USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume V > Part 73
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CHARLES TAYLOR RAWLS. One of the men who have contributed largely to making Asheville a modern city is Hon. Charles Taylor Rawls, who has been identified with many important interests here for the last thirty-five years, has been mayor of the city, and deserves the title of "father of the water-works,"' bestowed by his greatful fellow citizens.
Charles Taylor Rawls was born at Union in Union County, South Carolina, August 23, 1854. His parents were Dr. Benjamin F. and Mary (Rice) Rawls, the former of whom for many years was a prominent physician at Columbia, South Carolina, and the name is well known all over the state.
After careful preparation in private schools and by tutors Charles T. Rawls entered Wofford College and continued there as a student until he was graduated in 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Application to the study of law followed and in 1881 he was graduated from the law depart- ment of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennes- see, with his degree. He returned then to Union, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for two years and then, in 1883, came to Ashe- ville, and this was an equally important event in his life and that of the city. He embarked in the real estate and insurance business here and con- tinued it as an individual business for the succeed- ing ten years. In 1893 he associated himself with Judge E. J. Ashton, who was the oldest business man in this line in the city, having established him- self here in real estate and insurance right after the close of the war between the states in 1865. The new firm soon so expanded its activities, largely through Mr. Rawls' progressive methods, that for a time his every effort was required in its direction and adjustment and he even found it necessary to resign from other business connec- tions, including the directorate of two banks, the American National and the Battery Park Banks, for some time afterward giving his entire atten- tion to insurance.
In the meanwhile, because of his demonstration of public spirit and proof of business capacity, Mr. Rawls became a very popular citizen and he was elected mayor, serving in that office from May, 1903, until May, 1905. When he took over the office it was with the intention of bringing municipal affairs to a thoroughly well organized business basis, and as a beginning he determined to settle the matter during his administration of public utilities. Delegating the work to no one, Mayor Rawls went himself to Raleigh and secured from the Legislature the passage of the bill to
gno & Fowler
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permit the installation of water-works and the present admirable system, known as the Gravity Water Works, was duly installed and now pays to the city the handsome sum of $60,000 annually. Other public improvements of great importance to the health, comfort and safety of the city came to completion during his administration. Since retiring from public office to find time to devote to his large business interests, Mr. Rawls has neg- lected no opportunity to advance the city's interests still further, lending his influence to all worthy enterprises and affording advice founded on experience. He is a valued member of the Asheville Board of Trade.
Mr. Rawls was married October 3, 1909, to Miss Sarah Spence Rorison, who belongs to a prominent old family of North Carolina. They have one son, born October 13, 1913, who has been given his father's honored name.
As a prominent and representative citizen, Mr. Rawls has served in many public capacities, on boards and commissions, at meetings and in con- ventions, being one of the first at all times to head relief movements in times of public calamity but, at the same time, never being forgetful of the needs of the benevolent agencies in his own com- munity. Personally Mr. Rawls is very companion- able and is valued in numerous fraternal bodies to which he belongs and the stranger finds that his pride in Asheville and what she is accomplish- ing, through the united efforts of her able citi- zens, is entirely justifiable.
FRANKLIN MCNEILL. By a large and varied practice in all the courts of North Carolina during a period of more than forty years, by his service in various positions of trust and responsibility, and by his many business interests, Franklin Mc- Neill would readily be accepted on any basis of judgment as one of the foremost citizens of North Carolina.
He was born in Scotland County, North Carolina, January 4, 1850, a son of Maj. John and Eliza- beth (Buchanan) McNeill. His father was a farmer and planter. The son was reared during the troublous times of the Civil war decade, but none the less was given good advantages both at home and in school. He attended Davidson Col- lege two years and then studied law in the Uni- versity of Virginia and under Chief Justice R. M. Pearson. He was admitted to the bar in Jan- uary, 1873, and since then has seldom allowed any interests to interfere with his private practice, ex- cept during the time he was chairman of the cor- poration commission. He practiced for some years at Lumberton, later at Rockingham in Richmond County, then at Wilmington, and since January, 1913, at Raleigh.
Mr. McNeill was elected in 1899 and served as chairman of the corporation commission until 1913, and for two terms, eight years, he held the office of solicitor of the Seventh Judicial District, com- prising eight counties. He was elected to that office in 1886. He has long been one of the lead- ing democrats of the state. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh and is a trustee of the Peace Institute.
Aside from his professional interests Mr. Mc- Neill has kept himself in close touch with the agri- cultural situation in his native state, and he is the owner of some progressive farms in Scotland, Wake and Cumberland counties. On August 2, 1882. Mr. McNeill married Miss Jennie Elliott, of Cumberland County.
Vol. V-18
HON. JOHN EDGAR FOWLER. A lawyer of many prominent connections at Clinton, and well known over the state, John Edgar Fowler has figured prominently in public affairs, is a former Con- gressman, and in many ways has used his influence for the good of the community of North Carolina in general.
His parents were farmers in Sampson County and he was born on their place September 8, 1866, son of Miles Batey and Mary (Herring) Fowler. Mr. Fowler was educated in the public schools, the Salem High School, and from there entered Wake Forest College. After his literary course he took up the study of law in the Univer- sity of North Carolina, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. In twenty-three years he has built up an extensive practice at Clinton, and his suc- cessful work in connection with important litiga- tion has made his name increasingly known over the state.
Mr. Fowler was elected a member of the State Senate in 1895 and served one term. He was elected as a member of the Fifty-fifth Congress and served with credit in that body. During 1905- 06 he was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and outside of his work as a legislator he has done much for the benefit of other institutions. He is a trustee of the State Normal School by appointment from Governor Carr and is a former president of the Sampson County Fair Association. In 1916 he was presidential elector at large from North Carolina. He is member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the Masonic Order.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF GASTONIA is a financial institution that has been maintained and has wrought its service and influence into the inner fabric of the life and industries of its home city. It was established when Gastonia was a humble and unpretentious village, and it has grown with the expansion of its environment un- til the bank is now chief among the institutions of one of the leading cotton manufacturing cities of North Carolina. The bank has proved the finan- cial bulwark of the large industries that surround it and at the same time has given its service and accommodation without discrimination to all the people.
It is one of the strongest banks in the South, with a capital stock of $150,000, surplus of $150,- 000 and deposits aggregating above $1,500,000. Its officers and directors are men not only of financial weight and importance but are active, energetic business men of Gastonia, closely iden- tified with the commercial and industrial affairs of the city and county. There is no dead timber in the bank and its personnel and resources are as substantial as the structure in which it is housed. The president of the bank is Mr. L. L. Jenkins, the vice president is J. Lee Robinson, and the cashier Mr. Samuel N. Boyce. Mr. Boyce and Mr. J. Lee Robinson are the active managers of the institution and two of the most widely known bankers of the state.
In August, 1917, the First National Bank moved into its new home, a magnificent seven story office building on Main Avenue adjoining the Fed- eral Building. This structure is a splendid ex- ample of modern commercial architecture and mod . ern construction. It is not only a very beautiful building but of the most durable and substantial material. As the most imposing piece of archi- tecture in Gastonia and one of the finest in the
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state, it is appropriate to tell something of this building, and for that purpose the architects, the firm of Wilson & Somipayrac of Columbia, South Carolina, have furnished data from which the following descriptive paragraphs are taken.
The building, occupying a lot 30 by 100 feet depth, is seven stories' in height, of very simple lines, with chaste, well placed detail, and while by no means ornate or striking fits in with its environment in a most natural and pleasing man- ner. The base is of white granite, the first story limestone, and the upper stories of fire flashed buff brick with terra cotta trimmings. The gen- eral color scheme is one of quiet harmony within itself and with its surroundings rather than of striking contrast, so that the building seems to have grown on this spot and to belong there.
There is a full basement under the entire build- ing. The ground floor and rear mezzanine are occupied entirely by the bank. The top floor is occupied by the Gastonia Commercial Club, while the intermediate floors above the banking room are divided into handsome offices.
The building is of a high type of fireproof con- struction, with a steel skeleton frame thoroughly protected with masonry. The floor and roof slabs are of reinforced concrete and the partitions of gypsum block and hollow tile. The building is also protected by a standpipe connected with the city mains and also with a connection for steam fire engine in the street. In recognition of the high class construction and equipment, a lower insurance rate has been obtained than upon any other building in the Carolinas. The plumbing and sanitary arrangements are of the highest class, the heating is by steam with automatic con- trol of temperature, and the illumination is by electricity, chiefly from semi-indirect fixtures.
The private offices of the bank are elaborately finished in beautifully figured mahogany and with polished parquetry floors. The directors' room on the mezzanine floor has the walls paneled to the full height in mahogany, a deeply paneled plaster ceiling and polished parquetry floor. This room also contains a large open fireplace, with dull blue tile facing and mahogany mantel, and the center of this room is occupied by a massive directors' table of carved mahogany.
The banking room is of the full width of the building and extends from the entrance vestibule and elevators to a depth of about fifty feet and is two stories in height. It is beautiful and artistic in the extreme. The floor is of Tennessee marble with a gray field and deep brown border. The walls are lined to a height of sixteen feet with highly polished Famosa marble, finishing with an imposing cornice. The bank counter, check desks and settees are of the same material. Famosa marble is of a soft light golden brown tone, very richly figured and takes a beautiful polish. This marble comes from Germany and has been used in this country only in the most expensive buildings. The bank was fortunate in finding in New York just enough for this build- ing, and no more will be available until after the war. The slabs at the cashiers' and tellers' win- dows are made of a rare Belgium marble of al- most black tint, there being plainly visible on the surface of the slabs various small and quaint outlines of stars, quarter moons and other stel- lar objects. How Nature provided these myster- ious designs in this enduring marble cannot be conjectured. The ceiling is of vaulted arches, beautifully executed in Caen stone. In one of the
Caen stone wall panels opposite the entrance and twenty feet above the floor is a handsome clock with a three-foot dial of Greek Skyros marble and hands and numerals of bronze. The bank screen is an airy, but rich, design executed in cast bronze with bevelled plate glass panels. The principal lighting of this room is indirect from bulbs and reflectors concealed behind the cornice, but there are six elaborate semi-direct chandeliers, well disposed both for illumination and architec- tural effects.
Immediately back of the banking room are three vaults, two of which are burglar proof, with one and a half inch linings of five ply chrome steel and doors twelve inches thick with combination and time locks. The money vault is equipped with heavy steel locks, one of which is burglar proof, and the safe deposit vault with 500 steel lock boxes of various sizes, The approach to the bank and elevators from Main Avenue is through a handsome revolving door of bronze and plate glass and a vestibule elaborately finished in the same rich marble as that in the banking room.
SAMUEL N. BOYCE, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Gastonia, and active manager of the institution which is one of the most substan- tial of its kind in that part of the state, has for many years been identified with business affairs.
He was born in Gaston County in 1865, a son of Rev. E. E. and Rachel (McElwee) Boyce. His father, who died in 1902, was a lifelong minister of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church. Forty-three years of his ministry were given to one charge, Pisgah Church in Gaston County. This is an historic church and the oldest in Gas- ton County. Reverend Mr. Boyce was a member of one of the old Scotch-Irish families of Mecklen- burg County and was born in that county near Charlotte, but from early youth his home was in Gaston County. He was educated in Washing- ton and in Jefferson College in Virginia and en- tered the ministry of the Associate Reformed Pres- byterian Church when a young man. Boyce Memorial Church at King's Mountain was named in his honor. His life was one of singular purity of character and of utmost devotion to his fellow men and the cause of religion. He ministered unto others with a consistency of purpose and a loftiness of ideal that made him one of the most beloved of men. And while his life belonged to the church and his fellow men, it is remark- able, notwithstanding the meager salaries paid old time ministers, that he reared a fine family of six children and sent four of them through college.
