USA > South Carolina > Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state, Volume III > Part 15
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His early boyhood was passed in the city of Charleston from 1848 until 1861. His health was not vigorous, and his love of books, especially of language study, of astronomy, and of the study and practice of shorthand, were perhaps more intense than they would have been if physical weakness had not cut him off from many boyish sports and occupations out-of-doors. He says of his boyhood : "I did not have many regular tasks involving manual labor, as I should have had. My habits were sedentary, my character was studious." Like many another strong character in the Southland of his time of life, in his boyhood and youth he was a constant reader of Bunyan, Shakespeare and Milton, and he was profoundly influenced by these masters of the art of living and of expressing life. History and natural science also had a deep and enduring interest for him.
His studies were pursued at Carroll's academy, Charleston, F. R. Goulding's North Georgia school, and Charleston college, from which last named institution he received the degrees of
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A. B. and A. M. The War between the States found him eager to serve his state, and he volunteered three times, but was in each instance rejected because of physical disability.
In 1864 he was graduated from the Columbia Theological seminary. He became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Clinton, where so large a part of his life has been passed in that active ministry to which he still gives all his time and strength.
In 1865, on April 20, he married Mary J. Dillard, daughter of Doctor James H. Dillard, of Laurens, South Carolina. They have had five children, all of whom are living in 1907.
In recognition of his useful and honorable career, Erskine college some years since conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He says: "The business of my life has been the building up of the Clinton Presbyterian church and ministering to it; the founding of the Clinton Presbyterian college; the founding of the Thornwell orphanage; and the founding of 'Our Monthly.' Believing it to be my duty to my country to vote early and for the best man, I have always been prompt at the polls, and have contended against every form of civic dishonor."
In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Mason. He has pub- lished (besides several catechisms for children, two of which have been translated into Japanese,) two volumes: "The Lord's Care" and "To Jerusalem" (1895).
To young people who aim at success he writes: "A vigorous, faithful, self-sacrificing devotion to the duty of the hour, without regard to weariness or to the pay, will make a man of him that dares it. That is success !"
He adds: "I think the best thing I have ever done was to strive to impress high ideals of character and of life upon many hundreds of boys and girls who came under my protecting care. As pastor and Sunday school superintendent for over forty years, and as manager of the Thornwell orphanage for over thirty years, and through the college and the press, my one endeavor has been to lead the youth about me to be true, to do the right thing always, to honor all good men and women, and to honor and obey God. I thank God for such success as I have had, and I mourn over my failures."
EDWARD CARROLL JAMES
J AMES, EDWARD CARROLL, the son of Thomas Benton James and Eliza Pleasant Bleakly, was born June 19, 1866, in Loudoun county, Virginia. His father was a planter; he served for a time as district school trustee, also as supervisor of Mt. Gilead district, and was orderly sergeant of Company E, Loudoun county, Eighth Virginia cavalry, when captured at Sailors' Creek, Virginia. He was characterized by integrity, energy and thrift.
The earliest known ancestors of the family in America were Elias James, of Welsh parentage, who seems to have emigrated to Loudoun county, Virginia, from Pennsylvania, about the time of the American Revolution; and Peter Gideon, of Loudoun county, Virginia,-both soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
In his youth Edward James enjoyed sound health; his life was passed in the country, and his time was occupied with the duties of the farm and the public schools. In his judgment, a very important part of his training for the work of his life was found in the regular tasks and chores of the farm. Home influ- ence counted for much in his training. His mother, a diligent, painstaking administrator of household affairs, and an earnest Christian, exerted a strong influence on his moral and spiritual life. This was supplemented by early teachers and companions living near his home, and, later, by contact with men.
Among the books that influenced Mr. James were a Sunday school primer, the title even of which is now forgotten, although the book left a lasting impression upon his mind; "Robinson Crusoe," "John Plowman," "The Pilgrim's Progress," some Eng- lish poets, and other books found in his father's library.
As a boy he attended the country public schools. Higher education for him, however, was to be had only at the price of toil and struggle for means. His father sent him for two years -as long as he could afford to do so-to Roanoke college, Salem, Virginia. Edward then left college and taught for a time to earn the money with which to repay his father and reenter college. He next studied at Richmond college one year, taking a special course in modern languages, after which he again found
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it necessary to teach in order to earn the money for further education. In 1889 he was graduated from the school of modern languages of Richmond college. In Roanoke college, when he was seventeen years of age, he was a leading factor in organizing the Irving Literary society for the benefit of classmates of the same age who were at a disadvantage among the older men in the larger societies. Mr. James next studied at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and in Paris, in 1891-1892. In the summer of 1895 he studied in Harvard university. On June 12, 1901, Furman university conferred upon him the degree of Litt. D.
