this his command was constantly exposed to shells and Minie balls, and was about to go into an engagement at Appomattox, C. H., on April 9th, 1865, when it was recalled and it was announced that General Lee was about to surrender the army. General Custer of the Federal army passed in front of the old 13th Regiment with a white flag as it was going into the engagement.

Lieutenant Douglass witnessed that memorable scene ^which is too deeply impressed upon the memory of all Avho witnessed it ever to be forgotten, when General Lee returned from his interview with General Grant, .and his soldiers gathered around him in many ranks -deep - some climbing trees the better to hear and see - and in sorrow and in tears heard from his lips the sad result.

At the battle of Gettysburg Lieutenant Douglass had command of the ambulance corps of his brigade, which was composed of two men (selected for their faithfulness in the discharge of duty) from each company in each regiment, whose duty it was to march in rear of their respective commands in every battle and carry off the wounded as they fell to the ambulance, which carried them to the field hospital. He mentions an incident which took place at Gettysburg, which illustrates the bravery and character of the men who composed the ambulance corps : On the 2d of July, 1863, ^ Federal soldier was lying wounded in the hot sun, some distance in front of the Confederate lines, and was crying piteously to be removed. The brigade was lying behind some temporary breastworks made of fence-rails piled up in front of the men, and as soon as a soldier rose ta an upright position he became the target of the Federal sharpshooters. Lieutenant Douglass got four men to volunteer to go with him and carry off this wounded Federal soldier to the Federal hospital at the Lutheran Seminary, which was within the Confederate lines. They were the target of the Federal sharpshooters until the four men got the wounded Federal on the litter,, when, seeing the mission of mercy of Lieutenant Douglass and his men to their wounded comrade, they ceased firing at them. Two of these four men were fiom Spartanburg - Isham Kirby of Co. C, and A. Willis of Co. I, 13th Regiment, S. C. V. The other two were David Suber of Co. D, from Newberry, and Dick Taylor of Co. K, from Lexington - all members of the 13th Regiment.

In January, 1866, Mr. Douglass commenced the practice of law in Winnsboro, S. C, where he has resided ever since, and has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. He was a member of the State Legislature from Fairfield county during the sessions of 1882-83.

In November, i860, he married Miss Mary E. Byers, daughter of James M. Byers of Union District, and by this marriage has two sons living, one of whom, W. D. Douglass, is associated with him in the practic of law. The other, J. B. Douglass, is a merchant in Gainesville,. Florida. His first wife died in 1867.

He subsequently married Miss Sallie M. McCants,. daughter of James B. McCants of Winnsboro, who was his law partner until his death in 1880, and by this marriage he has three children living - two daughters and a son.

He is now an elder in the Presbyterian Cluirch at Winnsboro, and has been the superintendent of its Snnday-school since i860. He is yet in the vigor of heahh, and it is hoped that many long years of usefulness are yet before him.

Hon. Charles Petty

was born January 15th, 1835, near Gaffney, S. C. He was raised on his father's farm, and began his education in the "old field schools" of his neighborhood. He graduated at Wofford College in the class of 1857. Was teaching in the Spartanburg Female College when the civil war came on. He volunteered in Co. C, 13th Regiment, S. C. V., which rendered distinguished service during the war, and suffered heavy casualties. Mr. Petty was a lieutenant in this company during the entire war, and surrendered with General Lee's army at Appomattox.

After the war he engaged in farming, and teaching occasionally. In 1879 he became proprietor and editor of the Carolina Spartan (established in 1844 or '45), which position he now holds., and as such he has always advocated such measures as he believed to be for the best interests of his country. Mr. Petty (or Captain Petty, as he is now called) was, while a resident of Union county, chosen to represent said county in the Provisional Legislature of 1865-66, and was elected from Spartanburg county to the State Legislature in 1876, being a member of the famous "Wallace House."

In 1859 he married Miss Julia Davis of Wilkinsville, Union county, S. C. They have five children : Mrs. J. T. Calvert, Paul Petty, Mrs. Eva Petty Shearn (N. Y.), Mrs. C. H. Henry, and Miss Agnes Petty.

