USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 65
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Resigning his connections at Baltimore in Jan- uary, 1891, Doctor Smith took the chair of history and political science in William Jewell College
at Liberty, Missouri. He remained with that in- stitution for fourteen years until he resigned in 1905 to accept the presidency of Mercer Univer- sity at Macon, Georgia. While in Missouri Doctor Smith did pioneer work as a university extension lecturer. Doctor Smith remained at Mercer Uni- versity during the year 1905-06. That year was marked by a large increase in the college endow- ment, the securing of new buildings, and excep- tional prosperity for the institution as a whole. He resigned the presidency of Mercer and returned to his native state where he became identified with important business interests.
Since 1906 a resident of Raleigh, Doctor Smith has been a member and is now president of the Edwards & Broughton Printing Company, state printers and publishers. Along with his regular duties he has always been identified with many other important interests. In 1901 he was Gay lecturer in the Southern Baptist Theological Sem- inary. He has contributed many articles and re- views to periodicals and is author of "The History of Education in North Carolina, "' and a number of monographs. In 1909 Governor W. W. Kitchin appointed him a member of the Library Commission of North Carolina, which was created by act of that year's Legislature and he is now treasurer and member of its executive committee. He was a member of the administrative council of the Southern History Association from 1897 to 1907; is uow a trustee and a member of the executive committee of the University of North Carolina, a member of the advisory board of the North Caro- lina Booklet, a member of the board of managers of the North Carolina Society Sons of the Revo- lution, chairman of the Raleigh Municipal Recrea- tion Commission, and vice chairman of the Wake County Committee for War Service.
October 24, 1889, at High Point, North Caro- lina, Doctor Smith married Sallie Lindsay, daugh- ter of Dr. William Oliver and Elizabeth Clay (Lindsay) Jones. They are the parents of four children : Howell Lindsay, William Oliver, Kather- ine Clark and Charles Lee Smith, Jr.
HENRY FAISON PEIRCE is a business man of Warsaw. His active career began less than twenty years ago but by experience and the utilization of widening opportunities he has placed himself in the front rank of the men of efficiency and leadership in Duplin County.
Mr. Peirce was born in Duplin County Sep- tember 12, 1874. He is a son of Thomas Buckner and Sallie Eliza (Faison) Peirce. His father for a number of years has been a manufacturer of fruit and vegetable packages. The son was well educated, attending the Faison public schools and the schools at Scotland Neck, and later entered the University of North Carolina, where he was graduated in 1898. He also had training in busi- ness colleges. For several years Mr. Peirce was associated with his father as superintendent of the package factory. During 1901-02 he was in the hardware business under the firm name of H. F. Peirce Hardware Company, and on selling out his interests in that line he organized in 1903 the Bank of Warsaw, of which he has been cashier for fourteen years.
In addition to banking Mr. Peirce is president of the Warsaw Prize Warehouse Company, a tobacco warehouse concern, deals extensively in real estate in both city and country, in fire in- surance, and represents the Atlantic Life Insurance Company. He is also secretary and treasurer of
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the M. K. Moore Tobacco Company, a stemming company, and is district representative and dis- tributing agent for the Briscoe Automobile and Knickerbocker Tractor and local agent for the Stewart Truck.
Mr. Peirce is alderman of Warsaw and is now treasurer of the City School Fund and the Road Fund and secretary and treasurer of the Town of Warsaw. He is a deacon in the Presbyterian Church and fraternally is affiliated with the Ma- sonic Lodge, Sepia Grotto of Master Masons, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics. He is president of the Nahunga Country Club.
Mr. Peirce was married September 6, 1899, to Miss Annie Saunders Noel, of Lexington, Mis- sissippi.
JULIUS F. MILLER is descended from one of the oldest families in Western North Carolina, and the better part of his active career has been spent at Rural Hall in Forsyth County, where he now resides and near where he was born. He has al- ways kept himself in close touch with the growth and development of his native county, and at dif- ferent times has participated in public affairs.