The first impelling force in his life was the example of industry and faithfulness shown by his parents, and their ambi- tion to lead useful lives. Through the wishes of his parents, who desired to educate him for a profession, and because of the circumstances which forced him to earn his own way, Mr. James discovered that teaching was his life-work. In the autumn of 1892 he entered Culpeper Female seminary as a teacher. From September, 1892, to June, 1894, he served as a professor in this institution; from September, 1894, to June, 1897, he held the chair of modern languages in the Woman's college, Richmond, Virginia; and from September, 1897, to June, 1901, he was principal of the Southside academy, of Chase City, Virginia, which institution he materially built up. In 1901, Doctor James was called to the presidency of Greenville Female college, Green- ville, South Carolina. In this institution his career has been gratifying and successful throughout. Under his administration the attendance has grown remarkably, expensive improvements have been made, and the spirit of the friends of the school has been so aroused that the early erection of a dormitory building is practically assured.
Doctor James has delivered many educational addresses. He is an ardent advocate of denominational high schools and colleges. In. 1898 the Chase City Baptist church voluntarily voted to him a license to preach. Since this date he has preached occasionally, chiefly as a supply for absent pastors.
Doctor James has written a manual of Grace Street Baptist church, Richmond, Virginia. For a short time he was editor and proprietor of "The Chase City Progress," Chase City, Virginia; he has also edited the "Greenville Female College Bulletin"; he has in contemplation a work designed to advocate denominational
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education and to enlarge the facilities of Greenville Female college.
Doctor James is a Mason, a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Club of Thirty-nine, of Greenville, the latter being a literary organiza- tion; he is a member, also, of the executive committee of the Club of Thirty-nine. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in religion he is a Baptist. His relaxation he finds in social intercourse and in an occasional trip by railway or steamship; in college he took much interest in the gymnasium.
Doctor James thinks it might have been better for him had he been able to graduate from the first college he attended, but circumstances were not favorable. His advice to the young is: "Think not too much about personal liberty, but adhere to the precepts and highest ideals of parents and teachers."
On August 5, 1897, he was married to Fannie Thornhill, daughter of Albert and Lucinda Thornhill, of Appomattox county, Virginia. One son and one daughter have been born to them, both of whom are still (1907) living.
His address is 420 College street, Greenville, South Carolina.
ATHA THOMAS JAMISON
J AMISON, ATHA THOMAS, preacher and formerly pastor of one of the prominent Baptist churches of South Car- olina and since 1900 the superintendent and treasurer of the Connie Maxwell orphanage at Greenwood, South Carolina, was born at Murfreesboro, Rutherford county, Tennessee, on March 5, 1866. His father was Robert D. Jamison, by profession a teacher, county superintendent of education, and principal of the Murfreesboro high school, whose marked characteristic was "pure-mindedness," as his son believes. His mother was Camilla (Patterson) Jamison, and on her son's moral and spiritual development and character she had a strong and ennobling influence. The Thomas family, his ancestors, settled in Nottaway county, Virginia, in the eighteenth century.
His boyhood was passed in the country. His health was perfect and his occupations and amusements were those of the average healthy country boy on a Tennessee farm. In his boy- hood he took up the Chautauqua courses of reading, which he followed for eleven years. He studied in the Union university high school of Murfreesboro, and then studied at the Southern Baptist Theological seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, from October, 1894, to June, 1895.
He had been led to the work of the Christian ministry through his experience as secretary of the Young Men's Christian association of Charleston, South Carolina, 1885-1894. In Sep- tember of the year last named he felt called to the Christian ministry, and resigned the secretaryship.
He was ordained to the ministry by the Citadel Square Baptist church of Charleston in June, 1895; and in July of the same year he became pastor of the Baptist church at Camden, South Carolina, where he was known as one of the most successful pastors in the state, and was especially popular with the young people. When the Baptist Young People's union of South Carolina was organized at Orangeburg he was elected president, and he was reelected at the meetings in Greenville, Batesburg, and Columbia. He edited the Baptist Young People's union department in the "Baptist Courier" for a number of years.
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In June, 1900, he was made superintendent and treasurer of the Connie Maxwell orphanage at Greenwood, South Carolina. In this work the qualities which made Mr. Jamison especially loved by the children and young people in Charleston and Cam- den are making the atmosphere of the orphanage happy, cheerful, and attractive. The two hundred and twenty children under his care all feel him to be their friend. The experience in business management, which came to Mr. Jamison during his secretaryship of the Young Men's Christian association at Charleston, is bearing fruit in his wise and practical management of the orphanage.
Mr. Jamison has been twice married. October 3, 1889, he married Miss Emma C. Caldwell, who died December 17, 1900. On June 7, 1904, he married Mrs. Margaret Wallace Caldwell.
His address is Greenwood, Greenwood county, South Caro- lina.
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ROBERT THOMPSON JAYNES
J AYNES, ROBERT THOMPSON, son of Waddy Thompson Jaynes and Della S. (Rust) Jaynes, was born February 14, 1862, in Richland, Pickens district, Oconee county, South Carolina. His father was a farmer-industrious, energetic and successful. Robert Jaynes's boyhood was spent on a farm. He was fond of outdoor work and sport and was trained to systematic labor. Until seventeen years of age he attended school during summer and winter, between crop seasons. At seventeen he entered Adger college, graduating in 1882 with the degree of A. B. and the first honor in his class of nine.
