USA > South Carolina > Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Matheson was elected president of the Planters National bank, of Bennettsville, in 1902; was made president of the Union
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ALEXANDER JAMES MATHESON
Savings bank, in 1903; is president of the Marlboro Wholesale Grocery company ; is vice-president and general manager of the Bennettsville and Cheraw railroad, in which he is a large stock- holder; and is directly or indirectly connected with a number of other minor interests. He has been active in the river and harbor improvements of the state, and placed before congress a plan to improve the channel of the Pee Dee river, which is now pending.
From 1863 until the close of the war Mr. Matheson served in the Confederate army. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, an ardent patron of education, and has devoted much time and energy to the promotion of local interests. Starting in life with many heavy handicaps, by close application, promptness in his business relations, unswerving integrity, and strict concen- tration of energy upon the immediate affairs in hand, he has reached a commendable degree of success.
In 1903 he erected a sumptuous residence, surrounded by large grounds, near the center of Bennettsville, which he named "Shiness," in honor of his grandmother's home in Southerland- shire, Scotland. He has made a number of visits to Europe- especially to Scotland-and initiated a movement, in 1904, to induce Scotch immigrants to settle in South Carolina.
On April 20, 1870, Mr. Matheson married Sarah Ellen Jar- nigan, daughter of B. W. Jarnigan and Mary Jarnigan, of Marion county. Nine children were born to this union, eight of whom are now (1907) living.
His address is Bennettsville, Marlboro county, South Caro- lina.
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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MAULDIN
M AULDIN, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, banker, for the year 1904 to 1905 president of the South Carolina Bankers association, is president of the Bank of An- derson, in which town he has resided since his early manhood. He was born in Anderson county on March 24, 1850. His father, whose name was also Benjamin Franklin Mauldin, was a mer- chant and a Baptist minister, and was a member of the Secession convention in 1861,-a business man full of public spirit, and of the strictest integrity of character, he was well known throughout the county, and had a reputation in the state at large. His mother, Mrs. Adaline Tyrrel (Hamilton) Mauldin, had a marked influence upon the character of her son in early boyhood, and has always retained an altogether exceptional place in his memory. She was descended from Archibald Hamilton, who had emigrated from Scotland and married Frances Calhoun. His earliest known ancestor in America on his father's side was Joab Mauldin, who made swords for the Revolutionary soldiers.
He was born in the country and lived for a large part of his boyhood in the village of Williamston. He did not have robust health in his boyhood; but he won a reputation for energy and activity, even as a boy. His earliest inclination was toward the life of a farmer and the pursuit of scientific agriculture. He entered Furman university, at Greenville, South Carolina, but was not graduated, withdrawing at the end of the second year of the course by reason of the lack of funds, the war having "swept away his father's property."
In 1867 as a man he began to support himself, having a position in the internal revenue office at Anderson, South Caro- lina. He almost immediately developed a marked inclination to the study and practice of banking; and in 1872 he was made assistant cashier of the National Bank of Anderson. In 1891 he became cashier of that bank. He organized and became president of the following named banks: the Bank of Due West, the Bank of McCormick, Bank of Hodges, and the Lowndesville bank, as well as of the Bank of Mt. Carmel, the Bank of Trenton, and the Bank of Townville. Having been chosen to organize a state
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bank under the name of the Bank of Anderson, he became presi- dent of that bank in January, 1906,-a position which he still holds. The State Bankers association of South Carolina chose Mr. Mauldin as its president for the year 1904 to 1905.
On May 22, 1872, he was married to Miss Mary E. Reed, and they have had three children, all of whom are living in 1907. He is a Democrat, "of the Grover Cleveland type," of conviction and principle. He finds his amusement and recreation in ama- teur farming, devoting his attention especially to the raising of poultry and of pet stock.
He is a member of the Baptist church, and has for some years held the office of deacon in that church.
His address is 603 North Main street, Anderson, South Carolina.