His ancestry goes back several generations to Jacob Miller, who was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Jacob came to North Caro- lina with the party which made the survey for the Moravian land grant. He, himself entered 400 acres of land in what is now Bethania Township, Forsyth County, but soon afterward returned to Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of his life. In his will he gave the North Carolina land to his son, Jacob Miller, Jr.
This son Jacob, great-grandfather of Julius, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and came to North Carolina to occupy and improve the property inherited from his father. In this work he spent the rest of his life. His widow sub- sequently married Henry Kreeger, who was a Revo- lutionary soldier, and who was present at the battle of King's Mountain, being a member of the first attacking party.
John Benjamin Miller, son of Jacob Miller, Jr., and grandfather of Julius, was born two miles north of Bethania, and being the only child of his parents he inherited the old homestead, the culti- vation and improvement of which he directed all his active life. He had a number of slaves, and was one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of that community. He married Elizabeth Shore, a daughter of John Shore, both of whom were natives of Forsyth County, where the Shore family located in previous generations. Elizabeth (Shore) Miller died in middle life, and John Ben- jamin afterward married Martha Hill Davis. By the first marriage there were four children, Wil- liam, Solomon A., Paulina and Lydia, and the children of the second marriage were John T., Robert J., and Elizabeth.
Solomon A. Miller, son of John B. Miller and Elizabeth (Shore) Miller, was born near Rural Hall October 22, 1828. After reaching manhood he bought a part of the old homestead, aud later a portion of the Null farm. He followed general farming until his death in 1897. He married Almira Null, who was born in Bethania Township. She was the daughter of John Null, Jr., and Frances (Bennett) Null. She died in 1913. Her three children were: Julius Francis, Sarah Eliza- beth, and Martha Anne.
Julius F. Miller as a boy attended a school at Bethania taught by Prof. A. I. Butner. At the age of sixteen he left school and found a clerkship in a general store at Salem. After two years he returued to Bethauia and resumed his studies uuder Professor Butuer. After his education was com- pleted he was clerk iu a store at Bethania for six years, and theu built a flour mill near that place. He continued the operation of this industry until 1891, when he removed to Rural Hall, where he was instrumental in promoting a general store and later a roller flouring mill, the latter of which he managed for many years. For the past several years he has giveu his time entirely to the sale of agricultural implements.
Mr. Miller was married in 1882 to Ellen C. Lash, who was boru uear Bethania, daughter of Thomas B. and Wilhelmina (Stoltz) Lash. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children: Frank T., who married Louise Davis, and Lillian A., who married Robt. M. Cox. Mr. Miller has one grandchild, Frank T. Miller, Jr.
He cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant, and has interested himself in public affairs since that time. A number of years ago he was elected to the office of registrar of deeds of For- syth County and gave a very exact and competent administration of that office.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Chris- tian Church.
JOHN SPRUNT HILL. In every state and iu every generation a few names gain common currency of recognition and appreciation, whether it be in the halls of Legislature, the crowded marts of trade, or the isolated villages and the remote and lonely farms. Such a name in North Carolina today is that of John Sprunt Hill of Durham. While he has had a busy and active career for over twenty years, Mr. Hill is just now in the prime of his life and usefulness, and while it is to be hoped that the final estimate of his work must be deferred many years, it is a distinction such as few of his con- temporaries can enjoy that his record contains so many elements of value and achievement. He is known as "the father of rural credits in North Carolina, " and with special reference to this pains- taking achievement with which he is credited Prof. E. C. Branson, of the Chair of Rural Economics: in the University of North Carolina, recently pre- pared an article on the career of Mr. Hill from which practically all that follows is taken with only such modifications as the purposes of the present publication seem to prescribe.