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Attendance, when a boy, upon a celebrated criminal case at Walhalla court-house aroused his interest in law and led to his pursuit of this study. In 1883-84 he read law in the office of Wells & Orr in Greenville. In 1884 he was admitted by the state supreme court to the bar of South Carolina, and in 1885 began the practice of law in Walhalla. His studies embraced the col- lege curriculum, languages, ancient and modern, and mental and moral sciences, before entering upon the study of the law course required for admission to the bar. The influences which have chiefly affected the character of Mr. Jaynes and have contributed to his success are, in his judgment, first, home; second, private study ; third, contact with men; fourth, school; and fifth, early companionship.
Since his admission to the bar Mr. Jaynes has steadily prac- ticed his profession, and since 1889 he has also been editor of the Keowee "Courier." He is president of the Oconee Kniting mill, of Walhalla, South Carolina. For some time he was a member of the county board of education, but resigned therefrom in the spring of 1907.
In the fall of 1885 he formed a partnership with Robert A. Thompson, under the firm name of Thompson & Jaynes, which obtained until 1893, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. He practiced alone for two years, and on January 1, 1895, formed a partnership with Joseph W. Shelor, under the firm name of Jaynes & Shelor. The firm enjoyed a lucrative practice for ten
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years, and was dissolved by mutual consent on January 1, 1905, since which time Mr. Jaynes has practiced alone.
As a lawyer he stands high in the ranks of his profession. He is noted for careful preparation of his cases, and forceful presentation to court and jury, being equally at home on either the criminal or civil side of the court. At different times he has been engaged in many of the hardest fought civil and criminal cases in his part of the state.
Mr. Jaynes is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. For several years he was worshipful master of Blue Ridge lodge, Number 92, A. F. and A. M., and also D. D. G. M. of the eighth district. In politics he is an unchanging Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is a member. For relaxation he occasionally hunts and drives, and attends to the interests of his farm.
To the young, Mr. Jaynes advises that their early years, if possible, be spent in some sort of manual labor on the farm or in the shop; that they be temperate in their habits, regularly employed, and that they cultivate love of home, of good compan- ionship and the study of nature.
On December 22, 1886, Mr. Jaynes was married to Mattie C. Steck.
His address is Walhalla, Oconee county, South Carolina.
Man of Mark Publishing Co Washington, D.C.
JOSEPHUS WYMAN JENNY
J ENNY, JOSEPHUS WYMAN, planter, merchant and manufacturer, was born in Barnwell county, South Caro- lina, February 24, 1842. His parents were George and Nancy Jenny. His father was a mechanic, who never aspired to public position, but whose integrity and kindness won for him the respect and good will of the people among whom he lived. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a woman of fine Christian character, and she exerted a powerful and an enduring influence for good upon the moral and intellectual life of her son. The earliest known ancestor of the family to locate in this country was John Jenny, grandfather of Josephus Wyman Jenny, who emigrated from Germany about 1790 and settled in Charleston, South Carolina.
The boyhood of the subject of this sketch was passed in the country. His home was on a farm and he had the regular tasks which fall to the average farmer boy. He was well and strong, and work in the open air did much to develop his physical powers and prepare him to endure the stress of business life. His oppor- tunities for obtaining an education were limited to the country schools in the neighborhood, which at that time were very poor. In 1861 he entered the Confederate States army as a member of Company C, First South Carolina volunteers, Jenkins' brigade, Longstreet's corps; served with fidelity throughout the War between the States, and surrendered with General Lee at Appo- mattox. Returning to his home, he commenced in 1865 the active work of life as a general merchant and farmer. He located near Rivers Bridge, in Barnwell county, South Carolina. His choice of occupation was due to the necessity of doing something and to the seemingly favorable opportunity of engaging in the lines which he selected. As a planter, and as the head of the mercan- tile firm of J. W. Jenny & Company, he was very successful. Later, in connection with the positions above noted, he became head of the firm of Jenny & Loadholt, proprietors of a sawmill, gristmill and cotton-ginning business. He also became a director in the Fairfax Cotton Seed Oil company. All the firms with
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which he is connected have a high standing and are thoroughly trustworthy in every respect.
Mr. Jenny has not only been a thorough business man, but he has also taken great interest in the cause of education, and holds the office of trustee of Newberry college. He has never sought public honors, but he took a great interest in the Hamp- ton campaign in 1876. He was elected and commissioned by Governor Wade Hampton captain of the Gordon light dragoons state troop, August 25, 1877; was elected and served two years as county commissioner of Barnwell county, 1878-79; and was elected a member of the house of representatives, 1887, to fill the unexpired term of L. B. O'Bryan, deceased. In 1888 he was elected to the legislature for a full term of two years.
In estimating the relative strength of influences which have helped him to attain success, he places home training as first, and contact with men in active life as second. Speaking in a broad sense, he says that these two influences have made him what he is. Of the prominent fraternities to which he belongs are the Masons, in which he is past master in Buford lodge, No. 27, and the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor in Endowment lodge, No. 127. In politics he is a Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a prominent member.
On March 19, 1868, Mr. Jenny was married to Miss Rebecca Wineford Kearse.
His address is Jenny, