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 19
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Of his boyhood Mr. Stoll writes: "I was an ordinary South Carolina boy, hearty, vigorous, full of fun and fond of outdoor sports, fishing being my favorite sport. My boyhood days were spent in town and country, after the fashion of a preacher's son. I was the wood-cutter, the cow-milker, the horse-feeder, the garden-worker and the errand-boy. I was taught to work with my hands. Difficulties which beset me were an aid to my educa- tion. My father lived in the country until I was fourteen, and my school days were passed there. When I entered a good town school, and was made to feel my backwardness, I determined to improve my opportunities, and I studied hard. At eighteen I was ready for college, but I could not attend colloge for want of funds. After losing two years, I finally entered Wofford college in the spring of 1887.
"My father's assistance, and rigid economy on my part, allowed me to complete the course, and I was graduated in the
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class of 1890 with the degree of A. B., with a creditable standing and some honors, having been president of one of the literary societies and winning the alumni science medal in my senior year. After graduation I taught in the city schools of Orangeburg. I was principal of the Orangeburg graded schools, and later of the Kingstree academy, as it was then called, and at other places, for several years, in the meantime taking the degree of A. M. from Wofford college with the view of making teaching my profession. The school room proved to be too confining for my health, and I gave up teaching and began the study of law." In 1902, with his brother, P. H. Stoll, Esquire, he opened an office in Kingstree for the practice of his profession, having been admitted to the bar in 1901.
In reply to the question, "What particularly determined you in the choice of your profession ?" he writes: "The desire to be a useful and respected citizen-to be something and to do some- thing." Whatever moral force marks his character, Mr. Stoll attributes to the influence of his home and his parents; and private study has steadily contributed to such success as he has attained in his profession. Throughout his life he has "tried to understand and to avoid the mistakes of others."
Mr. Stoll is a lawyer by profession; but he is also a banker, and he is practically interested in farming. He helped to organ- ize the Bank of Williamsburg, the largest banking house in Williamsburg county, and since 1906 he has been president of this bank. His law firm, Stoll & Stoll, acts as solicitors for the bank.
At college he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat and has never swerved in his allegi- ance to that organization. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Stoll has never married.
He does not rely upon any particular form of sport or exer- cise for relaxation from business; but he writes: "When I tire of office work I go to my farm, and the change and the exercise always prove beneficial."
The confidence and esteem felt by his fellow-citizens for Mr. Stoll have found expression in his election as mayor of Kingstree in 1903 to fill out an unexpired term, and in his reelection by a large majority in 1905 for the full term, in which he is still serving. As mayor, his administration has been marked by a
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progressive and liberal policy, encouraging all the sound enter- prises which have been established at Kingstree.
To the young people of South Carolina he offers these sen- tences for consideration : "Our country has the possibilities of a paradise, if they are properly used. What we need is honest work and honest economy, with the purpose to make men and not to make dollars. Money should be subservient to man, not man to money."
CHARLES EDWARD SUMMER
S UMMER, CHARLES EDWARD, merchant, was born in Lexington county, South Carolina, November 18, 1858. His parents were George W. and Martha D. Summer. His father was a farmer, who served in the Confederate army and died in a hospital in Virginia, July 13, 1862. His mother was a woman of exemplary life, who exerted a strong and benefi- cent influence upon the intellectual and moral nature of her son. His earliest known ancestors in this country came from Germany and settled in that part of Lexington county, South Carolina, which is now known as Dutch Fork.
As a boy, Charles Summer was strong and active. He took a lively interest in the outdoor sports common in the country, in which his childhood was passed. He early evinced both a liking and an aptitude for agriculture and the performance of helpful duties around the farm in boyhood taught him lessons of perse- verance and endurance which have been of great benefit to him in later years. There were many difficulties in the way of his securing an education. It is well known that in the poverty- stricken condition of his state immediately after the war the country schools, which were the only ones he could attend, were of but indifferent character. Then, too, even in early youth, his time was mainly spent at work on his father's farm. Conse- quently he had but little leisure for study or for general reading. The Bible constituted the greater part of his own library, and there were but comparatively few books which he could borrow from his friends. Much as he desired a college education, circum- stances placed it entirely beyond his reach.
