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 7
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Doctor Elzas has been chaplain of the Actors' Church alli- ance, having its headquarters in New York city. He is a Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Independent Order of B'nai Brith. He has held the position of thrice illustrious master of Enoch Council, No. 1, A. F. and A. M., and also that of deputy president for South Carolina of the Independent Order of B'nai Brith.
Doctor Elzas has for the past twelve years been a prolific and valued contributor to Jewish publications. His historical researches in unexplored fields, notably the early history of the Jews in South Carolina, have given him an honored place among contemporary Jewish historians. Among his many publications the following may be mentioned: "Judaism-an Exposition"; "The Jews of South Carolina from the Earliest Times to the Present Day"; "Documents Relative to a Proposed Settlement of Jews in South Carolina in 1748"; "Old Jewish Cemeteries"; "A Review of the Article 'Charleston' in Volume III of the Jewish Encyclopedia"; "The Elzas-Huhner Controversy"; "A History of the Congregation of Beth Elohim, of Charleston, South Carolina, 1800-1810"; "A Century of Judaism in South Carolina"; and "Leaves from My Historical Scrap Book."
Doctor Elzas is particularly interested in all matters relating to higher education in South Carolina. He believes the trend of events to point clearly to the restoration of political leadership to that state. This, in his judgment, can be brought about only by the citizens of South Carolina doing their duty in the matter of higher education in the state. His views on this subject he has embodied in an address made at the Centennial celebration of South Carolina college, and highly commended by the press. He believes the material prosperity of the state in the future will largely depend upon the attitude of the citizens of South Caro- lina on this question. He is likewise very much interested in
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BARNETT ABRAHAM ELZAS
the questions of the upbuilding of an industrial Charleston. His thought on this subject was brought out (January 18, 1905,) in an address in response to the toast, "The City of Charleston," before the German Friendly society.
Doctor Elzas's relaxation is literature and gardening. His motto is:
"Men say I've failed; I have not failed. If I've brought truth to men they'd not receive, 'Tis they have failed, not I."
To the young he says: "Work for work's sake, irrespective of material gain or success. True success comes not as the result of ambition to grasp it. Material success may never come, but faithful effort is in itself its own ample reward. The greatest blight on the American character today is the inordinate grasping after immediate results." Doctor Elzas's biography has been published in the American Jewish Year Book (1903, page 52,) and in the Jewish Encyclopedia (Volume V).
On June 25, 1890, he was married to Miss Annie Samuel, daughter of Reverend Isaac Samuel, of London, England. They have had three children, one of whom is now (1907) living.
His address is Charleston, South Carolina.
Respek
D Evans
WILLIAM DEWITT EVANS
E VANS, WILLIAM DEWITT, planter, member of the legislature from 1886 to 1890, state senator from 1890 to 1894, and chairman of the board of railroad commis- sioners of South Carolina from 1895 to 1901, was born at Society Hill, South Carolina, July 31, 1849. His father, Samuel Wilds Evans, was a planter, a member of the legislature from Chester- field county, who is described by his son as "candid, positive, a man of strong convictions, but kindly and gentle in his nature." His mother, Mrs. Alexina (Wallace) Evans, was the daughter of Andrew Wallace, of Columbia, South Carolina, who came from Scotland to South Carolina, about 1790, and married Sarah Patrick, of Virginia. His father's family is of Welsh descent, and Thomas Evans, who came from Wales to Pennsylvania in 1700, and removed to Welsh Neck, South Carolina, in 1736, is his earliest known ancestor in America. Through his paternal grandmother William DeWitt Evans is descended from William DeWitt, who was a son of Martin DeWitt, who came from Holland to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and settled in Darlington county, South Carolina, in 1760. William DeWitt served in the Revolutionary war as captain under General Marion. Judge Josiah James Evans, his grandfather, lawyer and jurist, elected United States senator from South Carolina in 1852, is one of the distinguished members of this family.
Born in the country, passing a healthy boyhood in country life, William DeWitt Evans says of himself that he was "fond of the society of his mother, his sisters and other girls"; and that he found delight through his boyhood in horseback riding and hunting. He adds: "I made my own money after I was eleven years old by working at odd times on a little farm which was set aside for me by my father."
After a few years of study at St. David's academy at Society Hill, in Darlington county, he was compelled to quit school when but sixteen to engage in the active work of life. In 1867, when but eighteen years old, he became the manager of his father's plantation in Marlboro county. The wishes of his parents and his own personal preference inclined him to the life of a planter,
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while love of country and family pride impelled him to the service of his state and his country. By conviction a member of the Demo- cratic party, in 1878 he was chosen president of the Bennettsville. Democratic club, and he was reelected to that office for twenty years until 1898, when he declined reelection. From 1890 to 1902 he was chairman of the Democratic executive committee of Marl- boro county; and from 1890 to the present time (1907) he has been a member of the State Democratic executive committee. He was chosen a member of the house of representatives from Marlboro county for two terms, serving from 1886 to 1889. In 1889 he was chosen state senator, serving for four years until 1894. In 1895 he was elected a member of the railroad commis- sion of South Carolina; and he served as chairman of that board from 1895 to 1901. As a member of the constitutional convention of South Carolina in 1895 he was chairman of the committee on finance and taxation.
Many friends who admired the character and the public services of Mr. Evans, and who had felt the power of his forceful speeches, urged that he make a canvass of the state as a candidate for governor, but this he declined to do. He says: "I have never desired high political honors; and I have taken the positions which I have accepted only with the hope of making the com- munity better for my having lived in it. I do not consider life a failure because a fortune has not been made in money, or because high political honors have not been won."
Besides the political positions and offices already referred to, Mr. Evans has received proof of the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens in his choice to other positions of prominence and trust. He was president of the Farmers' Alliance of South Caro- lina from 1891 to 1892. He was president of the Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina from 1901 to 1902. From 1893 to 1896 he was a trustee of the Methodist Female college; from 1890 to 1895 he served as trustee of the South Caro- lina college; and since 1898 he has been a trustee of the Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical college.
He is affiliated with the Episcopal church. His favorite form of exercise is horseback riding.
He was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Pegues, daughter of Colonel B. F. Pegues, of Marlboro county, December 17, 1873. Of their twelve children, ten are living in 1907.
Mr. Evans' address is Cheraw, South Carolina.
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yours Truly John A. Fant
JOHN ALEXANDER FANT
F ANT, JOHN ALEXANDER, merchant and mill president, was born in Union, Union county, South Carolina, April 22, 1857. His parents were David J. and Nancy A. (McJunkin) Fant. His father, a planter, was noted for his honesty, sobriety and industry. His mother was descended from Joseph McJunkin, a major in the War of 1812.
In his boyhood and youth John Fant was well and strong. His home was in the village in which he was born, and he had no tasks to perform which involved manual labor. He attended the common schools in Union until he was fifteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a country store. He retained this position for ten years, and then became a merchant. In this business, which he followed for twenty-five years, and in which he is still engaged, he has been quite successful. During the last five years he has been president and treasurer of the Monarch mills at Union. His good judgment and executive ability have made the mills a great success and won for Mr. Fant a prominent position among the cotton manufacturers of this state.
He has never sought public office, but for six terms he served as mayor of the town of Union, and for some years was chairman of its board of school trustees. He is also a trustee of Furman university. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Commercial club of Charleston. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.
In the choice of an occupation Mr. Fant was governed by the wishes of his parents. The first strong impulse to strive for the prizes of life seems to have come from a desire which manifested itself in his early years to make a name for himself and accom- plish something for the good of mankind. Among the various influences which have greatly aided him in his efforts to succeed, he names that of home as the most important. In response to a request that he would offer suggestions which he thinks would help ambitious young people in their efforts to become known and useful in the world, he advises them to choose "honesty, punctuality, truthfulness, sobriety and industry," as the guiding principles of their lives.