Dr. Charles Kdward Fleming

son of James David and Sara Boatwright Fleming, was born in Columbia, S. C, August 29th, 1835, Graduated in the South Carolina College in 1855, with the degrees of A.B. and AM. In March, 1858, he graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and began practice in Spartanburg in 1859, which he continued until the outbreak of the civil war. He responded to the first call for volunteers by the governor of the State, and in the spring of '61 became second lieutenant of Co. K (Spartan Rifles) , 5th Regiment, S. C. V., which was among the first companies to leave Spartanburg for the service. He served with this company for one year, when he was appointed surgeon of the 2 2d Regiment, S. C. V., which position he held until the surrender at Appomattox. At the close of the war he resumed the practice for a few months in Spartanburg, but subsequently gave up his profession and went to Philadelphia, where he took a full course in the Business College of Bryant & Stratton. Graduating there, he returned to Spartanburg and engaged in the business of hardware and in buying and selling cotton, in 1866, and for the following twentyeight years was fully identified with the business enterprises of the growing city and county.

After dealing largely for years in cotton and fertilizers, he, being a member of the firm of Walker, Fleming & Montgomery, decided, with the firm, to build a cotton mill, and in 1881 purchased the fine water-power at Trough Shoals on Pacolet river. Armed with suitable letters of introduction, he went North and secured large sums of money, which, since that time, has led to the building of other extensive cotton mills in Spartanburg city and county.

After the dissolution of the firm, a few years later, Dr. Fleming was instrumental in building the Whitney Cotton Mills, and was interested in the building of Tucapau Mills at the time of his death, having organized and being president and treasurer of both.

Dr. Fleming was president of Pacolet Manufacturing Company, director of Merchants and Farmers Bank, Spartanburg, trustee and treasurer of the Kennedy Library, president of the first board of trustees of the graded school system of the city, trustee of the Converse College, and had filled every office given to laymen in his church. His death occurred June 23d, 1894. The following is an extract from the Spartanburg Herald^ of date June 24th :

"Dr. Fleming was a man whose life and character was that of a typical South Carolina gentleman : the soul of honor - high in all his words, deeds and thoughts, but tender and sympathetic as a woman. In all the relations of life he was the exemplar of exalted manhood, beloved by all who knew him. . . . Broad and liberal in all matters of a pnblic nature, his advice and counsel was respected. ... It seldom happens that truth will allow so much to be said of a man ; but his was a life worthy of emulation."

Dr. Fleming was married in 1862 to Lizzie, daughter of Hon. H. J. Dean of Spartanburg. He left four daughters and a son : St. lyawrence, Sara, Mabel, Edwin and Gladys.

Co Lonel Benjamin T. Brockman

In recording the names and gallant deeds of the heroes of Spartanburg there are none more deserving of special mention in the annals of our country's history than Colonel Benjamin T. Brockman, the subject of this notice.

He w^as a native of Greenville district, S. C, being the son of Hon. Thomas P. Brockman, a prominent and estimable citizen of that district, who, for some years before the beginning of the civil war, represented the same in the Senate of South Carolina. On his maternal side he is the great-grandson of Benjamin Kilgore, a distinguished captain in the Revolution, mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

Colonel Brockman was born December nth, 1831, and received as he grew up a first-class education. Some time in the fifties he removed to Spartanburg district, purchased lands and bsgan the business of merchandizing on the old Bancombs road about two miles southwest of Reidville.

At the outbreak of the civil war Colonel Brockman was elected captain of Co. B, 13th Regiment, S. C. V., and by gradual promotion become the colonel of said regiment. Having lost his life in defence of a " Lost

Cause," it is due to his memory to state that no man stood closer to the people of his district than he did. He was a man of great benevolence and broad charity, contributing liberally of his means to relieve distress and suffering humanity wherever found. He was no respecter of persons, and would do as much for the poor of his surrounding country as he would do for the rich. He was everybody's friend and everybody was his friend. His public spirit was evident from the manner in which he built up his community. He was never married. Was promoted to the colonelcy of the 13th Regiment in May, 1863, succeeding the brave and fearless Colonel O. E. Edwards, who received his mortal wound at Chancellorsville, Va., the third day of the same month.

