USA > South Carolina > Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state, Volume I > Part 3
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Mr. Bristow has served four terms of one year each as president of the Greenville board of trade. As business required him to be out of the city a large part of the time, he declined reëlection at the end of his first term of service, but he has been kept in office to the present time. Largely through the wise and energetic leadership of its president, the board has induced various enterprises to locate in Greenville, has secured concessions from the railroads in the matter of freight charges, obtained better facilities for travelers, and the erection of a new passenger station. Mr. Bristow is a director in various industrial com- panies, and is a hard worker for the interests of his city and state. By example and precept he has done much to maintain a high tone of life in the community, and by his integrity and his careful training of those who have worked under him he has greatly helped many young men to secure a good start on the road to success. The first strong impulse to strive for the prizes of life came from the necessity of helping his widowed mother and his sisters. He has not been able to read extensively, but has kept well informed regarding current events.
In estimating the relative strength of various specified influ- ences which have helped him in his work, he names that of home as paramount, and notes the fact that the influence of his mother on his moral and spiritual life was very strong. School and early companionship were helpful, but, for want of time and facilities, private study amounted to but little. Contact with men in active life he has found exceedingly helpful. In earlier. years hunting was his favorite mode of relaxation, but in recent years he spends the little time he can take from business in visits to the mountains. The only prominent fraternity of which he is a member is the Royal Arcanum. He has never held or sought
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ABNER ALONZO BRISTOW
political office, but he has always been a member of the Demo- cratic party. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church, in which he has held the office of deacon since 1898. He has also been greatly interested in, and very helpful to, the two Baptist educational institutions in his town.
In reviewing his life, Mr. Bristow finds that he has been successful, but adds that unremitting effort has been the price he has paid. The "early to bed and early to rise" habit was formed from necessity when a boy, and it has never been broken. In reply to a request that from his own experience and observation he would offer suggestions as to the principles, methods and habits that will contribute to the strengthening of sound ideals in American life and be most helpful in enabling young people to win true success, he says: "In determining any question, of however great or little importance, ask one's self the question, 'Is this right?'-if so, do it; if not, let it alone. Strive to do as much as possible for your employer, and do it thoroughly. The reward will come when you least expect it. Don't think more of pay-day than your work; let work be done promptly and thoroughly and pay will grow larger. Never guess a thing is done when you are asked by those in authority. Either know or see that it is. Work to obtain a finished education, and, above all, build character."
On December 1, 1885, Mr. Bristow was married to Miss Annie Hudson, daughter of Joshua Hudson, one of the most distinguished jurists in South Carolina. Of their three children, all were living in 1907.
The family residence is Number 229 Broadus avenue, Green- ville, South Carolina.
FREDERICK GARLINGTON BROWN
B ROWN, FREDERICK GARLINGTON, president of the Anderson Phosphate and Oil company; president of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce, and vice-president of the Peoples Bank of Anderson, was born at Anderson, South Carolina, October 28, 1860. His father, John Peter Brown, a lawyer and a graduate of the University of Virginia, was second lieutenant in Moore's regiment in the army of the Confederate States of America at the beginning of the War between the States. Because of poor health, which followed military service, he was forced to return home. He retired from his profession of the law, and lived upon his plantation until his death in 1879. His father's grandfather, Edward Vandiver, was a soldier of the Revolution, and shared in the battle of Eutaw Springs. His family was from Maryland, and originally from New York state. Through his mother, Mrs. Julia (Reed) Brown, a Christian woman of culture and education, whose influence over her son was strong, he is descended from Cornelius Hammond, who was a member of the Maryland house of burgesses, from Anne Arundel county, in the seventeenth century. Colonel LeRoy Hammond, Colonel Samuel Hammond, and Captains Samuel, George and Joshua Hammond, were in the Continental army and served in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, the late Judge J. P. Reed, was a native of Anderson county, a lawyer of note in his state, who was elected to congress on the Democratic ticket imme- diately after the War between the States; but was prevented from taking his seat at Washington by the rules which governed during the period of reconstruction. Samuel Brown, another ancestor, was a large planter and merchant at Townville, South Carolina.