Samuel N. Boyce acquired most of his educa- tion in Captain Bell's famous military school at King's Mountain. On le: ving school he took up a business career as bookkeeper in the Mauney Brothers store at King's Mountain, and later worked in a similar capacity for Brown & Wed- dington Hardware Company at Charlotte. For two years he was connected with a cotton firm at Greenville, South Carolina, and following that he took charge of the offices of the McAden Mills at McAdenville in Gaston County, and had a responsible part in that industrial institution until after eleven years he was called into the service of the First National Bank at Gastonia. He en- tered this bank in 1900, and by promotion rose to his present position as cashier and active man- ager.
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Mr. Boyce is married and he aud his wife have a family of children in wnom they can properly take much pride. Kathleen, the oldest, is the wife of P. W. Garland. James S. Boyce, the oldest son, is now secretary and treasurer of the Na- tional Realty Company. Ruth is the wife of R. G. Rankin and Lucy the wife of C. D. Welch. The youngest son, Capt. E. E. Boyce, twenty-one years old, is with the National Army as captain of Field Artillery and saw active service on the Mexican border before entering training for the present World war.
ROBERT EDGAR CURRENCE. Entirely apart from any personal interest he may have in such enter- prises except that general prosperity means indi- vidual opportunity, every intelligent, thinking, sensible man knows well that closely related to the financial institutions in a community is the latter 's growth and development. In fact, largely on the banking facilities rests the entire fabric of com- mercial prosperity. From the beginning of its history Asheville has had its financial institutions and many honorable names have' been identified with them through all the passing years and age, and solidity still claim confidence. But, in a rapidly expanding section such as Asheville has become more banks are needed so that the increas- ing volume of business may be expedited, and recognition of this condition led to the organiza- tion of the Southern State Bank, of which Robert Edgar Currence, of wide banking experience, is president.
Robert Edgar Currence was born on his father's estate in York County, South Carolina, January 2, 1885. His parents are James Franklin and Lorenna Bars (Adams) Currence. He attended the public schools in York County and his entrance into business was as a clerk in a railroad office at Gastonia, North Carolina. Later he became identified with the Southern Cotton Oil Company in a clerical capacity and continued with that important business organization for three years. He then entered the First National Bank of Gas- tonia as bookkeeper, and for three years remained with that institution.
About this time Mr. Currence came to Asheville and shortly afterward entered the American Na- tional Bank as assistant cashier, in which capacity he proved an efficient official and made many friends among the bank's patrons. Having a laudable ambition, however, to get into business for himself, and recognizing the favorable op- portunity then offered at Asheville, Mr. Currence became the prime mover in the organization of the Southern State Bank in 1914. Of this insti- tution he served as cashier until 1916, when he was elected president. Well organized, with a large amount of available capital interested and most efficiently officered, this institution already has become a prominent business factor and is ranked with the most stable financial institutions in the state.
Mr. Currence was married June 1, 1911, to Miss Clyde Smith, who was born at Marion in Marion County, South Carolina, belonging to an old and prominent family of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Currence have four children, namely: Robert Franklin, Eugene Edgar, Harvey Nathaniel and Martha Lorenna.
While markedly diligent in business, Mr. Cur- rence finds time to give attention also to civic affairs and social interests, fulfiling every obli-
gation with the care and sincerity that character- izes his business life. He has long been identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has reached the Thirty-Second degree, and is past master of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118, Aucient Free & Accepted Masons, at Asheville.
FELIX M. MCKAY. Harnett County, North Caro- lina, suffers from no lack of substantial and able men and one who takes a prominent place among these is Hon. Felix M. Mckay, formerly a mem- ber of the State Legislature, manager of the famous Erwin farm, and a member of the Harnett County Exemption Board.