No braver or more daring spirit ever led troops in battle than Colonel Brocknian. He is vividly remembered by his comrades on the 12th of May, 1864, when he led that bloody charge near Spottsylvania Court-house, known to all veterans of that battle as the "Bloody Bend." Here he received wdiat proved to be his deathwound. He was carried to a hospital in Richmond, Va., where he had an arm amputated.* He lived one month. He was expected home when the sad news came that gan-

*The writer has before him wh at possibly is the last letter ever written by Colonel Brockman. It is addressed to his sister, Mrs. Dr. Harris, of Hutherfordton, N. C, and reads as follows: "Richmond, May 24th, '^6\. Dear Sister Mary: - I have been unfortunate in losing my left arm

Captain Jesse K, Brockman

Colonel Brockman was succeeded as captain of Co. B,. 13th Regiment, by his only brother, Captain Jesse K, Brockman, born April 23d, 1839, who fell in the same battle (Spottsylvania) as Colonel Brockman, He was carried after several days from the field of battle to a field hospital, where he lingered for one week. He was buried by a noted spring near the battle-field, where he now sleeps.

Colonel Brockman and Captain Brockman " volunteered in the summer of 1861 (their commissions bearing date of August) and were made respectively captain and first lieutenant of the company which they had been active in getting up for service, which in compliment to the name was known as the 'Brockman Guards,'

The fall of these young patriots was a heartsickening blow, not only to the seven sisters and numerous other relatives, but also to the whole community. The wound of Captain Jesse K. Brockman was from the first reported mortal, and his young wife, leaving at home her two little boys, the elder scarcely out of arms, the younger a babe, made all possible haste to reach him. His wound was too severe to admit of his removal, and our troops having fallen back, he was left in the battle of the 12th of May, the bloodiest fight of the war. Jesse was wounded, I expect dangerously, and fell into the hands of the enemy. Poor fellow, the only brother I had is now, perhaps, cold in death, but we have to submit to these things. He was, as I am informed, acting with distinguished valor when he was shot. . . Excuse short note. My respects to the Doctor and a kiss to Edgar. Truly your brother, B. T. Brockman."

in the hands of the enemy at Spottsylvania. Before he was taken to the hospital he is said to have lain three days weltering in his blood on the battle-field, with no attention whatever except a little water which had been placed within his reach by the hand of some hnmane stranger.

" One friend was with him in his last days to witness his Christian resignation to his fate, and to bear his dying message to his despairing wife and helpless little sons. He was the youngest of a large family, and was from childhood the pet and darling of the household. His sensibilities were delicate and tender, his sympathies strong, his friendships ardent and sincere. He possessed much firmness and stability of character, and his patriotism was pure and unsullied. He forsook the smiles of a bride to encounter the perils and hardships of war. After nearly three years of sacrifice, toil and danger, and after passing through many terrible battles, he received his fatal stroke while waving his hat and cheering his men on to the deadly conflict. He expired May 28th, 1864,. aged 25 years and 35 days."

Captain Brockman married January loth, i86r, Miss Kittie Bryson, who still survives him. The two sonsreferred to arfe still living, viz. : Thomas P. Brockman, who married Ada Haynes of Spartanburg city, and now lives at Pacolet Mills with an interesting family, and Jesse K. Brockman, who married Jennie.

Barry, daug-hter of Captain C. A. Barry, deceased, of Spartanburg county ; now resides in Birmingham, Ala., with his wife and three children, viz.: Mary, Virginia and Jesse. He is at the head of a large and prosperous land abstract company, and ranks high as a business man, and is an elder in the Presbyterian church at Birminofham. He was raised and educated from his fourteenth year by Colonel T. J. Moore of Moore, S. C, whose wife is a near kinswoman.