The active work of life was begun in 1877, when, although but nineteen years of age, he engaged in farming in Lexington county. Here he remained until 1888, when, in quest of a larger field and in hope of securing a higher degree of success, he became a merchant in Newberry. He began business in a small way, but it rapidly grew in extent and importance until it became a conspicuous success. Meanwhile Mr. Summer was rapidly rising in public esteem. He had identified himself with the interests of the town and become prominent in its affairs. He is now a
Men of Mark Publishing Company Washington, DC
yours Truly Charles Sie Summer
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director in several business enterprises, including the Mollohon Manufacturing company, the Newberry Warehouse company, and the Newberry Land and Security company. He is vice-president of the two companies last named, and is secretary and treasurer of the Newberry Warehouse company. He has served two terms as alderman of Newberry, and since 1901 he has been a commis- sioner of public works.
Mr. Summer was married, first, on January 1, 1877, to Leonora Sease, who died in 1884; and second, on January 2, 1886, to her sister, Mary Jane Sease. Of the three children by the first marriage and six by the second, all except one are living in 1907.
Always fond of outdoor life, Mr. Summer finds his principal relaxation in hunting and fishing. In politics he is a Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church, of which he is a prominent member. He believes in the practical virtues of industry and economy and in doing with one's might the task which falls to his lot. Temperance and fidelity to principle and to duty have been essential elements in his own life and are heartily commended to others. And as an important aid to substantial success he notes the habit of saving, which many successful men have found to be one of the first requisites to business prosperity.
His address is Newberry, South Carolina.
GEORGE WALTER SUMMER
S UMMER, GEORGE WALTER, the son of George W. Summer and Martha D. Summer, was born at Lexington, Lexington county, South Carolina, July 15, 1861. As noted in the biography of his older brother, Charles E. Summer, his father was a farmer, who served in the Confederate army in the War between the States and died in a hospital in Virginia when George was but one year old. The family ancestors emi- grated to America from Germany about 1775, on the eve of the American Revolution.
Young Summer enjoyed robust physical health as a child; he lived in the country and early developed an interest in labor- ing and saving for the future. To this habit much of his later success is no doubt due.
The influence of his mother was particularly strong on the development of his intellectual, moral and spiritual life. His early educational advantages were meager, being limited to those afforded by the country schools; the opportunities of college training were also denied him. At the age of twenty-three he determined to enter upon a mercantile career; and in November, 1884, he began, on his own responsibility, the serious work of life as a merchant at Newberry city.
Mr. Summer has since been active in the business circles of his community, and has held the following offices: President of the Mollohon Manufacturing company; president of the New- berry Warehouse company; director in the Commercial Bank of Newberry; director in the Southern Trust company, in Spartan- burg; director in the Security Loan and Investment company, Newberry; trustee of the Newberry graded school. In the latter position he served about five years. Mr. Summer is also a master Mason, and belongs to the Newberry lodge of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Summer has through life been a member of the party of Jefferson and Jackson; in religion he is a Lutheran. His favorite relaxation is the companionship of his family after the close of the labors of the day. The degree of his success has been to him a source of gratification and surprise. His advice to
Men of Mark Publishing Co Washington, D C.
yours Truly
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young men is to resolve to be something and to do something; and do it. Determination, perseverance and persistency are, in his judgment, cardinal virtues, and he believes that "in the bright lexicon of youth" there should be no such word as "fail."
On October 13, 1881, he was married to Miss Polly L. Long. Of their ten children, seven are now (1907) living. His mother, and his two brothers, C. E. and J. H. Summer, are living.
His address is Newberry, South Carolina.
