USA > South Carolina > History of South Carolina > Part 32
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In July, 1918, he again volunteered his services to the Medical Corps of the United States Army, re- porting on August Ist, and being assigned to duty at Fort Oglethorpe in the Medical Officers' Training School. There he was appointed an instructor in riding, drilling, and in other branches. Later he was transferred to Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas, and put in charge of the laboratory in the Base Hospital, where he had special opportunity for work along his chosen line in medical science. He was kept on duty there until August, 1919, when he was dis- charged. Dr. Price is a member of the State and American Medical associations.
He married Miss Ruth Gregg, of Florence County. She is a member of the historic Gregg family which included the late Bishop Gregg and General Maxcy Gregg. Dr. and Mrs. Price have one son, William Herbert, Jr. Dr. Price is a member of Solomon Lodge No. 1,-Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.
JAMES WILLIS ROTHROCK is undoubtedly one of the best known and most influential factors in the agricultural life of Anderson County. This is due not only to the example of his individual achieve- ments as a farmer, but also to the fact that for several years he was county agricultural demon- stration agent.
Mfr. Rothrock was born in Abbeville County
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July 19, 1856, son of John and Lucinda (Arnold) Rothrock. He was one of ten children, five of whom are still living. An older brother Hart Roth- rock was a Confederate soldier and died at Point Lookout. John Rothrock was born in Winston- Salem, North Carolina, in 1815, of Dutch ancestry, his people coming to the Carolinas from Virginia. John Rothrock moved to South Carolina in 1835 at the age of twenty-one, settling in Cokesbury then in Abbeville County, where he spent the rest of his life as a practical farmer. Ile died in 1896 at the age of eight-one. His wife was born in Abbeville County of Scotch-Irish ancestry and was a daughter of Hart Arnold. Her birthplace origi- nally was in Abbeville County, now Greenwood County.
James Willis Rothrock grew up on his father's farm in Abbeville County and had a high school education. When he started out he chose farming and has never deviated from that ancient and honor- able occupation. Since the fall of 1880 he has been a resident of Anderson County and from his fields has gathered nearly forty consecutive crops. He was appointed county agricultural demonstration agent in the fall of 1907, and during the next seven years performed an invaluable work in counseling and co-operating with his fellow farmers in a gen- eral effort to raise the standard of production and quality.
Mr. Rothrock is a Master Mason and in the Woodmen of the World has served fourteen years as a clerk of his camp. He is a Methodist and a prominent layman, having served his church in all the offices in the gift of the church and is now on the board of district stewards of the Anderson district, South Carolina. In 1870 he married Miss Floride Darracott, a native of Anderson County. They have a family of seven children: John H., Marvin, Thomas, Bertha, Annie Lou, Mary and Allie, all are living at this writing, 1919.
HARVEY KELLY whose name is especially well known in Anderson County through his two terms of service in the Legislature, has for a number of years been a farmer, merchant, and is recognized as the founder of the Town of Cheddar in Ander- son County.
He was born in that county September 22, 1865. The Kelly family was established in Anderson County by his great-grandfather, Elisha Kelly in early times. The grandfather also named Harvey Kelly was a native of Anderson County. John K. and Nancy Caroline (Johnson) Kelly were the parents of Harvey Kelly. John K. Kelly was a farmer. He was twice married, his second wife being Miss Maggie Crawford, who survives him. By his two wives he was the father of twenty-two children.
Hon. Harvey Kelly grew up on a farm and at the age of twenty-two started out to make his own way in the world. For several years he oper- ated a portable steam saw mill, and for six years was a traveling salesman. He then bought a farm, opened a country store, and his store became the nucleus of the now thriving community of Ched- dar. He also operated a cotton gin and a black- smith shop in that village and for twelve years
was postmaster until the office was discontinued. Mr. Kelly owes his success largely to the exercise of that homely quality expressed by the phrase "get up and get." In 1916 he was elected a mem- ber of the State Legislature to represent Anderson County, and the service rendered by him during his first term thoroughly entitled him to his re- election.
Mr. Kelly is a Master Mason, a Knight of Pythias, Red Man and Woodman, and he and his wife are Baptists. In 1901 he married Miss lda Johnson, daughter of Willis and Elizabeth John- son. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter.
ELIAS NATHANIEL. ELROD has achieved a more than ordinary success as a farmer, has been thoroughgoing and progressive in all his methods, and has built up one of the good estates in Ander- son County.
He was born in Brushy Creek Township of that County where he lives today on May 1, 1852, son of Richard Toliver and Susanna Maria (Elrod) Elrod. His parents were born and reared in the same township. Richard Toliver Elrod was born June 30, 1824, and died October 7, 1900. His par- ents were Adam and Sarah Owen (Moore) Elrod, the former born December 1, 1798, and died July 4. 1859, while the latter was born August 17, 1804, and died August 11, 1871. Susanna Maria Elrod, mother of Elias Nathaniel, was born January 2, 1820, and died February 2, 1905. Her parents were Elias and Mary Howard (Donthit) Elrod. Elias Elrod was born May 26, 1796, a son of Abraham Elrod, a native of Virginia, who married Marjorie Stanton. Adam and Elias Elrod were second cousins.
Richard Toliver Elrod was a Confederate soldier, serving during the latter part of the war. By oc- cupation he was a farmer, and stood high in his community being honored with the post of trial justice for a number of years and in other public responsibilities. He was a Mason and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They had four sons and one daughter: Lafayette G., Elias Nathaniel, Adam Butler, William Capers, and Mary.
Elias Nathaniel Elrod grew up on the home farm and for over forty years has been busily engaged with the responsibilities of agriculture. In 1874 he married Miss Lou Simpson, a daughter of James H. Simpson of Anderson. To their marriage were born the following children: Hugh Foster, Wade Hampton, Jennie, James Richard, deceased, Butler Lake, Rose. Luther Clay, Louree and Nathaniel Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. Elrod are members of the. Methodist Church and Mr. Elrod is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.
WILLIAM HENRY TOLLISON is proprietor of a farm of a little less than 200 acres in Anderson County. He enjoys the comforts of the prosperous agricul- turist in modern times and has also reared a large and interesting family. His present circumstances represent a strong early struggle over obstacles.
The fact that he was born October 6, 1859, and spent his youth and childhood in the period of the war and reconstruction explains one chief reason
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why his early life was one of near poverty. He was born in Greenville County, a son of Thomas and Sallie (Thompson) Tollison. His father was a native of Greenville County, and his grandfather was Isaac Tollison. Thomas and Isaac were soldiers in the Confederate army. Thomas Tollison died in Rome, Georgia, toward the close of the war.
This threw upon his widow the responsibilities of caring for herself and her four children. She was also a native of Greenville County, a daughter of Harris and. Bettie ( Terry) Thompson her mother being a native of England. The four children of Thomas and Sallie (Thompson) Tollison were John Franklin, deceased; Lizzie or Lueretia; William Henry and Maggie. Sallie Tollison took hier chil- dren were William Oscar, Bailey B., Mary, Gwinn, grandfather's farm 'in Anderson County. The mother never married after the death of her soldier husband and lived to the age of seventy-three, finding peace and comfort in the home of her son William Henry during her last years. The father died when her children were still young and she then inoved to a farm of her own. William Henry was then fourteen years of age and lie did what he could to help in the work of the farm and provide for his mother and other children. He had few opportunities to attend school. His mother in spite of the hard struggle she had to gain an existence never neglected the religious and moral education of her children and took them to Sunday school with exceeding regularity.
In 1881 at the age of twenty-one William H. Tollison married Miss Florence Holland of Ander- son County. They started out as renters and after several years of economy and thrift bought a small tract of land and from time to time his prosperity has enabled him to increase his holdings. Mr. and Mrs. Tollison are properly proud of their ten chil- dren, to whom they have given good home, religious and educational advantages. These children are named Thomas Crayton, Lester Harold, Pearl Eliz- abeth, William Andrew, Walter Tillman, James Hoyt, Robert Hilton, Olive Mae, Mand Garland and Roy. James Hoyt was in Company D of the Three Hundredth and Twenty-third Infantry, Eighty- First Division, of the American Expeditionary Forees in France. Another son Robert Hilton was with the army on the Texas border during the Mexican troubles of 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Tollison are faithful members of the Baptist Church and he has been a deacon in his home church for over twenty years. He is also a Master Mason and a Woodman of the World.
WILLIAM OSCAR PEPPER. During the past half century some of the largest holdings of land and best farms in Brushy Creek Township of Ander- son County have been owned and managed by mem- bers of the Pepper family. One of them is William Oscar Pepper whose name is a synonym of good farming methods in that county.