WILLIAM McINTYRE MONROE
M ONROE, WILLIAM MCINTYRE, of Marion, South Carolina, merchant, was born near the town where he still resides, in Marion county, South Carolina, Decem- ber 3, 1851. His father was a planter, David Monroe, whose Scotch ancestors had bequeathed to him habits of thrift and honesty. His mother was of English descent and made her influ- ence felt in the moral and spiritual life of her son.
It was a healthy boy's life which he passed on his father's farm. "When not in school I worked on my father's farm for several years; and I am sure it was a great help to me. The effect on my character and habits was good," he writes.
The War between the States, beginning when he was a boy of ten, interfered with his systematic education. The impover- ished condition of the country after the war made a college education seem to him impossible of attainment. Country schools, and later a few terms at the school in the town of Marion, com- pleted his education from books.
He was eager to make his way in life; and the first business opening which was offered him, a clerkship in a general mer- chandise store at Marion, he at once accepted. Even in early boyhood he had felt a strong desire to be "independent" in means, but he has never known the ambition to be rich.
From a clerkship he made his way, by faithful attention to duty and fair dealing, to an independent business of his own, and as a merchant of Marion for twenty-three years he has interested himself in all that concerns the welfare of his town and commu- nity. He is interested in the Marion bank, is a stockholder and director of the Marion Cotton mill, vice-president of the Farmers and Merchants bank, and has been a member of the board of directors from the date of its organization.
He is a Democrat in his party politics. In religious convic- tions he is allied with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For recreation and exercise he spends all the time he can take from his business in work upon his farm.
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The advice which he offers young men is encouraging for those who feel themselves without exceptional endowments of any kind. He says: "Make up your mind to do something, and stick to it. Any healthy man will succeed if he attends closely to his business and saves what he makes. Do not spend a dollar until you have earned it and got it."
On May 16, 1882, Mr. Monroe married Mary A. McMillan, daughter of Major S. E. and A. S. McMillan, of Marion. They have had nine children, of whom six are living in 1907.
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THOMAS MOULTRIE MORDECAI
M ORDECAI, THOMAS MOULTRIE, lawyer, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, March 12, 1855. His parents were Thomas Whitlock and Lucretia (Cohen) Mordecai. His father was a merchant, an excellent business man who never cared for public life, but whose mind was cultivated and who gave much of his leisure time to literary pursuits. The earliest ancestor of the family in this country was the great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Moses Mordecai, who was born at Bonn, Germany, and married Elizabeth Whitlock, of London, England, and came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1755.
In childhood and youth Moultrie Mordecai lived in the city. His health was excellent. His tastes and interests centered largely in books, and he was especially fond of Greek and Latin works. He was the youngest of eighteen children, and, as he was only ten years of age when his father died, it was difficult for him to secure an education. But his mother devoted her life to him, and by her aid financial and other obstacles were overcome and he was enabled to pass through the usual collegiate course. He studied at the high school in Charleston, entered the College of Charles- ton, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1873, and received the degree of M. A. in 1877. After graduating from college he studied law for eighteen months in the office of Rutledge & Young in Charleston, and on December 3, 1873, when only eighteen years of age, he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of South Carolina, a special act of the legislature, the first of the kind ever passed, having been obtained to permit him to practice law before attaining his legal majority. By his clear and forceful presentation of his cases, and close attention to business, he soon won the confidence of the court, the members of the bar, and his clients, and by the uprightness of his character he gained the confidence of the community at large. For thirty-three years he has been engaged in the active practice of the law and has been highly successful therein. In addition to a large general practice, he has done a great deal of
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work as a corporation lawyer. He is now the senior member of the firm of Mordecai, Gadsden, Rutledge & Hagood.
The first impulse to strive for the prizes of life came from a desire to support his mother and five sisters and make a name for himself worthy of his ancestors and his people. The choice of his profession was determined by the wishes of his relatives and friends and his own inclination.