Felix M. Mckay was born at Old Summerville in Harnett County, North Carolina, June 4, 1865. His parents were Neill and Josephine (Cranor) McKay. His paternal grandfather was Archibald Mckay, who was a brother of the noted Presby- terian minister, Rev. Dr. Neill Mckay, famous for his scholarship and for his interest and en- dowment of Davidson College, which continues a noted seat of learning. The Mckays are of High- land Scotch stock who were pioneers in the Cape Fear country in North Carolina.
Neill Mckay, father of Felix M. Mckay, was an eminent lawyer in Harnett County and he engaged in the practice of law all his life although he lived on his plantation and overlooked his farm indus- tries. For several years he was solicitor for the Superior Court in the judicial district that em- braced Harnett County. His death occurred before his son Felix M. reached manhood.
Felix M. Mckay was thirteen years old when his father bought and developed a plantation, Raven Rock, situated nine miles above Lillington, and here he remained after the death of his father, giving his mother assistance in caring for several younger children. His education was obtained in the Jonesboro High School and Old Summerville Academy, the latter being then under the presi- dency of Col. J. A. Cameron, one of the finest edu- cators of his day. In his early twenties Mr. McKay ventured into the mercantile business at Angier, and the enterprise proved successful under his management.
Intelligently interested in politics from early manhood, Mr. McKay in 1894 was elected on the republican ticket to the office of clerk of the Supe- rior Court of Harnett County and served four years. In 1901 W. A. Erwin of Durham, North Carolina, completed his plans for establishing a large, modern cotton mill and the building of a mill village in the southeast part of Harnett County, the new town to be called Duke. Upon Mr. Erwin's advice, Mr. McKay came to the site of the new town and established the first postoffice on October 21, 1901, and has lived here ever since, purchasing land near Duke and engaging in farm- ing. He served as postmaster of the village from 1903 until 1914. In the republican landslide of the latter year he was elected to the State Legislature, with a majority of 373 votes over his democratic opponent, the highest majority ever recorded by a candidate of his party in the county. His public services at Raleigh were creditable in every way. In December, 1917, he was appointed a member of the exemption board of the county, and its chair- man, and in this as in every other public office with which he has been entrusted his duties are well understood and faithfully performed.
In November, 1900, Mr. Mckay was married to Miss Mary Green, of Lillington, and they have
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three children: Stewart Green, who is a student in Fishburn Military Academy, at Waynesboro; and Mary and Neill.
During the years that Mr. Mckay has lived at Duke he has acted as agent for Mr. Erwin in the purchase of lands and has attended to the clearing of the same. One of these properties is the famous Erwin farm at Duke, containing about 1,200 acres, which is considered one of the finest and most productive in the South. His agricultural enter- prises include two experimental farms which are large producers of cotton, corn, wheat, oats, fine stock, fruit and poultry. On December 1, 1916, Mr. Erwin appointed Mr. MeKay superintendent of his farming interests, a position that he is filling with his usual ability and success while addition- ally carrying on his own farm activities.
RUFUS YOUNG MCPHERSON chose his vocation in life at an early age. He entered the life insur- ance field in December, 1892, and for years has stood among the foremost representatives of that business in the entire state of North Carolina. His position among his associates is well indicated by the fact that he has served as president of the North Carolina Underwriters Association.
Mr. McPherson was born in Mooresville, North Carolina, December 25, 1867, a son of Robert and Jane E. (Templeton) McPherson. His father spent many years in the flour milling business. Mr. McPherson attended private schools in his early youth, and in 1890 was graduated from Davidson College. His first occupation on leaving school was teaching, but after three years he took up the work for which his talents and inclinations best fitted him, and he has given every one of the subsequent twenty-three years in the vigorous and successful prosecution of his work. In January, 1909, Mr. McPherson established or became the general agent in North Carolina for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, and his firm of McPherson & Barnes now constitutes one of the leading agencies in the state. His business as- sociate is Rowlet E. Barnes.
Mr. McPherson is a member of the Capital and Country clubs of Raleigh, the Y. M. C. A., the Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Pythias, he is a democrat in politics, and is a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church.
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