Captain Benjamin Kennedy

was born November 21st, 1821, about four miles east of Union, S. C. He descended from distinguished Revolutionarv ancestry. His grandfather, William Kennedy, Esq., emigrated from Virginia and settled in Union county some years before the Revolution. He married a Miss Brandon, a sister of General Thomas Brandon of Revolutionary fauie. In Howe's "History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina" we find the following: "William Kennedy was active in the war as a soldier, and subsequently filled various places of honor and trust. He was a member of the Legislature as long as he would consent to serve." He was for a long time countv judge ; was an elder in Brown's Creek (afterwards Union) Presbyterian Church. He reared eleven children, the youngest of whom was Benjamin, who married Lucie Gilbert of Abbeville, S. C. Lucie Gilbert was of French Huguenot descent. Her father, Pierre Gilbert, and mother, Elizabeth Bienaime, came to South Carolina in i 764 with a colony of Huguenots who left their native land on account of religious persecution. They came to this country under the leadership of Rev. Jean Souri Gilbert, an uncle of Pierre Oilbert. This colony settled in Abbeville county at a place on Little River which they called New Bordeaux.

After the death of Rev. Jean Soiiri Gilbert, Pierre Gilbert was the acknowledg'ed leader of the colony, in both religious and political affairs.

to them. But it was not long before the home was saddened by the death of the father. After the father's death another son came to cheer the widowed mother. He was named Benjamin for his father. Mrs. Kennedy lived to be an old woman, but she never married again. She devoted her life to the rearing and training of her two boys, and in a few )ears after her husband's death she removed to the vicinity of the present town of Jonesville, S. C, where she and her sons remained durino; their lives.

Young Benjamin, the subject of our sketch, was fond of his books and made rapid progress in Greek, Latin and mathematics, under such teachers as Rev. Jas. H, Saye and Abiel Foster.

The two brothers (John and Benjamin) did business together until after the civil war. They built a merchant mill on Fair Forest known as Kennedy's Mill, which received a good custom.

At the end of twelve months, the term for which he volunteered, he resigned his commission and returned home for a short time. He then revolunteered, and was placed in the 3d Regiment, S. C. Reserves, under Colonel Wilson. Here he was acting adjutant for several months. He afterwards went to Florida with the 1 8th S. C. Regiment, and from that State to Virginia with the same regiment. He was in the trenches at Petersburg during the time of the explosion of the mine (1864), and narrowly escaped losing his life.

Before the fall of Petersburg Captain Kennedy was transferred to the cavalry in Johnston's army, because he was fortunate in possessing a horse.

After the war, Captain Kennedy married Miss Eunice Foster, daughter of Colonel B. B. Foster. He spent the remainder of his life on his farm, near Jonesville, S. C.^ where he died June 7th, 1894, aged seventy-two years. He left a wife and seven children to mourn the loss of a noble husband and father.

T'orest Presbyterian Church until shortly after the war, when he joined the Sulphur Spring Baptist Church, of which he was a consistent member and deacon at the time of his death.

John A. Lee

Among the present resident population of the city of Spartanburg, there are none who have been longer identified with the business and material prosperity of said city than John A. Lee, or Majoi^ Lee^ as he is familiarly known and called b)- the people. He won the title of major from the fact that during the civil war he was commissioned and appointed by authority of the government of the Confederate States agent for the purchase of commissary supplies. He was born in 1824 near Pacolet, S. C, was raised on his father's farm, and received a good education in the common schools of his neighborhood.

Beginning business in Spartanburg in 1847, he is at present the eldest merchant in that city. He was at first associated with B. F. Bates in the mercantile business, the firm being known as Lee & Bates, which copartnership only lasted two years. He then did business for himself in the same line until 1853, when the firm name became Lee & Twitty, succeeded in 1855 by

Lee «& Briggs. After the war the same house reopened, and from 1867 to 187 1 was known as J. A. Lee & Co. From then until 1883, when he took his son, Mr. Boyce Lee, into partnership with him, he was alone in business and succeeded in placing his mercantile house as the leading one in the city.