In reply to a request that he state the relative strength of the influences of home, school, early companionship, private study and contact with men in active life, upon his own success, Mr. Mordecai says that each had its proper proportion of influence in due course. His principal relaxation, which he is glad to take at every opportunity, is found in reading ancient Greek authors. He is connected with several orders and fraternities, including the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Order of the United Workmen, and I. O. B. B. He has been president of District Grand Lodge, No. 5, I. O. B. B., and in the Masonic order he has been worshipful master of Friendship lodge, No. 9, and high priest of the Carolina chapter, Charleston. In politics he has always been a Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Jews.
In looking over his life he feels that he has been successful, and says that he has "no complaint to make" regarding the out- come of his efforts. He has never held or desired public office, but he has always been deeply interested in the welfare of his city and state. In reply to a request for suggestions as to prin- ciples and methods which in his opinion will help young people to attain true success in life, he says : "Bend every effort to secure a classical education ; never be afraid of work, mental or physical, and never be too proud to be seen doing anything honest."
Mr. Mordecai was married, first, to Annie A. Brooks, who died in 1888; and second, on September 17, 1893, to Gertrude A. Dahl. Of his three children, all are living in 1907.
His residence is Number 93 Rutledge avenue, Charleston, South Carolina.
DANIEL GREEN MORTON
M ORTON, DANIEL GREEN, of Greenville, Greenville county, South Carolina, railroad engineer and railroad manager, was born in Richmond, Virginia, on the 5th of September, 1858. His father, Richard Morton, was a civil engineer in his early life; a man of clear mind, great gentleness of character, and exceptional integrity. His mother, Mrs. Mary Virginia (Green) Morton, was the daughter of Samuel Slaughter, of Culpeper, Virginia.
His early life was passed in Baltimore, Maryland. He had good health and was fond of out-of-door tasks; and he attended with faithfulness, and with interest in his studies, the public schools of Baltimore, completing the course in June, 1887. He studied civil engineering; and he began his work as an engineer in 1888, as rodman on the engineering corps of the old Richmond and Danville railroad, in Western North Carolina. From 1889 to 1891 he served as resident engineer of that railroad. From 1893 to 1896 he was supervisor of the track of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, at Wilmington, Delaware. From 1896 to 1898 he was engaged as engineer and contractor on public work in and around Baltimore. Since July, 1899, he has been president of the Carolina Supply company, Greenville, South Carolina, which deals in cotton mill and factory supplies of all descriptions.
On the 17th of April, 1892, he married Miss Anne Louise Rose, daughter of Arthur Barnwell Rose, of Charleston, South Carolina. They have two children, both of whom are living in 1907.
Mr. Morton is a Democrat, on the tariff issue.
By religious conviction and training he is identified with the Protestant Episcopal church. His favorite forms of recreation are "reading for indoors, and golf for out-of-doors."
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JAMES LANE NAPIER
N APIER, JAMES LANE, physician, was born at Mars Bluff, Florence county, South Carolina, January 2, 1845, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Lane) Napier. He belongs to an old American family of English extraction, which was founded in 1708 by Robert Napier, before the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line he is descended from James Lane, also of English descent, who settled in South Carolina about 1719. His father was a minister of the Baptist church, of pleasant and agreeable manners, good attainments and markedly energetic.
Doctor Napier's childhood and youth were passed in the country, where he received his preliminary education. He was an active youth, healthy and vigorous, and took special delight in outdoor sports and amusements. The chief tragedy of his youth was the death of his mother while he was quite young, and the consequent loss of her influence on his early career. He con- tinued his studies at Mars Bluff academy, 1852-1861, and then entered the Medical College of South Carolina, at Charleston, where he was graduated in 1868 with the degree of M. D. From 1861 to 1865 he served as a Confederate soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia, and participated in all the battles of its important campaigns.
Doctor Napier began the practice of his profession at Blen- heim, Marlboro county, in 1871, and during the last quarter of a century has risen to the foremost rank of the medical profession in that county. In 1895 he was president of the South Carolina Medical association; in 1897 was made a member of the state board of medical examiners, and is at the present (1907) time president of the board. He is also examiner for the principal life insurance companies represented in Marlboro county, and has a wide and varied practice extending into adjacent counties. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious affiliation a member of the Baptist church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
On February 12, 1873, Doctor Napier married Marietta Donaldson, daughter of J. R. and M. A. Donaldson, of Marlboro county. They have had seven children, all of whom are now (1907) living-two daughters and five sons.
