USA > South Carolina > History of South Carolina > Part 35
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Any of Sitter
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Hopewell Baptist Church, and he is affiliated with the Masonic order.
AUGUSTUS J. SITTON. The history of the Sitton family goes back into the colonial days of South Carolina, and is a record of many men prominent in their respective communities. For nearly a cen- tury one of the important industrial institutions that furnished an outlet for the energy, enterprise and ability of one branch of the family has been the Peu- dleton Manufacturing Company at Autun.
It is interesting to note that this industry was established in 1838, the same year that the late Augustus J. Sitton was born. The late Mr. Sitton was for over thirty years one of its owners. The factory has never ceased operation during the eighty years since it was established, and in that time it has produced an enormous volume of cotton and yarn.
The late Augustus J. Sitton was born at Pendle- ton, December 16, 1838, and died at Autun, March 9, 1909, in his seventy-first year. He was descended from John Sitton, Sr., who came from England to America in colonial times. His son, John, Jr., was born in North Carolina and became one of the pioneers of Pickens County, South Carolina. In Pickens County was born Phillip Sitton, who died there in 1828. Phillip married Sarah Bradley, whose father, Ambrose Bradley, was likewise identi- fied with the carly settlement of Pickens County. She died in 1817, when her son, John B. Sitton, was only Seven years old.
John B. Sitton, father of the late Col. Au- gustus Sitton, was born in Pickens County, Novem- ber 28, 1810, and died at Pendleton in 1893. He grew up on his father's farm, and soon after his father's death, at the age of eighteen, in 1829, he removed to Pendleton and made his home there the rest of his life. He served an apprenticeship of three years at the carriage making trade and in 1832 set up a carriage shop of his own. In that year he was also appointed postmaster of Pendleton, and held that office steadily under the Federal govern- ment for nearly thirty years, and then continued to act as postmaster for the Confederate govern- ment. During the war he also served under the Confederacy as receiver of ' Anderson, Oconee, Greenville, Spartanburg and Laurens counties, a very honorable and responsible office, the duties of which he discharged with eminent satisfaction. In the meantime he had continued his carriage shop, and had increased it by introducing a harness department. lle continued in business after the war and also became active in other enterprises, including the Bank at Pendleton and the flouring mill on Con- neross Creek in Oconee County, known as Sitton's Mill. John B. Sitton was a democrat, served as mayor of Pendleton many years, was a Presbyte- rian and fraternally was a Mason.
In 1832 he married Celena J. Norton, a daughter of Col. Jeptha Norton, of Oconee County. She died in 1862, the mother of eight children: Augustus J., Fmma C., Alice, Frank L., Janie, Miles N., Henry P. and Joseph J.
Augustus J. Sitton grew up in Pendleton and acquired a good English education. Early in life he learned the trade of carriage maker under his father, and followed that as a business until the outbreak
of the war. In April, 1861, he volunteered in the Confederate army in Company K of the Fourth South Carolina Regiment, commanded by Col. J. B. E. Sloan. A year later this regiment with others was merged with the Palmetto Sharpshooters, and with that distinguished organization he served until the close of hostilities, surrendering with General Lee at Appomattox. In the first battle of Manassas he received a painful, though not dangerous wound, and at that time was second sergeant of his com- pany.
The war over he resumed work at his trade as his father's partner and continued so until 1876. During this time the firm of J. B. and A. J. Sitton conducted a steam gin at Pendleton. In 1876 Mr. Sitton accepted the management of the Pendleton Manufacturing Company at Autun, conducting the mill for the bendholders fifteen months. In 1878 with Col. Jesse W. Norris, he bought the mill, and thereafter for twenty years this partnership con- tinued, at the expiration of which time Mr. Sitton bought Mr. Norris' interest, and became sole owner. He continued the business until his death. The mill for years has been the chief asset of the com- munity at Autun, and the company also operates a general store there. The late Mr. Sitton was a di- rector of the Pendleton Bank for many years. He was a democrat, true and tried, and served two years on the staff of Governor Hampton with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is generally credited with originating the "Red Shirt" as a campaign uniform and emblem of the forces that were striving to re- store South Carolina to white men's rule in the memorable campaign of 1876. It was largely the work of the "Red Shirts" which overthrew the carpet bag government and triumphed through the election of Governor Hampton. Colonel Sitton was an active Baptist and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
In 1884 he married Miss Leila Aull, of New- berry, a daughter of John P. Aull. She is still liv- ing at Spartanburg with a daughter. To their mar- riage were born three children: Augustus J., who died at the age of sixteen; Cema, L., wife of A. M. Chreitzberg, a prominent Spartanburg banker, and Eugene N.
Eugene N. Sitton, who graduated from Clemson College in 1911, succeeded his father as president of the Pendleton Manufacturing Company. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Baptist Church. His wife is Sarah E. McPhail, of Pendleton, and they have three children, Sarah Elizabeth, Frances and Leila Eugenia.
JAMES MARCELLUS BROYLES. The agricultural in- terests of Anderson County are capably and honor- ably represented in Fork Township. by James Mar- cellus Broyles, who has devoted his entire life to this vocation and has met with unqualified success therein. Through good management and industry he has brought himself to a position of prominence among the farmers of his section, and at the same time has maintained a high reputation for public spirit and progressiveness in matters of civic im- port.
Mr. Broyles was born in Whitfield County, Georg- ia, October 29, 1863, a son of Dr. William Lownes
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and Mary Adelaide (Routh) Broyles, the for- mer a native of Tennessee and a son of Cain Broy- les, and the mother a native of Whitfield County, Georgia, and a daughter of Pleasant Miller and Cla- rissa Harlow (Watkins) Routh. William I .. and Mary A. Broyles came from Georgia to South Caro- lina by wagon and located in Fork Township, Ander- son County, December 25, 1863, where the father engaged in farming until his death June 14. 1877, when he was aged about fifty-one years. He also was an old-time country physician and practiced his calling in conjunction with his agricultural labors. He was always ready to answer the summons of those who were afflicted, and no weather as too in- clement for him to venture forth on his errands of mercy, nor did he allow any personal interest to interfere when his services were needed. He be- came greatly beloved and revered by the people of the entire countryside, and in his death his commun- ity lost a citizen who had done much both for his community and for his fellow-men. Mrs. Broyles still survives her husband and is one of the highly respected ladies of her community where her many admirable traits of mind and heart are known and appreciated. She and her husband were the parents of the following children : George Nash, who is de- ceased; Fannic Murtis, also deceased; James Mar- cellus, of this notice; Lula Josephine, who is de- ceased; and William Clifton, a resident of Ander- son.
James Marcellus Broyles received an educational training something beyond that of the farmers' sons of his section, as his father, himself a well educated man, recognized the merits and benefits of educa- tion. After attending the local schools he took a course at Adger College at Walhalla, South Caro- lina, and then returned to the home place, where he assisted his widowed mother until his marriage, December 13, 1888, on which date Miss Cattie Gantt became his bride. She is a daughter of the late James A. Gantt, and was born and reared in Fork Township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Broyles; Fannie Murtis, Mary Eliza, Joanne and Wilhelmina. At the time he began housekeeping Mr. Broyles located on his present property, and has since continued to add to his landed possessions until he is now the proprietor of 477 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. The improvements on this property are of the most modern character, and include, among other attrac- tive and substantial buildings, a splendid country residence with all modern conveniences.
Mr. Broyles is an honored and worthy representa- tive of the farming element of Anderson County, and as a citizen has always merited the highest es- teem in which he is held.
W. EUGENE ATKINSON. While his active busi- ness career covers little more than twenty years. Mr. Atkinson has made such vigorous use of his time and opportunities that he is head of or other- wise officially connected with several of the lead- ing business and commercial enterprises of his home city of Orangeburg.
He was born in Sumter County, May 2, 1882, son of Edward R. and Beulah (Josey) Atkinson. The Atkinson family is of English descent, and
has been in America since the carly period of co- lonial settlement in the seventeenth century. Some of the family were Continental soldiers in the Revo- lutionary war. The family seat in South Carolina has been in Sumter County for a century and a half. W. Eugene Atkinson was born on the old Atkinson homestead and in the same house in which his grandfather, Edward Atkinson, was born. In the maternal line the Josey family has likewise been in South Carolina for many generations, and is of English descent.
Eugene Atkinson grew up on his father's farm and acquired a good business and English edu- cation in the public schools in Sumter and Orange- burg counties. In married life he left the farm to go into business and spent nine years as a hook- keeper. He was a cotton broker and farmer. In 1911 Mr. Atkinson established the Atkinson Furni- ture Company, Incorporated, of which he is presi- dent. He has also been president since 1918 of the Planters National Bank of Orangeburg, and is presi- dent of the Bankers National Life Insurance Com- pany. The Planters National Bank of Orangeburg was organized in Igo8, with a capital of $50,000. subsequently increased to $100,000. It is one of the strongest institutions in that section of the state. and in 1920 its resources were in excess of $1,000,000.
August 14, 1907, Mr. Atkinson married Agnes Holman, of Orangeburg County. They have three children, Edwin Wilkes, David Holman and William Benjamin.
Mr. Atkinson is a steward in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, at Orangeburg, and a promi- nent layman of that denomination in the state, be- ing appointed secretary treasurer of the South Caro- lina Conference. Prominent in Masonry, he is a past master of his lodge, past high priest of the Royal Arch, and past eminent commander of the Knights Templar and belongs to the Shrine. He is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
CHARLES DAVID WATSON. While there has been nothing abnormal in. the career of Charles David Watson, he has long borne the reputation in An- derson County of being a steady, hard working farmer, a good manager, a citizen always responsive to community demands, and a worthy representa- tive of an old and honored name.
He was born in Anderson County February 7, 1867, and is a son of the late William Gary Watson, whose life story is told at length on other pages. The son acquired a common school education, lived at home until married, and then settled on the farm where he lives today, just north of the Village of Starr. For over twenty years he has driven his enterprise of farming with increasing success, is a large producer of the staple crops of South Caro- lina, and today owns and operates a farm notable not only for its extensive acreage but for its de- lightful surroundings and home atmosphere.
In 1896 Mr. Watson married Miss Mamie Robin- son, also a native of Anderson County and a daugh- ter of Col. Richard B. A. Robinson. Her father, who was born in Abbeville County February 27, 1846, died in Anderson County March 18, 1903.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
He was a son of James and Emily (Bighy) Robin- son, of Abbeville County. Colonel Robinson entered the Confederate army in 1863, at the age of seven- teen, and proved a steadfast and valorous soldier until the close of the struggle. Soon after his return home he married, settled on a farm in the southern part of Anderson County, and in that locality remained an honored figure to the close of his life. His military title of colonel was derived from his service on the staff of Governor Hagood with that rank. For twenty years he was a local magistrate and for two terms represented Anderson County in the Legislature. Nor should there be forgotten his services rendered in the trying times of reconstruction as a leader in the "Red Shirt" campaign, which brought about restoration of local and state government to white rule. He was a stanch democrat, a Master Mason and a member of the Methodist Church. The widow of Colonel Robinson is still living and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. Her maiden name was Tamatha Ann Parker and she was born in Anderson County August 18, 1846, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Gambrell) Parker. Colonel and Mrs. Robin- son had two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have no children. They are mem- bers of the Baptist Church.
J. S. FOWLER. From the standpoint of continuous service J. S. Fowler is the oldest business man of Anderson, where continuously for upwards of forty- five years he has been a dealer in livestock, vehicles, saddlery and a varied line of kindred supplies.
Mr. Fowler, whose full given name is Judge Sid- ney, but who is called "Jud" by his friends, came to Anderson at the age of twenty-three, a young, unmarried man. He was born on his father's plan- tation in Cherokee County, Georgia, September 13, 1854. The Fowlers are of English descent, and his grandfather, William Fowler, and a brother came from their native state of Massachusetts and set- tled in South Carolina soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. James A. Fowler, father of the Anderson business man, was born in Anderson County, but in 1845 went to Cherokee County, Georgia, which had recently been opened for settle- ment. He spent the rest of his life as a farmer in Georgia, and early in the war between the states raised a company of Confederate soldiers and was chosen captain. Some years previously he had sus- tained an injury to his leg, which incapacitated him for active military duty, and he was obliged to re- sign his commission in the army, much to his re- gret. He then returned home and toward the close of the war re-entered the army. In his last years his health was not good, but he lived to a good old age and died on his Georgia plantation in 1882. By his first marriage he had two sons, who became Confederate soldiers and were killed in the war. His second wife was Elizabeth Milliken. She was the mother of seven sons, two of whom died in childhood. Of the five now living the youngest is fifty-four years of age.
Judge Sidney Fowler grew up on his father's farm and acquired a fair education, chiefly from private tutors employed by his father. Since school days he has had an extensive business experience
that has brought him wide and diversified knowl- edge. The first year he spent in Anderson County he was a farmer, and has always had farming inter- ests, operating on an extensive scale, and he is known as one of the most progressive and suc- cessful farmers of the state. He began mer- chandising with limited capital and has achieved a measure of success which entitles him to the position which he holds among the prominent busi- ness men of Anderson County. He was active in securing for Anderson its first cotton mill, and has taken a prominent part in every enterprise which had for its object the development of the resources of the city and county. No one has been more lib- eral than he in contributions to the educational, re- ligious, charitable and business interests of the community.
He is a democrat in politics, and while he has never sought political office, his strong political in- fluence has always been given to the cause of pure polities, and to the election to office of the best men.
In 1877 Mr. Fowler was married to Mrs. Hor- tense ( Earle) Cooley. Mrs. Fowler died in 1914. No children came to bless this marriage, but Mr. Fowler's step-children and their children were ever the objects of his love and watchful care and inter- est.
He is noted for his large hearted generosity. Many a man in Anderson County-now successful and well to do-will bear testimony to the fact that Mr. Fowler's generosity and aid started him in life. It is an open secret that any person in distress or want or trouble may go to him with the certain assurance of receiving help.
His home is always open, and his hospitality is as boundless as his welcome is gracious and cordial.
WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN, whose father lost his life while a soldier of the Confederacy, has spent an active and hard working career as a farmer of Anderson County, and while his personal record does not contain a record of military service, three of his sons were soldiers in the World war.
Mr. Martin was born near his present home in the northern part of the county September 27, 1861, son of William A. and Rebecca E. (Fielding) Martin, both natives of the same county. His grandfather, Jesse Martin, was born in Virginia and came to Anderson County in early days. The maternal grandfather, Henry B. Fielding, was likewise from Virginia.
William Henry Martin was the only child of his parents. His father left the farm to go into the Confederate army at the beginning of the war, and gave up his life to the cause while in the defense of Petersburg near Richmond. He was then twenty -- five years of age. The mother in the meantime with her only child had made her home with her father and mother, and she remained on the Field- ing farm and William Henry Martin grew up there. He had the opportunities of only a common school education. At the age of twenty-five he married and started out to make his own way in the world. Through farming he has proved his value as . a business man and has gained prosperity by his
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practical and thoroughgoing methods and industry. In recent years he has operated a dairy. Ile owns and manages some extensive farm lands and has a fine country residence.
Mr. Martin married Miss Lula Newton, a daugh- ter of Larkin and Ruth ( Welborn) Newton, of Anderson County. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and he is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and is a stanch democrat.
The Martin family comprise twelve children. A brief record of this large family is as follows : Tennie, who died leaving two children, Marie and Lettie; William N., who was in the service of the Government as a soldier during the great war, but never had the fortune to be sent overseas; Annie, unmarried; Varina, wife of Reece R. Long; Field- ing, who while serving in the United States Army died at Vancouver on the Pacific Coast January 6, 1919; Paul, who was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces as a musician in the Three Hundred and Twenty-Third Infantry, Eighty-First Division ; Ruth; John Bailus; Jesse; Mary; Ellen ; and William Henry, Jr.
THOMAS ELLIOTT WATKINS, of Anderson County, has lived more than sixty years, and has always been identified with agriculture and farming inter- ests. From that ancient profession he has provided liberally for those dependent upon him, and is father of some sons and daughters who are particu- larly noteworthy as energetic young workers in the spheres of business, agriculture and professional affairs.
Mr. Watkins was born in Anderson County June 12, 1856, a son of David and Annie (Martin) Wat- kins, also natives of Anderson County. The grand- father was Joseph Watkins and the great-grand- father,, John Watkins, was a native of Virginia. David Watkins spent his life as a farmer and school teacher, and toward the close of the war between the states entered the service as one of the "old men" of the South and served with the rank of lieutenant. He and his wife had three sons and two daughters: William Martin, who died at the age of twenty; Thomas Elliott; Jacob Alfred; Julia; and Ruth Jane, who died when eleven years old.
Thomas Elliott Watkins acquired a common school education and came to manhood just as South Caro- lina was emerging from the slough of industrial depression caused by the war. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, and for over forty years has been an independent farmer. In 1877 he married Miss Roberta Virginia Griffin. She died less than a year after their marriage.
January 18, 1882, Mr. Watkins married Miss Vir- ginia C. Smith, who was born in Anderson County December 14, 1857, a daughter of Nimrod Smith. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church. He and his wife have had the following children : Rufus Walter, born October 3, 1882; Clinton Lamar, born July 6, 1884; Thomas Del, born October 30, 1886; David Wayne, horn February I, 1889; Roy Nimrod, born May 5, 1891 ; Lois Virginia, born January 2, 1805; and Charles Smith, born February 16, 1898. Something should be said con- cerning each of these children. Rufus Walter is
one of the progressive farmers of his native county. Clinton Lamar is a graduate of the normal course at the University of South Carolina and for six years was a teacher. Thomas Del was graduated at The Citadel in 1907, was a soldier in Camp Gordon and lacked two weeks of graduating from the offi- cers' training school when the armistice was signed. David Wayne is a graduate of Clemson College and is now acting director of the extension work of that institution. Roy Nimrod was a student at Clemson College and College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, and is now associated with his brother Rufus in farming. Lois is a graduate of Winthrop Normal at Rock Hill and is now County Home Demonstration Agent for Anderson County. Charles Smith, the youngest son, is a graduate of Clemson College and is now a teacher of agriculture at Simpsonville.
SAMUEL BROADUS EARLE, M. E. Clemson College, which has performed a valuable service in the state in the promotion of industrial education, has had the services of Samuel Broadus Earle, a graduate me- chanical engineer, in connection with the department of engineering more than fifteen years, and for a large part of that time head and director of the department.
Mr. Earle was born in Greenville County, South Carolina, March 11, 1878, youngest of the ten chil- dren of Rev. Thomas John and Eliza Jane (Ken- nedy) Earle. His mother's grandfather came from Ireland and was a pioneer settler in Georgia. The Earle family was established in America by John Earle, who came from England in 1649 and settled in Northumberland, afterwards divided into West- moreland County, Virginia, where he spent his life. Among his descendants were Baylis and John Earle, who came to South Carolina in 1774, and from them many prominent families in the state trace their descent. Baylis Earle was the great-grandfather of Samuel Broadus Earle. IIe settled in the valley of North Pacolet River in Spartanburg County.
Rev. Thomas John Earle, a son of Theron Earle, was born and reared in Spartanburg County, was a graduate of Mercer University, in early life ordained a Baptist minister, and after a pastorate of four years at Pendleton located on a part of the Earle homestead at Gowensville in Greenville County. While he lived the rest of his life on a farm and followed the occupation of planting, he worked untiringly and practically without compensation in behalf of religion and education. For thirty-five years he was pastor of the Baptist churches at Landrum, at Holly Springs and Gowensville, and for several years of the churches at New Prospect and Milford. ' All these churches were in riding distance of his home. He was also interested in a store at Gowensville and for several years con- ducted an academy in that village. He died in his sixty-fifth year and was one of the most useful and respected citizens in Greenville County.
Samuel Broadus Earle was eleven years old when his father died. He acquired a thorough education. graduating A. B. from Furman University and receiving his Master of Arts degree from the same institution in 1899. In 1902 he was graduated with the degree Mechanical Engineer from Cornell Uni- versity. After his return from that institution he
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