He was born on a farm near the village of Faison, Duplin County, North Carolina, March 17, 1869. His father, William E. Hill, a prominent lawyer and land owner of Duplin County, was the son of General William Lanier Hill, a native of Brunswick County, Virginia, and Anne Dudley, sister of Gov. Edward B. Dudley, and grand- daughter of Col. Christopher Dudley of Onslow County, a prominent ship builder and large landed proprietor, whose record of service in Revolutionary times is frequently mentioned in the colonial records of North Carolina. John Sprunt Hill's mother was Frances Diana Faison, daughter of Isham Faison and Sallie Thompson, both of whom were lineally descended from Henrick Fayson van Doverack of York County, Virginia, the original ancestor of the Faison family in this country, who was of French Hugueuot and Dutch descent and who was naturalized by Act of the Joint Assembly of Virginia, September 24, 1672. A few years prior
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John Spring Hill
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to the Revolutionary war James and Elias and Henry Faison, great-great-grandsous of the first Faison ancestor, moved from Northampton Couuty, North Carolina, to Duplin County, aud took out patents on large tracts of land near the present Village of Faison. James Faison served with dis- tinction as captain in the Patriot army, and Henry Faison, grandfather of Frances Faison, served as a private.
As a boy John Sprunt Hill showed great apti- tude for study and for work, and at the early age of twelve had completed the entire course of study provided by the Faison High School. Being too young to enter college, he secured a position as clerk in a large country store, where he was em- ployed for nearly four years, during which time he acquired a knowledge of business that in after years proved of immense value to him. During these four years of service as a country merchant he devoted his leisure hours to study and to the reading of all kinds of books. Upon this prepara- tion, as meager as it was unusual, he entered the freshman class of the university in the fall of 1885.
As a student, says his biographer, he was ex- ceedingly active in all phases of college life, and rapidly rose to a position of leadership in college activities. His meager preparation for college seriously handicapped him during the first two years of his college career, but by close application and tireless energy, step by step, he overcame all the difficulties that lay in his pathway to college honors. At the end of his four years' course he succeeded in sharing with another classmate the highest honors of his class.
During the succeeding two years he taught private and public schools at his old home in Duplin County, and quickly attracted the attenion of prom- inent educators by reason of his original methods of teaching and by virtue of his strong advocacy of educational progress. His deep interest in edu- cation dates from his early experience as a teacher.
He re-entered the university for study of law at the fall term of 1891. After completing the year's work in the law school he determined to leave the home of his birth and seek his fortune in New York City, where he was soon tendered a scholarship in law at Columbia University. He was graduated from this great institution with the degree LL. B. in June, 1894. The month previous he had been admitted to the bar of the State of New York, and soon began practice on his own account, establish- ing the well known metropolitan law firm of Hill, Stureke & Andrews, which enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. During his practice of law in New York he became a member of the New York Bar Association, Brick Presbyterian Church, Na- tional Democratic Club, Reform Club, Colonial Club, and many other social and military organiza- tions.
Immediately after the declaration of war with Snain he volunteered as a private in Troop A of New York Cavalry, and served with distinction as a cavalryman throughout the Porto Rican cam- paign. It was only after he had become well estab- lished in his profession that he was drawn into an active part in democratic politics in the metropolis. In the fall of 1900 he consented to become a can- didate for Congress in the Fourteenth Congres- sional District, which was heavily republican. He accented the nomination on the condition that he should bo allowed to run the campaign on his own platform and according to his independent methods, and he introduced such fire and enthusiasm into
his work that he probably received as much atten- tion from the metropolitan press as auy other single candidate in that year. While it was a foregone conclusion that he could not overcome the normal republican majority, he surprised eveu his most ardent friends by running thousands of votes ahead of his ticket and all but winning the election. More- over, his candidacy was publicly commended by some of the greatest democrats of the day, and from that time forward he was a marked mau and conspicuous as manager of several campaigns in New York City.
On November 29, 1899, Mr. Hill married Miss Annie Louise Watts, daughter of George W. Watts of Durham, reference to whom is made on other pages. For four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hill lived in New York City, and in Sep- tember, 1903, they returned to Durham, North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have three children, George Watts Hill, born September 27, 1901; Laura Valinda Hill, born January 12, 1905; and Frances Faison Hill, born October 14, 1908.
In June, 1903, a few months before returning to his native state, Mr. Hill delivered the alumni ad- dress at the University of North Carolina on the "Needs of the University." Several thousand copies of this address were printed and distributed. Professor Branson calls attention to the fact that this address was the first great public plea for the splendid library and for the Y. M. C. A. Building that now adorns the campus of the university, and it was also the first plea for a post-graduate de- partment, which is now thoroughly organized and has reflected great credit upon the university.
On locating at Durham Mr. Hill began his career of business and political activity in his native state. He proceeded at once to organize a large trust company, of which he is now president, and a savings bank, of which he is vice president and general manager. As a banker he made service his watchword, and sought as his constant aim to be an upbuilder of the community, not a loan shark and a parasite. He put his ideas into execution, and all of his great banking business in Durham was built up on those principles. He believed also in the democratization of credit. His savings bank has always cultivated the business of people of small means, and has kept the deposits of these people at work building homes for and lending credit to thousands of people of small means in his community.
Avowedly without any political ambition, John Sprunt Hill has entered actively into every political campaign in his adopted home, and has played an important part in practically every election, espe- cially those involving great moral issues, educa- tional advancement and public improvement. He be- came an ardent advocate of prohibition, an untiring worker for education, and a fearless champion of the rights of the people of small means of his county and state. As Professor Brandon says: "He dearly loves a fight-and he is always found on the firing line. He thrives best on opposition. He unfurls his flag to the breeze and boldly defies his adversaries. Any campaign that he conducts soon becomes a crusade. Easy to approach, fear- less in manner and direct in speech, he is a strong partisan, but full of sympathy and always gen- uinely democratic.
"A study of his character and of his career re- veals in a marked degree many of the elements so characteristic of the old aristocracy of the Old South and of the new democracy of the New South. Into this harmonious whole are carefully combined
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capacity for leadership, intelligence, imagination, courage and independence on the one hand, with industry, adaptability, resourcefulness, sympathy and enterprise on the other."
A lifelong student of literature and history, one who has accomplished valuable work in genealogical and historical research, Mr. Hill's interests have brought him into active touch with educational institutions and especially have enabled him to render important service as a trustee of the uni- versity. In planning the construction of the library building at the University of North Carolina, it was largely due to his influence that a special room was set aside for the collection of all kinds of his- torical information pertaining to North Carolina and the preservation and continued growth of the North Caroliniana was made sure by him through a liberal endowment.
Some of his talent for constructive work is happily illustrated in his beautiful suburban resi- dence at Durham known as "Hill House." It is surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds, and the whole is a monument to his ability as an archi- tect and builder. While so much immersed in prac- tical affairs, Mr. Hill has always been a deep lover of nature. Every kind of plant life claims his deepest interest, especially the plants and trees in the forests. He is a fellow of the American Geographical Society, a member of the Geological Board of North Carolina, a member of the Ameri- can Forestry Association, and of the North Caro- lina Forestry Association. He helped to represent our country as a delegate to the last International Congress of Foresters at Paris.
In the opinion of Professor Brandon the crown- ing achievement of his career has been in connec- tion with developing the rural credit system in North Carolina, and of that great work the words of Professor Branson must be allowed to speak in detail.
"Having for years been an enthusiastic advocate of the economic principle of cooperation, he volun- teered to represent his state as a member of the American Commission that visited the European countries in the spring of 1913, to examine the sys- tems of cooperative finance, cooperative production and cooperative marketing that have so completely revolutionized agricultural conditions in these countries. This commission was composed of about 100 representative persons from thirty-six states of the American Union and from six provinces of Canada, to all of whom John Sprunt Hill was a stranger. But a few days on ship board, spent in conference and discussion, was sufficient to force this young son of the Old North State to the front ranks of this great body of leading men and women, and he became their unanimous choice for chairman of their committee on 'Rural Credits,' the investi- gation of which subject was to be the chief work of the Commission in Europe. For months and monthis his splendid capacity for leadership, his tireless energy, and his strong mental powers were all subjected to the greatest possible tension. At the end of this great work that secured, for the benefit of the whole world, a tremendous amount of first-hand information of incalculable value, it was the opinion publicly expressed by many members of the Commission that no one circumstance con- tributed more to the success of the Commission than its choice for chairman of its committee on rural credits.
"Having thoroughly examined with his own eyes the workings of the cooperative institutions of Europe, Mr. Hill returned to his home with a clear
understanding of those great institutions, and with a burning zeal to plant similar enterprises in his own state and in his own country. He promptly laid his plans for an active propaganda in behalf of the principle of organized self help as applied to agricultural finance, production and distribution. His first public address on the subject of 'Coopera- tion and the Work of the American Commission in Europe' was delivered before the State Conven- tion of Farmers assembled at Raleigh, in August, 1913. Many thousand copies of this address were printed and widely distributed over our state and throughout the country. It attracted a great deal of attention at home and abroad because of its clear, clean-cut enunciation of the fundamental principles underlying successful cooperative work in agriculture.
"This address was followed by an address be- fore the Southern Educational Association at Louis- ville, Kentucky, in April, 1914, on 'Land Mortgage Credit Associations,' which, for the first time in our great Southland, set forth a full and complete plan for bringing long-term credit, repayable on the installment plant at low rates of interest, to the door of the Southern farmer, by means of the formation of local cooperative land mortgage asso- ciations federated into great central land mortgage banks. This address was widely distributed and received much favorable comment from students of agricultural economics, and persons interested in this great subject, many of whom were members of Congress.
"In August, 1915, before the State Convention of Farmers at Raleigh, North Carolina, Mr. Hill de- livered his address on 'Rural Credits' which cov- ered not only the subject of land mortgage credit for Southern farmers, but also set forth a con- structive plan for the formation of Farmers' Co- operative Credit Unions to provide short-term credit to small farmers for raising crops, at six per cent. interest, and proposed to abolish in North Car- olina the iniquitous crop lien system which has proven such a curse to the small farmers of the South.
"Probably no person in our country contributed more firsthand information pertaining to the land ' mortgage business of a practical and adaptable kind than did John Sprunt Hill during these few months of his work. His testimony before the Joint Sub-Committee on Banking and Currency of the Senate and House of Representatives, on the land mortgage business, and his long series of printed addresses upon this subject, and upon the problems of short-term credit, soon qualified him as an expert upon the subject of Rural Credits, not only in his own state but throughout the country.
"Largely through his efforts the Legislature of North Carolina, in 1915, unanimously passed the Credit Union Act, which was drafted almost en- tirely by him, and which sets forth a complete and workable plan for bringing the great blessings of short-term credit, at low rates of interest, to the doors of the small farmers of North Carolina. The wisdom of the legislative act, which has been pro- nounced 'one of the greatest pieces of construc- tive legislation ever enacted in North Carolina,' has already been fully demonstrated. Just a few months after the passage of the Act the first Credit Union, under the personal direction of John Sprunt Hill, was established at Lowe's Grove, Dur- ham county. Although several states had previ- ously passed Rural Credits legislation, they proved dead letters and no real Credit Unions, for the
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benefit of the farmers of a neighborhood, were established in this county under legislative act until the organization of the Lowe's Grove Credit Union under the Credit Union Law of North Carolina. In rapid succession many other Credit Unions have been established in other parts of the state, all of which have demonstrated their tre- mendous usefulness. It is the Credit Union which opens wide the door of hope for the triumphant march of agriculture, and for the thorough amélioration of the condition of the small farmers of North Carolina.
"The inspiration that brought the establishment of these Credit Unions, and a great deal of the actual work of organizing and starting them off for business, can be traced directly to the great unselfish work of John Sprunt Hill, who has al- ready been justly named the 'Father of Rural Credits in North Carolina.' "'
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