Frederick Brown had a strong and healthy boyhood; and by his father, who was a planter, he was trained to assist in all kinds of work which had to be done on the plantation. His early . years were passed in the country, in Fork township, Anderson county. He attended the country schools near his home, and even in his early boyhood he was exceptionally fond of books. But it was not until he was eighteen years of age that he had
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FREDERICK GARLINGTON BROWN
any advanced schooling, and then he remained but one year a member of W. J. Ligon's high school at Anderson. He was recalled to his home by the death of his father, in 1879.
After some years passed on his father's plantation, he took a position as salesman with Bleckley, Brown & Fretwell, at Anderson, South Carolina, September 1, 1885. From the first his determination was formed to make whatever he undertook a success, regardless of the hard work or the time which might be required. He has always felt that the habit of regular daily employment which was formed on his father's plantation in his boyhood has been of great advantage to him, not only because "regular work keeps a boy, as well as older people, out of mis- chief," but still more because the habit of persevering diligence is the most important part of the equipment of a business man.
He has resided at Anderson, engaged actively in business life, since 1885. During these twenty years and more he has had an interest in many of the more important business enterprises of his town. He is president of the Anderson Phosphate and Oil company; president of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce; president of the Anderson Real Estate and Investment company; president of the Anderson Improvement company; vice-president of the Peoples Bank of Anderson; vice-president of the Ander- son Traction company; and he is a director in the following corporations: The Farmers' Warehouse company, the Bank of McCormick, the Brogon Cotton mills, the Toxaway Cotton mills, the Riverside Cotton mills, the Orr Cotton mills, the Cox Manu- facturing company, and the Ninety-Six Cotton mills. He is also a director of the county fair association.
Identified by conviction and choice with the Episcopal church, he is a vestryman, and treasurer of Grace Protestant Episcopal church.
He served four years as alderman of his city, representing the first ward. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has advanced from the Blue Lodge to the degree of Shriner. He is also a member of the Commercial club of Anderson, of the Com- mercial club of Charleston, and of the Columbia club; and he is one of the vice-presidents of the South Carolina club.
His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
He married Miss Mamie McCrary, November 16, 1887.
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FREDERICK GARLINGTON BROWN
He offers to the boys and young men of South Carolina a piece of practical advice, which his own experience leads him to emphasize: "Do not change your position too frequently. I worked in one corner store from 1885, when I began at twenty- five dollars a month, until 1900, when I had become the senior member of the firm, at which time I sold out my interest in that business and began manufacturing."
The address of Mr. Brown is Anderson, South Carolina.
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Very truly yours Joseph N. Brown
JOSEPH NEWTON BROWN
B ROWN, JOSEPH NEWTON, lawyer, business man, and banker, has been prominently identified with the practice of law in his part of the state and with the business interests of Anderson since the close of the War between the States. He was born near Anderson, December 16, 1832. His father, Samuel Brown, was a merchant and a planter, a solid business man, who held no public office, but made activity and integrity in business his leading aim in life. His mother, Mrs. Helena T. (Vandiver) Brown, like his father, had strong religious convictions and much of practical benevolence in life; and they both gave religious training to their son from his earliest years. His father's father was John Brown, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, of English descent. His mother was a descendant of Jacob Van der Weer, a Dutch settler of New York in 1650, who served in the Dutch army which captured from the Swedes Fort Christina (now Wilmington, Delaware,) in 1655, and settled there. Edward Vandiver, Colonel Brown's great-grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier, who fought at Eutaw Springs; and he had six sons who were preachers of the Baptist church, among whom Reverend Sanford Vandiver, Mrs. Brown's father, was prominent.
A hearty, healthy country boy, he enjoyed the sports of hunting and fishing; and he early became habituated to moderate labor on the farm with the negroes who belonged to his father; and this, he feels, gave him "health and strength, and the habit of perseverance." He attended the country schools within reach of his home-the old field schools; and when an accident to his father interrupted his attendance at school, he took a place as clerk in his father's store. Later he attended the classical school of Wesley Leverett, at Williamston, South Carolina.
In 1855, when he was twenty-three years old, he entered mercantile life at Laurens, South Carolina. Soon afterward he began the study of law in the office of Colonel J. H. Irby; and was admitted to the bar in 1858. With his preceptor he formed a partnership as the law firm of Irby & Brown, which was dissolved by the death of Colonel Irby, in 1860. A partnership
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with Colonel R. P. Todd was then formed; but in 1861 both partners entered the Confederate army, the former attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the Third South Carolina regiment, while Mr. Brown, by successive promotions, became the colonel of the Fourteenth South Carolina volunteers.
Enlisting as a private in Company D, Captain James M. Perrin, Gregg's regiment, on Sullivan's Island, January 11, 1861, he was transferred on March 5 to Morris Island, where he served through the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Returning to Lau- rens, he organized Company E of the Fourteenth South Carolina volunteers, and as captain of that company reëntered the service, August 16, 1861. On February 20, 1863, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of that regiment; and he became colonel of the regiment on September 17, 1863, continuing in that command until the close of the war. He commanded the regiment in most of the important battles from Chancellorsville until April 2, 1865, when he was captured at the fall of Petersburg and was held as a prisoner of war at Johnson's Island until July, 1865.
As senior colonel, McGowan's brigade, he commanded the brigade in the battle of the Bloody Angle, Spottsylvania court- house, Virginia, May 12, 1864. He had commanded his regiment in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and with the First regiment, Colonel McCrary's, his men were the first troops to enter Gettysburg. He was severely wounded at Gaines's Mill, June 27, 1862, and at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. He participated in most of the battles of Stonewall Jackson's corps. His military record appears in Caldwell's "History of McGowan's Brigade."
After his release at the close of the war, Colonel Brown removed to Anderson, South Carolina, and in October, 1865, formed a partnership with the Honorable J. P. Reed, then solicitor of the Western circuit, which continued until 1874. For the next six years he practiced his profession alone; while from 1880 to 1888 he was in partnership with J. L. Tribble and William S. Brown. In 1888 he virtually retired from the prac- tice of his profession, having acquired from a large and lucrative practice a handsome competence.
In his political relations always a Democrat, he has voted the regular ticket, even for W. J. Bryan. Although he "differed from him on financial questions," he "was unwilling to be a bolter."
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In 1886 and 1887 he was a member of the house of repre- sentatives; and he drew up the bill for refunding the state debt, and took an active part in advocating the sale of the Columbia canal by the state of South Carolina to the city of Columbia. He is a director in the Anderson Cotton mills, and the Gluck mills. He is a public-spirited citizen, and has contributed largely to the various manufacturing interests of the city and has given ten thousand dollars to the Anderson Public library. In August, 1872, he took a leading part in organizing the State Savings and Insurance Bank of Anderson, as he also did in forming the National Bank of Anderson, in January, 1873,-a bank which "paid good dividends for nineteen years, and closed up the business in September, 1891, paying the stockholders $470 per share on each $100 share invested." Throughout this period, Colonel Brown was president of the bank. Colonel Brown and the other officers of the bank recall with pride the fact that when that bank was closed "it stood eighth in point of success in the United States, and third in the South." It was for several years the pioneer in making small loans to farmers to enable them to purchase their supplies for cash; and it was a strong factor in beginning to make Southern planters and farmers financiers, by teaching them the value of ready money.
On February 28, 1866, Colonel Brown married Miss Lizzie Louisa Bruce, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Bruce, of Ander- son. They have had one daughter, Miss Varina D. Brown.
Colonel Brown has been a member of the Baptist church for over fifty years, and a deacon in that church for more than thirty years.
Whatever measure of success he has attained in his profession and in business life, he attributes to "industry, perseverance, and a strong will." "Diligence," he says, "insures success." To the youth of South Carolina he commends as most helpful in attain- ing true success in life, "Industry, economy (by which I do not mean stinginess), temperance, honesty, fair dealing." And to young lawyers he adds: "Above all things, inspire in your clients confidence that the interest of the client is your first and leading thought, from the beginning to the end of your relations with him and his affairs."
His address is Anderson, South Carolina.
GEORGE LAMB BUIST
B UIST, GEORGE LAMB, lawyer, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, September 4, 1838. He was of Scotch extraction. His earliest ancestor in America was the Reverend George Buist, D. D., who was born in Fifeshire, in Scotland, in 1770, and was graduated at the University of Edin- burgh. He came to Charleston in 1793 upon the call of the Scotch Presbyterian church of Charleston, and became the min- ister of that church. Reverend Doctor Buist was an eminent divine, the author of two volumes of sermons, and was for some time the head of the College of Charleston.
The father of George Lamb Buist was George Buist, and his mother's name was Mary Edwards (Jones) Buist. George Buist was an attorney at law by profession, and held for many years, and until his death, the office of judge of probate, or ordinary, for Charleston county. He was also a trustee on many educational boards, and was one of the commissioners of the Orphan House in Charleston. His marked characteristics were his sterling integrity, a fund of rational common sense, and a wise and honest heart.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was passed in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. His physical condition in childhood and youth was good; he was fond of athletic exercises, and as a boy was devoted to outdoor sports, though his special tastes and interests lay in the lines of reading and public speak- ing and delivery. The influence of his mother was particularly strong upon his intellectual, moral and spiritual life. He had no difficulties to overcome in acquiring an education, but availed himself of the best advantages offered him by the schools and colleges of his native city. His chief line of study was in the classics and rhetoric. A part of his studies were pursued at the New Jersey academy at Burlington, New Jersey. From there he went to the Charleston college. He studied law of his own accord, in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1860. He felt early the necessity for providing for obligations which he had assumed, and applied himself earnestly to the practice of his profession, soon building up a large and
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Truly yours Lenge L. Buesé
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GEORGE LAMB BUIST
lucrative business. He married, early in life, Miss Martha Allston White. They have had ten children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Buist always attributed his success in life to the effect of his early home influences. He has long been a man of mark in his native state and city. When the War between the States broke out, he went into the Confederate States army as a lieutenant of the Palmetto Guards and served in the Iron Battery on Morris Island in command of the eight-inch gun ; afterward he became captain of the Palmetto Guards artillery, and, eventually, rose to the rank of major of artillery, and served in that capacity until the surrender of General Johnston's army.
After the war was over, he returned to the practice of his profession, and having been elected to the South Carolina legis- lature, he served for three years in the house of representatives and for sixteen years was senator from Charleston county. During his service in the house he was chairman of the Ways and Means committee, and after he became senator he served as the chairman of the Finance committee of the senate.
In a recent number of "The News and Courier" the following just tribute was paid to Mr. Buist for one of the greatest services ever performed by him for the community in which he lives and by which he has been highly honored for many years:
"AN INFLUENCE THAT LIVES.
"A community such as Charleston should at all times be represented in the state legislature by her best and ablest men. Whether they are in the minority or the majority, their influence cannot be destroyed, and the work that representatives and senators of this county performed years ago is still bearing fruit. This is strikingly illustrated by the following, taken from a Columbia 'State' editorial of May 25, replying to a correspondent who defended the dispensary :
" 'Does he know that for years a dispensary opponent had no more chance of fair treatment in either the executive or legis- lative branches of the government than a Republican ? Does he remember the metropolitan police in Charleston? Does he remember that magnificent appeal to South Carolinians made in the senate by George Lamb Buist in a vain endeavor to arouse some members of the majority to a realization of the enormity of the offence being perpetrated against the people of Charleston
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GEORGE LAMB BUIST
in depriving them of local self-government? Like an old lion, surrounded by enemies, Major Buist made the greatest speech those halls had heard for twenty years, and probably the greatest they will hear for twenty years to come. And with what result ? The same treatment that would be accorded a wounded lion bravely facing a band of Zulus armed with assegias!'
"The 'metropolitan police' has long since ceased to be other than an unpleasant memory, and not only has the eloquent remonstrance of ex-Senator Buist been fully vindicated, but it remains in the memories of men to be used as an argument in the fight to free the state of the miserable whiskey system which made the metropolitan police possible.
"We risk nothing in saying that throughout South Carolina the ability and courage which Charlestonians displayed in legis- lation, when they were opposed by an overwhelming and enven- omed majority, is recalled with respect and pride by these same opposers whose ears have later been opened to words of truth and soberness."
Other important public services were rendered by Mr. Buist, especially along educational lines. He was a trustee of the Col- lege of Charleston, and was for many years a commissioner of the public schools. Mr. Buist was an enthusiastic Mason, and held the office of master of Franklin lodge. He was always identified with the Democratic party and never changed his political or party allegiance upon any issues. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and was for many years chairman of the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal church, Radcliffeboro, in Charleston. He was always a busy man, and allowed himself little relaxation except an annual trip to Saratoga Springs, New York.
Mr. Buist's philosophy of life consisted in a grateful and contented nature. He believed that to have the approbation of a good conscience and the esteem of all good people was better than riches or worldly eminence.
Since this biography was prepared for the printer, Mr. Buist died about midnight of Thursday, May 30, 1907, at his home in Charleston.
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ELLISON CAPERS
C APERS, ELLISON, D. D., was born in Charleston, South Carolina, October 14, 1837. His parents were William and Susan (McGill) Capers. His father was a distin- guished and eloquent divine of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of its first bishops in the South. He founded the missions of his church to the negroes in South Carolina and wrote a catechism for their use, and also a useful work for the moral training of children. He ably edited the "Southern Christian Advocate," and served efficiently as a missionary to the
Indians in the Southwest. The earliest paternal ancestor to settle in America was William Capers, a Huguenot of France, who had fled to England to escape religious persecution. About the year 1690 he settled upon grants of land from the "Lords Proprietors," in Christ church parish, on the seaboard of South Carolina. Capers Island and inlet were named for this family. William Capers, the grandfather of Ellison Capers, was one of Marion's captains in the Revolution, and his brother, G. Sinclair Capers, also fought under the same great leader. The first ancestor on the maternal side to come to this country emigrated from Ireland and became a farmer in Kershaw county.
The childhood and early youth of Ellison Capers were passed in the city of his birth, but in his twelfth year his father removed to Anderson county, and he was appointed to the arsenal in Columbia. He was graduated from the South Carolina Military academy, Charleston, November 18, 1857. No degree was given then. The stirring address to the class made by his brother, the superintendent, Major Francis W. Capers, made a strong impres- sion upon him. He was of vigorous physique and was especially fond of horses and outdoor exercise, including tasks in the flower and vegetable garden. He served as resident graduate and assistant instructor in mathematics and rhetoric in the Citadel in 1858. His inclination was for the profession of law, and he com- menced the study in the office of Hayne & Miles in Charleston. Upon his return, in 1860, from Winnsboro, where he taught in Mt. Zion academy during the intervening year, he recommenced the study of law. On February 24, 1859, he was married to
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ELLISON CAPERS
Charlotte Rebecca Palmer, fourth daughter of John Gendron and Catherine Cutrurier (Marion) Palmer, 's scion of the distin- guished Dwight family of America, of S .. John's Berkeley, and moved to Winnsboro, South Carolina. In 1860 he was elected professor in the Citadel with the rank of second lieutenant, in which position he was highly regarded by the cadets and his superior officers.
In 1861 he was commissioned major of the First regiment, South Carolina rifles, for the Confederate service, and assisted General Pettigrew in the organization and drill of that splendid command. He commanded the light battery on Sullivan's Island during the siege and bombardment of Fort Sumter. When Colonel Pettigrew resigned, to go to Virginia, Major Capers succeeded to the command. He resigned in 1861 and joined Colonel C. H. Stevens in organizing the Twenty-fourth South Carolina volunteers, as lieutenant-colonel. He did gallant service with that regiment on the coast of South Carolina and at Wilmington, North Carolina, during 1862. On James Island he led a gallant charge in which the One Hundredth Pennsylvania regiment was driven back half a mile and twenty-two of their number captured. This was the first conflict on James Island, which later became the scene of many engagements and skir- mishes. At Secessionville, Colonel Capers received the thanks of Generals Evans and Smith for the gallant service he rendered. In May, 1863, with Gist's brigade, he was ordered to the relief of Vicksburg, where he was in a bloody battle. He commanded the left wing of the brigade from sunrise to midday, being severely wounded in his left leg and his horse killed. At Chicka- mauga he was again severely wounded. In 1863, at Dalton, Georgia, he was promoted colonel, and served with conspicuous gallantry at the head of his regiment. He commanded Gist's brigade in the siege of Atlanta and the battle of Jonesville. At this battle the commanding general complimented him and his brigade for their brilliant deportment against Sherman's assault. In the desperate battle of Franklin, Tennessee, Colonel Capers was a third time severely wounded. In February, 1865, he was promoted brigadier-general. He was assigned to General John- ston's army in North Carolina and placed in command of his old brigade. Throughout the war he had proven in every position his absolute fidelity and devotion to his country's cause.
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