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JOHN ALEXANDER FANT
Mr. Fant was married to Ora Wilkes, April 27, 1881. Of their four children, all are now (1907) living.
Since the above sketch was prepared for the printer Mr. Fant died suddenly at his home in Union on September 24, 1907.
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yours Truly
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FRANCIS MARION FARR
F ARR, FRANCIS MARION, as merchant, manufacturer and banker, is connected with most of the leading cor- porations and business enterprises of Union county, South Carolina. He was born in that county, January 17, 1843, the son of a planter, James Farr, who had been county treasurer of Union county, and was a man "of great energy and good judgment, and very popular in his county." His mother, Mrs. Parmelia (Sharp) Farr, laid deep and strong the foundations of her son's intellectual and moral life; and the influence of her memory has been strong through all these years. His ancestors have been for several generations residents of Virginia and Maryland, and several of the Farrs were in the army of the united colonies in the Revolutionary war.
Born in the country, having good health throughout his boyhood, he was early taught to labor on a farm, and he says: "It gave me good health and activity and energy."
At the Male academy, at Union, South Carolina, he pursued studies preparatory to a more advanced course to be taken at Charleston, and entering the South Carolina Military academy, of that city, he was graduated in April, 1863.
But one course seemed natural to the boys and young men who were studying at the Charleston Military institute in 1863; and as was to be expected, immediately upon his graduation he entered the Confederate service. First as a private, and later as captain of Company H of the Fifteenth South Carolina volunteers, he served until the close of the war. He then engaged in the work of teaching school and of farming for four years. On January 1, 1869, he began his business career as a merchant at Union, South Carolina. He says that his first strong deter- mination to strive for success in life came from "seeing what men had accomplished by persistent effort; and this determined me to try myself to accomplish something in life. I felt a great desire, too, to do some good for my fellow-men."
His business career began as a member of the firm of John Rodger & Company. His later connections have been with the firms of Harris & Farr, F. M. Farr & Company, and Farr &
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FRANCIS MARION FARR
Thomson. He has been a director in the Merchants and Planters National bank, of Union, since its organization, in 1872, and for the last fifteen years he has been the president of that bank. He is a director of the Monarch, the Buffalo and the Jonesville Cotton mills. He is also a director in the following corporations and enterprises: The Rice Drug company; the Lipscomb com- pany, wholesale grocers; the Hames Grocery company; the People's Supply company ; and he is president of the Union Times (newspaper) company, and of the Cotton Growers' association. For many years he was one of the public trustees of the Union school district, and he was active in building up the graded school system in Union, in erecting brick school-houses, etc. He has been chairman of the board of commissioners of public works in Union since that office was created, in 1896.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Democratic party, and uniformly supports its principles, its measures and its candidates. He is a member of the Knights of Honor. Necessary relaxation and change from business he finds in visiting the mountains during the summer.
In November, 1872, he married Miss Mary D. Winebrenner. In September, 1885, he was a second time married to Miss Julia Rainey. He has one child, a son, living in 1907.
As a business man, Mr. Farr commends to the boys and young men of South Carolina "energy, application, and loyalty to their employers," and "charity in all relations with their fellow-men."
His address is Union, South Carolina.
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WILLIAM WALLACE FENNELL
F ENNELL, WILLIAM WALLACE, M. D., was born in Chester county, South Carolina, August 29, 1868. His parents were James F. and Alethia (Beckham) Fennell. His father was a machinist by occupation, though he had com- menced the study of medicine in Cincinnati before the opening of the War between the States, which prevented his graduation. He never held office, but was a man of kindly disposition and highly respected by his acquaintances. His mother was a woman of excellent qualities of mind and heart. The earliest ancestor of the family in this country was a Huguenot from France.