ANDREW JACKSON SPEARS THOMAS
T HOMAS, ANDREW JACKSON SPEARS, D. D., was born near Bennettsville, South Carolina, December 14, 1852. He is the son of Rev. J. A. W. Thomas and Mar- garet (Spears) Thomas. His father was a prominent and useful minister of the Gospel widely known and abundantly loved and honored not only in the Palmetto State but throughout the South. He was a gallant soldier in the Confederate army, serving as captain of Company F in the Twenty-first South Carolina regi- ment of volunteers. He was a man of notable physical vigor, mental strength and clearness, devoted to duty, public-spirited, and patriotic. His active ministry continued for nearly fifty years in the county in which he was born and reared. The earliest known American ancestor of this Thomas family was Tristram Thomas, who was born in Wales about 1674.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on his father's farm in Marlboro county, South Carolina. Here he engaged in such tasks and recreations as a wholesome boy would naturally be expected to enjoy. Ploughing, hoeing, driving the wagon, chopping wood, and like homely duties, aided in the development of his physical powers.
At an early age he attended the local schools at Bennettsville, and later took a college course at Furman university. Having decided to give his life to the work of preaching, he took a full course in the Southern Baptist Theological seminary, graduating therefrom in 1879.
Doctor Thomas began his active work as a minister in Bates- burg, South Carolina, January 1, 1880. Since then he has held the following pastorates in the state and for the periods men- tioned : Batesburg, 1880-1883; First Baptist church, Charleston, 1883-July, 1887; Orangeburg, July, 1887-May, 1891. In May, 1891, he became part owner and editor of the "Baptist Courier," the organ of the Baptists of the state, and in this responsible post he still (1907) serves.
Doctor Thomas has held during his long and active life only one public office, that of supervisor of the census in 1900 for the
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counties of Oconee, Greenville, Pickens, Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Laurens.
As a minister, Doctor Thomas was acceptable and effective in all the fields he occupied, but his main work has been done during his editorial career, which has already extended over quite fifteen years.
Under his guidance the "Baptist Courier" has been a strong, clean, fearless paper. Loyal to the doctrines and practices of the denomination for which it stands, it has at the same time been free from all rancor and bitterness toward those of different communions. In the many controversies through which it has passed it has preserved an unbroken and dignified freedom from offensive personalities. Published in one of the most intensely Southern of the states of the South, it has been in line with all that was best in the olden life and traditions of its people, but it has never encouraged, either by its publications or by its silence on public issues, the spirit of sectional hate. Its spirit has been both conservative and progressive. The marked ability with which the paper has been edited, the force of its editorials, and the skill with which its news has been gathered and served to the public, have given it standing and influence far beyond the confines of the state in which it is published. Behind the paper is always, whether it is named prominently or not, the person- ality of the editor. There is no such thing as impersonal jour- nalism. An impersonal journal is a mere bulletin. From what has been said of his paper a fair estimate of Doctor Thomas may be obtained-as a man of robust convictions, fearless temper, kindly heart, a strong sense of personal dignity, wide and gener- ous sympathies. As a writer he is simple, lucid, direct, plain almost to a fault. He cares little for the graces of writing, has few fancies, but usually knows just what he wishes to say and says it without parleying and without circumlocution.
In private life Doctor Thomas is companionable and has a host of devoted friends who are ready to defend him from attack or support him in his honorable ambitions. These ambitions, however, do not include any rewards for himself. He is best content when he is serving others.
He reckons as the most influential force in shaping his life the lovely Christian home in which he was reared and in which the example and spirit of a singularly noble mother, rich in
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intellectual, moral and spiritual gifts, combined with the ripe wisdom and seasoned grace of his father to impress indelibly his youthful heart.
Next to this was his life at school, which brought him into close contact with some rare and admirable men, who have helped to mold thousands of young men in the South, and, indeed, throughout the land. He himself acknowledges a large debt also to the men with whom he has come into association in his active life.
Doctor Thomas was married August 21, 1877, to Miss Isabelle Roempke, daughter of Alfred and Jessie Robertson, of Charles- ton, South Carolina. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are now (1907) living.
Doctor Thomas' address is Greenville, South Carolina.
Men of Mark Publishing Company Washington, D.C.
yours truly W. H. Timmerman
WASHINGTON HODGES TIMMERMAN
T IMMERMAN, WASHINGTON HODGES, M. D., physician, farmer, banker, and legislator, was born in Edgefield district (now county), South Carolina, May 29, 1832. His parents were Ransom and Lydia (Bledsoe) Tim- merman. His father was a successful farmer, a man of sober, industrious and frugal habits, who, though his own education was limited, gave his children, eight in number, such advantages as could be obtained in the local schools. He also trained his sons to perform the various forms of labor incident to farm life. To the habits of industry thus formed in early life Doctor Timmer- man justly attributes much of the success which has attended his career. His mother was a woman of great worth, whose influence on the moral and spiritual life of her son has been felt throughout his long and useful life. The earliest known paternal ancestor of the family in this country was Jacob Timmerman, who came from Germany and settled in Newberry county, South Carolina, soon after the Revolutionary war.
As a boy, the subject of this sketch, though not strong, enjoyed good health. He was of a rather serious turn of mind, with a fondness for books and a thirst for knowledge, which the lack of a well-stocked library gave him but limited means of gratifying. However, he always took a high stand in his classes at the "old field" schools which he attended, and was marked for his quiet, studious habits. He completed his academic studies at Hodge's institute, Greenwood, Abbeville district, South Carolina, leaving that institution in 1851, after being prepared to enter the sophomore class at South Carolina college. The following year, in accordance with his own preference and his father's wishes, he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of the late Dr. John G. Williams, in the meanwhile teaching a country school in Edgefield district for about eight months. In the spring of 1854 he was graduated at the Medical College of the State of South Carolina, Charleston, and in November of the same year he began the practice of his chosen profession in what is known as the Philippi section of Edgefield county. Here he pursued his vocation with gratifying success until 1873, with the exception
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of an interim, during which he was engaged, with most of his fellow-citizens of the South, in fighting the battles of the Con- federacy in the War between the States. As a soldier he served with conspicuous courage and gallantry, and won the rank of a commissioned officer of the line, becoming first lieutenant and afterwards captain in Company K, Nineteenth South Carolina regiment. In July, 1862, he was compelled to give up military service on account of ill health, but entered military service again in 1864 as captain of Company B, Second regiment of state troops.
Along with the practice of medicine, Doctor Timmerman con- ducted successful farming operations, and in 1884 he gave up the professional practice of medicine altogether. In 1882, through the solicitation of his friends and neighbors, Doctor Timmerman allowed himself to be voted for as a member of the South Caro- lina house of representatives and was elected by a highly com- plimentary vote. He served for two years, and in 1890 he was again elected to the same office without being a candidate, the only incident of such a character in the history of Edgefield county. In 1891, the state senator from that county having died, Doctor Timmerman resigned as a member of the house of repre- sentatives and became a successful candidate for the unexpired term in the senate. He was reelected for a full term as senator in 1892, and at the reorganization of the senate in that year he was made president pro tempore. Lieutenant-Governor Eugene B. Gary, having been elevated to an associate justiceship of the supreme court, resigned his position as lieutenant-governor at the close of the legislative session of 1893, and Doctor Timmerman succeeded to the vacancy. He was elected lieutenant-governor in 1894, and served in that capacity for two years. In 1895 he was a member of the constitutional convention, and in 1896 and again in 1898 he was elected state treasurer without opposition, serving as such for four years. In 1902 he was an unsuccessful candidate for governor.
As a financier, Doctor Timmerman has been called upon, not only to act in the public capacity of state treasurer, but as a private citizen he has been the chief executive officer of several banks. He has been identified with the Farmers bank, of Edge- field, ever since its organization, and was its first president, a position in which he served without salary. He was for several
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years connected with the Farmers and Mechanics bank, of Colum- bia, and when what is now known as the State bank of Columbia was organized he was made its president. He resigned that position in 1900, when he accepted the presidency of the First National bank, of Batesburg, which he held until 1905, when he assisted in organizing the Citizens bank, of Batesburg, of which he is now president. In party affiliation Doctor Timmerman has always been a Democrat. By denominational preference he is a Baptist, and has been prominent in the councils of that church, having acted as treasurer and moderator of the Edgefield Baptist association.
Doctor Timmerman was married, first, in 1856, to Pauline F. T. Asbill, who died in 1873; and second, in May, 1879, to Henrietta Bell. Six children by the first marriage, and two by the second, were living in 1907. Of these, two are physicians and one is a lawyer who is now solicitor of the fifth judicial district of South Carolina. The wife and all the children are members of the Baptist church.
In all the relations of life, public and private, Doctor Tim- merman has been guided by a high sense of duty and honor. He has always been mindful of the rights of others, and by his kindly interest, faithful service and fine example he has commanded the respect and won the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances and friends. His prominence in the affairs of his state has not been due to self-seeking, or to a desire for position or notoriety, but has resulted from the recognition of his merit as a man and a citizen by those with whom he has long associated and among whom he has lived.
ARTHUR SMYLY TOMPKINS
T OMPKINS, ARTHUR SMYLY, farmer and lawyer, of Edgefield, South Carolina, was born at Meeting Street postoffice, Edgefield county, South Carolina, March 31, 1854. His father, DeWitt Clinton Tompkins, was a physician who served as magistrate in his county, and in the War between the States was captain of Company K, Fourteenth South Caro- lina regiment,-a man who is remembered for his amiability and his conversational powers. His mother, Mrs. Hannah Virginia (Smyly) Tompkins, was a woman of exceptionally strong mind, of good business ability, and a strong Christian character, whose influence over her son has continued strong throughout his life. Her earliest known American ancestor was Colonel James Smyly, born in Ireland, who came to South Carolina about 1785. His father is descended from Captain Stephen Tompkins, who raised and commanded a company of cavalry in the Revolutionary war. His boyhood was passed in the country. Until thirteen he was robust and vigorous; but after that age his health was delicate. Even in early boyhood he was required to do some regular work on the farm. He says: "It hardened my muscles and gave me a tough constitution." While still a boy he became passionately fond of three books: the Bible, Shakespeare, and Virgil. He attended the country schools of Edgefield, and entering the South Carolina university at Columbia, he was graduated in 1872.
His father had made easy for him the way to a liberal edu- cation, providing him with ample funds. After completing the undergraduate course at the University of South Carolina, he took a two-years' course in law at the law school of Columbia university, at Washington, District of Columbia. He then read law for a year in the office of Frank H. Miller, Esq., at Augusta, Georgia, where he was admitted to the bar, June 15, 1875. He opened a law office the same summer in Augusta, Georgia, where he resided until 1876. In 1879 he settled in Edgefield, Edgefield county, where he has since divided his time and attention between the practice of law and farming. Of the occupations and expe- rience of a South Carolina lawyer in the rural districts, Mr. Tompkins gives his impressions in these words: "A lawyer in a
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country town is a sort of waste-basket for all the petty ills and quarrels of the country around him, and must be a man of all sorts of capacities, who will not mind interruption; he must often undertake the hard task of trying to explain to his client how he lost his case. But a country lawyer has a heap of leisure and a lot of fun."
Mr. Tompkins was married, June 15, 1880, to Lizzie D. Hol- stein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moses N. Holstein, of Ridge Spring, both of whom are still living in the house into which they moved when they were married fifty-four years ago. They have had several children, but during all this long period the family circle has not been broken by death. The father of Mrs. Holstein was Allen Dozier, a wealthy planter who was noted for his piety and whose home was near Big Creek, in what is now Saluda county. They have had nine children, of whom eight are living in 1907. Mr. Tompkins has contented himself with attempting to discharge the duties of a private citizen, and he has never held or aspired to hold any official position. In college he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. He is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight of Honor. In his church relations he is affiliated with the Baptists. He finds his favorite exercise in walking, swimming and hunting.
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