The present firm of J. A. Lee & Son ranks among the foremost in the city of Spartanburg, carrying a stock of merchandise not much short of $50,000, which consists of foreign, domestic and other first-class goods, together with a full line of groceries in a separate compartment of the extensive mercantile establishment, the trade of which extends through Spartanburg, LTnion and Laurens counties in South Carolina, and also in Polk, Rutherford and Cleveland counties in North Carolina.

In all his business relations, at home and abroad, no one stands higher in the estimation of the people as a gentleman and business man than John A. Lee. He and his son have deservedly gained their present position as the most solid business men of the county, the father especially having won his reputation by industry, good management and economy - having started life, figuratively speaking, on nothing at all ; and that he is a high-toned merchant lies in the fact that during his fiftythree years of business life he has not compromised a single debt.

Major Lee has not only been a successful business man, proving himself to be at all times high-minded and honorable, but he has always been liberal and publicspirited. From 1850 to 1865 he was postmaster at Spartanburg, which embraced the entire jjeriod of the civil war, and is familiarly known to the survivors of that period as the "War Postmaster." He is a consist-

He has been married three times : First to Miss Rosanna Briggs, by whom he has two children, viz. : Mr. J. Boyce Lee and Mrs. D. E. Hydrick.

George Cofield

was born in Union county, S. C, February i6th, 1834. He is the second child in order of birth of nine children of Thomas K. and Anna (Caldwell) Cofield, the latter a native of Newberry county, born February 17th, 181 1, being the daughter of Joseph Caldwell, and who married August 20th, 1831. His father, Thomas K. Cofield^ born February 17th, 181 1, a farmer, was the only child of Edward Cofield, a native of Virginia.

George Cofield was reared on his father's farm where he was born, receiving his early education in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1855 entered the Wofford College, from which he graduated in 1858. He was engaged in school-teaching one year before his graduation and taught three years afterwards.

In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the service of the Confederate States, being a member of the Holcombe Legion, where he served until the latter part of 1863, holding the rank of second lieutenant. Returning home he remained a year, when in the autumn of 1864 he reentered the service in the Holcombe Legion, where he remained until the close of the war.

ing business. He was made assistant cashier of the Spartanburg branch of the Citizens Savings Bank of South Carolina. Upon the organization of the National Bank of Spartanburg, July, 1871, he was made its cashier, which position he held until 1885, when, upon the death of Mr. D. C Judd, he was made president, which position he still holds. In 1887, upon the organization

-of the Spartanburg Fidelity Loan and Trust Company he was made president, which position he still retains. For the past twenty-six years he has been secretary, treasurer and manager of various building and loan associations in Spartanburg, having wound up several during that time, while others are still in successful operation. He is one of the principal originators and president of the Iron District Fire Insurance Company organized in 1890 with a capital of $100,000. For many years he has been superintendent of the fire insurance company at Spartanburg, and is at present a stockholder in the Spartan mills and the Converse College Company.

In 1859 Mr. Cofield was married to Miss Mary C, daughter of David W. Moore, a well-known and popular citizen who resided in Spartanburg. By this marriage ten children were born, only three sons and three daughters of whom are now living. Their names are James, Clemintina, George, Margaret, Ruth and Robert.

Mr. and Mrs. Cofield are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Cofield has filled several positions of responsibility in his church relationship, being at present a member of the board of stewards and of the board of trustees of the church. In the organization of the South Carolina Conference he was made a member of the legal conference and is also a member of the board of trustees of Wofford College at Spartanburg.

Mr. Cofield is in every sense a progressive and publicspirited citizen. While he has been closely identified with various financial operations, he has not held these for selfish gain, but in the broad sense of a public spirit. In the various institutions and industries which have gone to make up the material growth and prosperity of the city of Spartanburg, Mr. Cofield has always taken a leading part and her citizens have been benefited thereby.

General Hugh Legare Farley

son of Wm. ly. and Phebe M. (Downs) Farley, was born in Laurens, S. C, June 15th, 1844. He received his early education at Laurens Academy and afterwards attended the King's Mountain Institute, and was a cadet in that institution when the war broke out. At the age of sixteen he enlisted as a private in Co. G, 3d Regi- 3511SC ment, S. C. V., and soon after enlistment was made a sergeant of his company, and at the expiration of twelve months' service he was promoted to orderly sergeant of his company, having in the meantime acted as its drill officer. Just before the battle of Fredericksburg he was elected ensign of his company. Beginning with the battle of Gettysburg, he served as adjutant of his regiment, and continued to serve as such until just before the battle of Chickamauga, at which time he was ordered to report to General J. B. Kershaw of McLaw's division, and through the memorable battle that followed he served as staff-officer to General Kershaw, and was sent to Richmond in company with two non-commissioned officers to represent Longstreet's corps to bear the official report of the battle of Chickamauga, and also to convey to the seat of government the colors captured of the enemy in that battle. In this battle he performed brave and gallant service, for which he was recommended for promotion.

Returning from Richmond he rejoined his regiment then before Chattanooga, serving through the winter campaign in East Tennessee, and was wounded before Knoxville.

After the battle of Knoxville he marched with his command to Gordonsville, Va., and was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, where he was shot through the face. Recovering after a time, he took part in the en- gagement at Cold Harbor, and remained with his regiment until Grant invested Richmond and Petersburg. Then, under the recommendation which had been tendered him for promotion, he was transferred to the cavalry division of the Army of Northern Virginia, and was assigned the duty of drilling and organizing the dismounted cavalry of that branch of the army. In this service he acted as adjutant-general of the dismounted corps, remaining there until Sherman reached Savannah, at which time he was ordered to Columbia, S. C, on detached service. On the evacuation of Columbia, General Farley organized a company of scouts and marched in rear of Sherman's army, harassing his outposts, and served in this capacity until the end of the war, reporting in the meantime to General Johnston.

At the close of the war General Farley returned to his home at Laurens, S. C, and was the same winter (1865) chosen reading clerk of the House of Representatives of his native State.

In 1870 he took an active part in the disturbance of that year, which ended in the famous riot at Laurens, caused by the resistance of the people to Radical rule. Though not engaged in the riot, he was arrested, charged with participation therein, and was kept in confinement for two weeks, but was never brought to trial. He then moved to Spartanburg, where he engaged in the service of the Spartanburg, Union and Columbia Railroad for four years. After this he assumed the editorial management of the Carolina Spartan for four years, conducting that paper with marked ability, which embraced the period of the campaign of 1876, and during this time he was a spirited writer and an active canvasser in the campaign of that year.

nominated in a primary election by the people of Spartanburg county for the Legislature, and was elected and served during the sessions of 1882-3.

In 1890 the farmer's movement swept the State and General Farley, as the candidate of that movement, was triumphantly elected adjutant and inspector-general, which office he held for four years. He was subsequently assigned to the work of making up the rolls of Confederate soldiers of South Carolina, but did not live to perfect that important work.

He was never married. His brothers and sisters were : Emma, wife of R. W. Boyd, attorney at law, Darlington, S. C. , now deceased ; Mary, wife of General R. P. Todd, Laurens, S. C, now deceased ; Wm. Downs Farley, independent scout of General J. E. B. Stuart, killed at Brandy Station, who has made a name in history ; Colonel H. S. Farley, an ex-Confederate soldier and professor of military tactics and mathematics at Sing-Sing Military Institute, N. Y., where he has been for many years; and L. E. Farley, a well-known and popular citizen of Spartanburg, who was a representative in the State Legislature from 1890 to '94. Both of the sisters referred to were educated before the civil war at Limestone Springs, under the Drs. Curtis, graduated and received gold medals.

Colonel George Washington Hamilton Legg

was born in Spartanburg county on the 26th of November, 1 814. He was the son of Fortunatus Legg, Esq., a citizen of prominence in his day. The son, after he grew up to manhood, engaged for a time in the mercantile business. He selected the law, however, as a pro-

On the 2 2d of June, 1840, he married to Miss Clemantine S. Kennedy, daughter of Lionel Henry Kennedy of Charleston, S. C, a learned lawyer of that city, who was the grandson of the celebrated Dr. Lionel Chalmers, a nephew of the Duke of Argyle of Scotland. His wife was Miss Mary Ann Jane Stephens, the daughter of J. Henry Stephens, an Englishman born in London, whose mother was a Miss Walpole, relative of Sir Robert Walpole, and whose father was Captain John Stephens of the British navy.

George W. H. Legg from the time he grew up to manhood occupied a position of prominence before the people of Spartanburg. Back in the forties he was postmaster in the town, and dnring his administration occnrred an exciting incident, which possibly never happened in the experience of any other post-office official in the State.

A noted abolitionist from the North appeared in Spartanbnrg district and other places and made some incendiary pnblications which were against the peace and dignity of the vState. It was believed that his purpose was to incite an insurrection among the negroes, and he was accordingly arrested and imprisoned in the jail at Spartanburg, where he was held for a time. He was having an extensive correspondence in and out of the State with persons believed to be in full sympathy and cooperation with his movements, and his mail was addressed to the post-office at Spartanburg.

A public meeting of the citizens of Spartanburg, both of the town and country, was called, and a vigilance committee was appointed, who demanded of Postmaster Legg the possession of the undelivered letters addressed to the individual referred to. This he refused to give, as his instructions from the government were to not '-''deliver letters i?i his possession to any but those to zvhom they are directed or upon order.'' ''

A warrant for his arrest was accordingly issued (August, 1849), which was a purely technical proceeding to which he readily submitted, referring the matter, however, to the postmaster-general of the United States. As this was a conflict between the State and Federal authorities the matter was referred to the attorney-general of the United States. It is needless to say that after a thorough investigation of the facts and the law bearing upon the same. Postmaster Legg was fully sustained for having carried out in good faith what he understood to be his official duty.

-coined, in April, 1856, in behalf of the town, the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, on the occasion of their visit to the battle-field of Cowpens.

He was public-spirited in every sense of the word, and took a lively interest in everything looking to the npbuilding of his town and country. Especially was he -active and interested in the Spartanburg and Union Railroad, and upon its completion to Spartanburg in 1859 he was depot agent at the latter place until the -outbreak of the civil war between the States.

Colonel Legg, although having received no military education or training, was nevertheless an accomplished and graceful commander of military organizations. He was first elected captain over the old Spartanburg Volunteers, and after this was elected major of the lower battalion, 36th Regiment, S. C. M., which office he held for several years. He was subsequently elected the first captain of the Morgan Rifles of Spartanburg, a handsomely uniformed and equipped company, which he commanded for about four years, until within a few months before the outbreak of the civil war, when he was elected colonel of the 36th Regiment, S. C M. Under his call as commander of this regiment the first companies volunteered for the Confederate service. Over one of these companies, Morgan Light Infantry, Colonel Legg was elected captain, but upon the organization of the 5th Regiment, S. C. V., for active service, he was elected lieutenant-colonel, which position he held until the expiration of his term of service. Being well advanced in years, and afflicted with rheumatism, he was forced to retire from the service.

After the close of the war and up to, possibly, the time of his death, which took place on the 15th of May, 1880, he served as one of the trial justices for Spartanburg county. Having read law and been admitted to practice in earlier life, lie was made a referee of some knotty court cases, and it is said his legal opinions were well thought of, and in special cases his views were sought by older lawyers.

As a public servant, whether in a civil or military capacity. Colonel Legg was faithful, honest and trustw^orthy. He was possessed of a kind heart and a magnanimous nature, which every one with whom he was associated felt and appreciated.

By his marriage with Miss Kennedy he had seven children, four of whom are living, occupying important positions. Among the latter we would mention Dr. George Legg of Greenville, and Professor Claude L. I^^g&» president of the Bennett School, a very large public institution in Charleston, S. C. Professor Legg is the youngest son, with whom the surviving widow resides.