In childhood and youth William Fennell lived in the small village of Richburg, South Carolina. His interests were those of the average boy of his time. He was especially fond of horses. His preparatory and literary education was limited. As clerk in a country store at Lando, South Carolina, he began work at an early age and saved a little money each year to be used for school purposes. His inclination at this time was for business pursuits, and though his means were wholly inadequate to meet the expense of the education which he desired to obtain, he entered the busi- ness department of the Kentucky university, from which he was graduated in 1887. He then became manager of the mercantile department of the Fishing Creek Manufacturing company, in Lando, where he remained until 1892, when, having concluded that he would rather be a physician than a business man, he resigned his position and entered the South Carolina Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1895. At the time of his graduation he was offered a hospital position by Dr. Manning Simons, who was authorized to choose one man from each class. The appointment was regarded a great honor, but the financial condition of Doctor Fennell was such that he was obliged to decline. In fact, he was compelled to borrow money with which to pay his railroad fare home. Very soon after his graduation he began the practice of medicine at Rock Hill, where he soon won popular regard and where he is still in active service as a physician. Doctor Fennell has taken repeated post-graduate courses at the New York Polyclinic hospital, and has studied in
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WILLIAM WALLACE FENNELL
the private hospital of Dr. W. Gill Wylie, and at Bellevue several times. In the summer of 1895 he visited some of the principal hospitals in Europe and saw many operations performed by noted surgeons.
In estimating the relative strength of certain specified influ- ences which have been helpful to him in the work of life, he places in the first rank those of private study and of contact with men in active life. Next he places that of home. His mother died when he was young, but she left a strong impress for good upon his intellectual and moral life. In the third and last rank he places school and early companionship as equal in their effect upon his success. He also feels that the hard work of early life was very useful, as it caused him to form habits of industry and perseverance and tended to make him self-reliant. He has never taken any course of physical culture, but finds both exercise and relaxation in hunting. He is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a life-long Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, of which he is an active and influential member.
In reply to a request that in case there had been any partial failure to accomplish what he had hoped to do he would, for the sake of helping young people who may read his biography, state what useful lessons can be drawn therefrom, Doctor Fennell said that he feels that he has so far succeeded reasonably well-rather better than he expected. But he greatly regrets that he did not spend more time in acquiring a literary education. And when asked to make suggestions as to the principles and methods which will contribute to the strengthening of sound ideals and help young people to attain true success in life, he said : "I believe for any young man to gain a large success in a profession he should decide early what he wants to do and work steadily and earnestly to that end. Failure, in my mind, is often the result of not being decided on what you want to do. My advice to a young man is to select an honorable career and 'stick to his last.' The secret of success is concentration."
On January 11, 1899, Doctor Fennell was married to Mary Lyle. Of their three children, all were living in 1907.
His postoffice address is Rock Hill, South Carolina.
JOHN W. FERGUSON
F ERGUSON, JOHN W., of Laurens, South Carolina, colonel of the Fourth infantry, in his early life a teacher, since 1874 a lawyer and an editor who early championed the "straight-out movement," for two terms a state senator for South Carolina, was born in Newberry county on the 29th of November, 1834. His father, Dr. George Ferguson, was a prac- ticing physician, of Scottish descent, his ancestors having come from Dumfries, Scotland, to settle in the Carolinas. Through his mother, Mrs. Mary (Peterson) Ferguson, he inherits a strain of Danish blood. His father died when he was two years old; and after she had cared for her orphan son until he was eight years old, his mother died.
As a boy of eight he was thus left upon his own resources, his entire inheritance being only about one thousand dollars. He writes: "By spending all that I had, with the help of relatives I obtained a good education."
In 1850 he was sent to Greenwood, South Carolina, then an educational center, to prepare for college. Entering the Pres- byterian school at Greenwood, he studied there for four years under Dr. Isaac Auld, of Charleston, South Carolina, whose first assistant was Dr. John Henry Logan. From the Greenwood school he entered Oglethorpe university, an institution located at Midway, about a mile from Milledgeville, Georgia. This college perished from lack of support in the troubled years which imme- diately followed the War between the States.
After graduation from Oglethorpe, in 1856, Mr. Ferguson was elected principal of the Male academy at Cross Hill, South Carolina. He continued in charge of this academy for four years, meanwhile reading law under Colonel B. W. Ball and passing his examination for appointment to the bar in 1859.
Upon the first call for volunteers in 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Third regiment, Kershaw's brigade. After some months of active service, he was discharged because of physical disability. Reentering the service as soon as his health permitted, for the last eight months of the war he served as colonel of the Fourth regiment of South Carolina troops, having all the time
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JOHN W. FERGUSON
a discharge in his pocket for physical disability. At the close of the war, he says, "I found myself a pauper, and returned to the school room." In 1868 he became principal of the Male academy at Laurens, South Carolina. After six years in this position, he began the practice of law at Laurens in 1874. In 1876 the owners of the Laurensville "Herald" placed Mr. Fer- guson in charge of that paper during the Wade Hampton campaign. Under his management the paper became a strenuous advocate of the "straight-out movement." Upon the election of Wade Hampton, he left the editorial chair to resume his practice of the law. In 1880 he was elected to the state senate, declining a reëlection. In 1888 he was again chosen state senator and after serving his term was a candidate for reelection in 1892; but he "went down before the tide of Tillmanism." Since 1892 Colonel Ferguson has devoted himself strictly to the practice of the law. While he has no personal taste for politics, and no definite political ambition, he has always held it to be the duty of every good citizen to study public affairs and to express his choice and will by his vote on every election day; and he never fails to go to the polls. He has marked literary taste and finds his chief relaxation and delight among his books. In 1891 he was elected a trustee of South Carolina college, and he served for six years.
In December, 1869, Colonel Ferguson married Miss Mary Dorroh, a daughter of Dr. William Dorroh, of Newberry, South Carolina.
Mr. Ferguson is an elder in the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason and has taken the Council degrees.
His address is Laurens, South Carolina.
RICHARD THOMAS FEWELL
F EWELL, RICHARD THOMAS, banker and mill presi- dent, residing at Rock Hill, York county, South Carolina, was born in that county, October 13, 1855. His father, Alexander F. Fewell, was a merchant and farmer-after the war exclusively a farmer; and, in the language of his son, "a self- made man, stern of character, of excellent judgment, whose opinions were always sought and valued-one who sought no offices or titles and lost no friends-liberal, public-spirited."
In boyhood Richard Fewell's health was not vigorous. He passed his early years in the country on a farm. He says significantly that his earliest interest in his childhood was "the wish to do my duty." On account of limitations of health, and trouble with his eyes, he worked for two years upon a farm. Overcoming very serious difficulties in his determination to give himself some educational advantages, he was able to attend the Ebenezer academy, and, after acting as clerk for two years, to spend one year at the King's Mountain Military school, and later (in 1875) to take a course of study at Eastman's Business college, at Poughkeepsie, New York.
He began business for himself, June 1, 1876, in the firm of Ivy & Fewell; but after ten years this partnership was dissolved and the firm became R. T. Fewell & Company, the name under which as partner and manager he conducted a large business until "after the fire" in 1898. The firm then discontinued their general merchandise business, but Mr. Fewell has continued a business in fertilizers, lumber and coal. In 1895 he organized the Arcade Cotton mill, with a capital of $100,000, and he is still (1907) president of that corporation. He is also president of the Bank of Rock Hill, which he organized in 1903. With J. M. Cherry, he built and owned the Rock Hill Water Works and the Electric Street Railroad System of Rock Hill. Besides the corporations and institutions of which he has been president or a large owner, he was a charter member and a mover in organizing the Savings Bank of Rock Hill, the Globe Cotton mill, the Standard Cotton mill, the Rock Hill Oil mill, and the Rock Hill Construction company. Indeed, he has been a director in every considerable
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RICHARD THOMAS FEWELL
business enterprise which has been started at Rock Hill since his own business life began in that community. He was connected with the local militia from 1875 to 1891, having served as lieutenant.
He belongs to the orders of Masons, Knights of Pythias, and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the board of governors of the Commercial club, and of the Piedmont club, of Rock Hill.
By religious convictions he is identified with the Presbyte- rian church. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He finds amusement and exercise in bowling.
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