His address is Blenheim, Marlboro county, South Carolina.
GOTTLOB AUGUSTUS NEUFFER
N EUFFER, GOTTLOB AUGUSTUS, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Orangeburg, Orangeburg county, March 14, 1861. His father, Gottlob Augustus Neuffer, a merchant, came to this country in 1838 from Basing- heim, Wurtemburg, Germany, and settled in Charleston. He was a man of marked energy and perseverance, social in disposition, of liberal heart, and a great reader. His mother, Maria Louisa Neuffer, was the daughter of Christian David Happoldt, who also came to this country from Wurtemburg. She exerted a strong influence upon the moral, spiritual and intellectual life of her son, who, in looking back over his life, names his mother as the source of his first strong impulse to strive for success.
Under happy home influences Gottlob Neuffer grew up in a village and city to be a strong and healthy boy. He attended the primary schools in Orangeburg, and later the Bennet school in Charleston. When eleven years old-as circumstances compelled him to earn his own livelihood-he found employment in a drug store. Although his school training ceased early, his natural fondness for reading and study, under the direction of his mother, enabled him to become one of America's many self-educated men. In 1879, although one year under the required age, he passed the examination of the state board of pharmaceutical examiners and was granetd a license as pharmacist. Three years later he entered the Medical College of South Carolina, from which institution he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of M. D., ranking third in a class of twenty-two.
After leaving college he served for one year as house surgeon in the city hospital of Charleston. In 1885 he began his profes- sional career as physician and surgeon in Abbeville. In 1901 he supplemented his course at the medical college by a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic. Apart from his professional career, Doctor Neuffer has taken an active interest in public affairs. He is an alderman of Abbeville, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Knights of Honor, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been grand chancellor and supreme representative for South Carolina in the Knights of
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Pythias, and is now (1907) deputy grand master of the Grand Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has also taken an active part in the state militia, and was surgeon-general on Governor Heyward's staff. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Methodist.
In reviewing his life, Doctor Neuffer declares that home, private study, early companionship, contact with men, and school training, each in the order named, have been of greatest impor- tance in shaping his career; and to all young men, whom the story of his success may inspire, he says: "Prompt discharge of duty, systematic study, and perseverance in purpose, will bring success."
Doctor Neuffer has been married twice: First, in 1889, to Annie Arnett Hemphill, daughter of Senator R. R. Hemphill; and in 1902, to Florence Rebecca Henry, daughter of Francis Henry, of Abbeville. Gottlob Augustus Neuffer, third, is the son of his first wife, and his two daughters and one son are the children of his second marriage.
His address is Abbeville, South Carolina.
GEORGE WILLIAMS NICHOLS
N ICHOLLS, GEORGE WILLIAMS, was born December 5, 1849, on a farm on Tyger river, in Spartanburg county, South Carolina. His father was George Nicholls, farmer and surveyor, and sheriff of Spartanburg county in 1843; his mother, Catherine M. (Crook) Nicholls, died before he was five years old. His family is known to have been in South Carolina since 1760, when George Nicholls and James Crook, his grand- fathers, were farmers on Tyger river, in Spartanburg county ; another grandfather, Captain Andrew Barry, commanded a com- pany in the American army in the War of the Revolution.
He spent his time entirely in the country until he was of age, and was always robust and strong. He attended the country schools as frequently and as long as he could; later he went to Furman university. In 1870 he commenced teaching school in Spartanburg, and continued for three years. Having decided to become a lawyer, he read law in his spare time while teaching. He then entered the office of Evins & Boman, Spartanburg, and under them completed the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1876, and at once began to practice. In the fall of the same year he was elected probate judge of Spartanburg county, a position in which he served for five terms (ten years) with credit to himself and satisfaction to the bar and to those having business before the court. His decisions are noted for common sense and a thorough knowledge of law. Since his admission to the bar he has practiced law with marked success.
He is among the most public-spirited citizens of Spartanburg and is always ready to perform any duty of good citizenship. He has served as chairman of the board of stewards of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, South; as chairman of the board of school trustees of Spartanburg; and he is a trustee of Converse college, Spartanburg. He is a Mason and has served as worship- ful master of Spartanburg lodge. In politics he is and has always been a Democrat. He is quiet and unassuming, always courteous and always ready to assist those in need, and is generally liked.
On May 29, 1884, he was married to Minnie L. Jones, daugh- ter of Reverend Samuel B. Jones, D. D. Of their five children, all are living in 1907.
His address is 249 East Main street, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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JOHN WILKINS NORWOOD
N FORWOOD, JOHN WILKINS, banker, was born in Hartsville, Darlington county, South Carolina, March 18, 1865. His parents were George Alexander and Mary Louisa (Wilkins) Norwood. His father was a banker, a man of independent spirit, at once frank and modest, and an able financier. His mother was a woman of culture and refinement. Her father, Reverend Samuel B. Wilkins, was an able and honored Baptist minister in South Carolina. One of the paternal ancestors was John Norwood, who, about 1770, moved to Darlington district, South Carolina, from Warren county, North Carolina. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war and served in General Francis Marion's brigade. The North Carolina Norwoods claim descent from Colonel Henry Norwood, who settled in Virginia about 1660 and who was appointed treasurer of Virginia by Charles the Second.
In his early years John Norwood enjoyed good health. With the exception of two months each year he lived in a city. He had no regular tasks to perform, and the only difficulty he met in obtaining an education was a distaste for books until he was about seventeen years of age. He attended the schools of Charleston, to which city his parents removed in his early years, was a cadet for one year at the South Carolina Military academy, and later studied at Wake Forest college, North Carolina, and Richmond college, Virginia, but he did not graduate from either of these institutions. As his tastes were for a business rather than for a professional career, he entered, in December, 1884, the employ of G. A. Norwood & Company, cotton and naval stores commission merchants, where he remained until April, 1887, and thoroughly learned the details of business. During this period he carried on for himself a small note brokerage business. On the date last named he became cashier of the Peoples bank, of Greenville, South Carolina, and six months later was elected president of the Greenville Savings bank. He was then in his twenty-third year and was supposed to be the youngest bank president in the United States. His skill as a financier soon became apparent, and his reputation spread beyond the bounds of the state. In 1892 he resigned from the Savings bank and organized and became presi-
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dent of the Atlantic National bank, of Wilmington, North Caro- lina, which position he held until 1902. He was president of the City National bank, of Greenville, South Carolina, from 1903 to February, 1906, when he retired from office and disposed of his interest in the bank in order to organize the Greenville Savings and Trust company, of which he was president. On July 1, 1907, this company was succeeded by the Norwood National bank, of Greenville, of which Mr. Norwood is president. Since 1894 he has been president of the Wilmington Savings and Trust company, Wilmington, North Carolina, and since 1898 he has been president of the Blue Ridge National bank, of Asheville, North Carolina. He is also vice-president of the American Spin- ning company, Greenville, South Carolina, and is a director in various corporations. The institutions with which he has been closely identified have grown rapidly and been prosperous in every respect.
In the choice of his life work Mr. Norwood followed his own inclination. Of the books that have helped him in fitting for and in carrying it on he names works on commercial law, such as contracts, and negotiable instruments, as of great importance. He keeps well informed not only regarding business affairs, but also concerning topics of general interest. He thinks and speaks rapidly, and when he has the facts he decides questions without hesitation. He has never taken up any form of physical culture, but believes in outdoor exercise and delights in driving and in horseback riding. He takes pleasure in reading history, biogra- phy, political economy, fiction and poetry. In politics he is a Democrat, but he refused to support the Chicago platform, and since 1896 he has voted for the Republican presidential nominees. In reply to a request for suggestions, drawn from his own expe- rience and observation, which will help young people, he says that integrity, industry and economy are essential to the attain- ment of true success in life. And these, it may be added, are the principles which he adopted and in following which he has won a brilliant success.
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