He was born at Belton, South Carolina, April 25, 1868, a son of Enoch S. Pepper and a grandson of Elijah and Sallie (Breazeale) Pepper. The grand- father was a native of Virginia and on coming to South Carolina settled near Williamston in Ander- son County. He married after coming to this coun-
ty. They had the following children: Pinckney L., Enoch S., Kannon, John who was killed while a Confederate soldier, William, Hennentral, Nira, Emaline and still another daughter whose first name cannot now be recalled.
Enoch S. Pepper was born in Anderson County April 29, 1829, and died at his home in Brushy Creek Township February 12, 1908. Ile had made considerable progress as a farmer before the war, and during that crisis between the states he enlisted and served in the Confederate army, having charge of a traveling forge. On October 6, 1866, he mar- ried Anna Breazcale, a native of Anderson County and daughter of David K. Breazeale. He took up the problems of life after the war a poor man, and by industry and good management achieved a much more than ordinary success as a farmer. At the time of his death he owned over 1,000 acres in Brushy Creek Township and also a large bank ac- count besides. His wife died in 1891. Their chil- dren were William Oscar, Bailey B., Mary Gwinn, William H., Lela J., Pinckney, Sallie, Claude and Mande.
William Oscar Pepper as a boy spent his time be- tween the duties of the home farm and country schools. On December 4, 1890, he married Miss Jessie J. Henderson, daughter of John R. Hender- son. Ilis career for many years has been chiefly identified with agriculture, but for some time he also conducted a country store near his home. As he has prospered he has been able to give his chil- dren good educational advantages, and his public spirit has been a factor in the development of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Pepper's children are James Carl Pepper, Annie Mae Pepper, Enoch Fred Pepper, and John Oscar Pepper. The oldest son completed his high school education at Easley, in 1916 graduated in medicine at Atlanta, Georgia. The following year he practiced with a well equipped office near his father's home, and later joined the army, serving as first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps and had the invaluable experience and rendered patriotic duty with the American Expeditionary Forces. Doc- tor Pepper is a Master Mason. The daughter Annie Mae Pepper is a graduate of the Mars Hill College of North Carolina. Enoch Fred graduated from Clemson College and is now employed as an en- tomologist in the Agricultural Department of the Federal Government. John Oscar Pepper is a grad- tiate of the Easley High School.
DAVID AARON GEER. In spite of the fact that he had to begin his business career with savings from his salary as a clerk, David Aaron Geer of Belton has been a prosperous merchant for years. and is regarded as one of the most substantial property men in that section of the state.
He was born on a farm in Anderson County November 15, 1860, a son of Solomon M. and Mary E. (Holmes) Geer. His parents were also natives of Anderson County, where his grandfather David Geer was also born. The Geer family was first established in the state and in the country lying between Belton and Anderson by the great-grand- father Solomon Geer.
Mr. Geer's father was a farmer and died of
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paralysis in 1885 at the age of sixty. The mother survived until 1916, passing away at the age of eighty-three. In the family were twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, nine sons and one daughter, thus constituting a large and numerous household.
David Aaron Geer lived . on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, and as the neces- sities of the family were so many he could acquire only a common school education. Ile worked as clerk in a store at Belton until 1800, and then invested his savings in a general merchandise busi- ness of his own. He has been a merchant at Bel- ton for nearly thirty years, and at the same time has been interested in the livestock business and farming, his agricultural operations having been conducted on a large and important scale for sey- eral years. He is a democrat, quite active in the affairs of the party though never seeking office for himself. He is a Master Mason and Knight of Pythias and member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Geer married Miss Ida Brown in IQUI. They have two children, David A., Jr., and James Robert Geer.
MONROE MASTON BAGWELL. One of the oldest prominent families of Anderson County is repre- sented by Monroe Maston Bagwell, a successful farmer in Brushy Creck Township, where he has spent his entire life.
The farm which he now cultivates was his birth- place on June 25, 1875. His parents were Fred and Samantha Caroline (Callahan) Bagwell. His father was born and reared near Honca Path in Anderson County. The grandfather, Henderson Bagwell, spent most of his life in Anderson County. The grand- mother bore the maiden name of Stone. Their children were: Lewis, who was killed while a Con- federate soldier; Jane, who married Major Gam- brell; Paylis, who resides at Seneca; George, who was also killed during the war between the states; Maggie, deceased wife of J. J. Trussell ; and Fred. Henderson Bagwell by his second marriage had other children, named Thomas, William, James, Ann and Texie.
Fred Bagwell was one of the sixteen year old boys who went into the Confederate army and per- formed their part as soldiers with the courage and steadiness of veterans. In 1876 he located on the land now owned and cultivated by his son Monroe, and was a farmer there until his death at the age of seventy-one. His wife died at the age of seventy- three. Their children were named William Lewis, John Luther, Mattie Iola, Monroe M., Alonzo Hen- derson and Ollie Wilton. Fred Bagwell and wife were active members of the Baptist Church and he was one of the founders of Pisgah Church in Brushy Creek Township.
Monroe M. Bagwell grew up on the home farm and received his education in local schools. In 1895 he married Elizabeth Spearman, daughter of the late Jacoh and Sarah ( Martin) Spearman. Nine children have been born to their marriage, named James Luther, Ruth Iola,, Jacob Thelma, Fred, Beatrice Annie, Louis, Martin Monroe. Andrew Walker, and Irene, but the last named died in in- fancy. The oldest son was a soldier spending four Vol. 111-9
months in the army camp. Mr. and Mrs. Bagwell are active members of the Pisgah Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon. He is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.
JOHN WILSON MANUEL. In placing the name of John W. Manuel before the reader as one standing in the front rank of the enterprising men of affairs and an acknowledged leader of the bar at Hampton, South Carolina, whose influence has tended to the upbuilding of the community of his residence and the advancement of the affairs of his county, simple jus- tice is done a biographical fact, recognized through- ont the community by those at all familiar with his history and cognizant of the important part he has acted in the circles with which he has been identified. His career presents a notable example of those quali- ties of mind and character which invariably over- come obstacles and win success, and his example is well worthy of imitation by those dissatisfied with present attainments who would aspire to higher and more useful positions of honor and trust.
John Wilson Manuel was born in Jasper County, South Carolina, at what is now known as Gillison- ville, the county seat of Beaufort District until 1825, his birth occurring on September 9, 1879. His father, Joseph C. Maunel, was a native of Barnwell County, this state, and is now living at Gillisonville, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a soldier in the Confederate army during the latter part of the struggle, his command being disbanded near Goldsboro, North Carolina, at the close of the war. He was a young man at the time and most of his service was in Charleston guarding prisoners. Dur- ing his active years he followed farming pursuits and is highly respected throughout the locality where he lives. He is the son of John Manuel, a farmer and also a native of Barnwell County, who was descended from stanch old French Huguenot stock which set- tled in this country many years ago. The subject's motlier, who bore the maiden name of Susan Ann Souls, was born in what is now Jasper County, and by her union with Joseph C. Manuel six children were born, of which number the subject of this sketch is the oldest.
John W. Manuel attended the public schools of Hampton and also studied some under the direction of a private tutor, John T. Morrison, who enjoyed a high reputation locally because of his learning and teaching ability. Subsequently Mr. Manuel became a student at the famous old Citadel, in Charleston, where he was graduated in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and standing sixth in a class of thirty-six. During the following six years Mr. Manuel taught school, and in the meantime gave serious attention to the study of law, so that, in May, 1908, he was formally admitted to the bar. He immediately located at Hampton and entered upon the practice of his profession, heing associated in a partnership with Gen. James W. Moore until the death of the latter, in December, 1912, since which time Mr. Mannel has continued in the practice alone. He has built up a large and representative clientage in the courts of this and adjoining counties and has heen connected with most of the important litigation here for several years. He is attorney for the Seaboard Airline Railroad, the Southern Railroad.
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the Atlantic Coast Line and the Charleston & West Carolina, besides other important connections of like character. He has been eminently successful in his practice and enjoys a splendid reputation among his professional contemporaries.
In 1914 Mr. Manuel was married to Minna M. Brown, of Georgia. Fraternally, Mr. Manuel is a member of the Ancient Free Masons, the Woodmien of the World and the Knights of Pythias. He is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and at one time represented Hampton County in the State Leg- islature. He is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything per- taining to the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines, and he is recognized as one of the progressive and representative men of his city and county.
EDWARD FREEMAN ALLGOOD, a prosperous farmer of Brushy Creek Township. Anderson County, his home being on Rural Route No. 2 out of Williamston, though too young to serve in the Confederate army, came to manhood in the period of the reconstruction, and in spite of the handicaps imposed by that period achieved more than ordinary success and prosperity as a farmer.
Mr. Allgood was born in Pickens County Novem- ber 13, 1850, a son of Alexander and Mahala ( Baker) . Allgood, who were also natives of Pickens County. His grandfather, Holloway Barnett Allgood, came to South Carolina from Virginia and spent the rest of his life in Pickens County. The name Allgood is Irish. Alexander Allgood was also a farmer, and died when past eighty years of age. His wife died at the age of sixty-six. They had a large family of children : Adaline, deceased; William, who was a Confederate soldier ; Zilphey, deceased; Joel, who was killed during the war between the states; Ban- ister, who was in the Confederate army; Mary, his twin sister, now deceased; Nancy; Rebecca; Ed- ward Freeman; Martha, deceased; Azela: and De- forest Alexander.
Edward Freeman Allgood grew up on the farm and remained at home until his marriage November 12, 1868, to Elizabeth Patience Rogers. She was born in Spartanburg County, a daughter of Thomas Adams Rogers. Mr. and Mrs. Allgood have been married for over half a century. To their marriage were born the following children: Henry Mortimer, Nancy Emma, Thomas Rogers, Joel Alexander, Mary Mahala, Camilla, Louisa Margaret, James Edward, Keith Erastus, Conrad Lacunus, Talitha Elizabeth, John Franklin and Bernice. The son, Thomas Rog- ers is deceased. Conrad L. became a physician and was living in Georgia when he joined the Medical Reserve Corps, and with the rank of first lieutenant saw active service In France. The daughter Talitha is a graduate from Furman University and is a suc- cessful teacher. John Franklin enlisted in the United States Navy in 1917.
Mr. Allgood has spent his active career as a farmer. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, using neither tobacco nor intoxicating liquors. As a democrat he has cast his vote for the good of the country and was especially active in the campaign of 1876 when Wade Hampton was elected governor of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs.
Allgood are Baptists, and all their children except the oldest are members of the same church. Mr. Allgood has been deacon and treasurer of the home church for nearly twenty years.
JOHN WILLIAM DANIELS. There was not a braver soldier, a truer gentleman, and a finer figure in the life and public affairs of Anderson County than the late Capt. John William Daniels.
He was born in the neighborhood of Central, Pickens County, August 26, 1833. When he was a boy his parents moved to Pendleton, where his father was a merchant tailor. Captain Daniels grew up in Pendleton, acquired such education as could be obtained from the village schools, and at the age of eighteen entered a South Carolina military school, The Citadel, at Charleston, where he com- pleted a four years' course and graduated with honors. He showed appreciation of the military training he had acquired at The Citadel by imme- diately volunteering his services to his state at the outbreak of the war. He participated in the cap- ture of Fort Sumter and upon the organization of the Fourth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers was elected lieutenant of Company K. He was in some of the first battles of the war fought on Virginia soil. The Fourth Regiment was reorgan- ized in 1862 and at that time Lieutenant Daniels was advanced to captain of Company L. The regiment was more familiarly known as the Palmetto Sharpshooters. At the battle of Seven Pines Cap- tain Daniels was severely wounded in the right leg. The wound was such that he was confined in hos- pital for nearly two years, and was a cripple the rest of his life, and those living today who re- member him recall him as a figure on crutches.
He shared in the impoverished condition of the slate at the close of the war. His only capital when he returned from the army was a gold watch, which he put up as a guarantee for his board bill and afterwards redeemed. Unable to do physical work, he had the determination and ambition to make something of himself. His educational qualifi- cations were superior, and as a young man of char- acter and general popularity in his county, his friends suggested that he become a candidate for clerk of court. He was elected in 1865, and his official record as well as his personal popularity thoroughly entitled him to the subsequent honors he received, in repeated re-elections, so that for five consecutive terms or twenty years he was clerk of court. In 1886 the people of Anderson County called him again to public service when he was chosen a member of the Lower House of the Legis- lature, where he served with honor and credit for two years. For two years following he was em- ployed in the office of the comptroller general of South Carolina and at that time lived at Columbia. This closed his career in public office, but to the end of his life he never lost a keen interest in public affairs. He had performed his duties against the obstacle of ill health, which made him a suf- ferer for many years, and after leaving office he lived a more or less retired life with freedom from business cares. Though he began his career poor, after the start given him while in public office, he needed no other capital and encouragement, and by good business management and wise investment
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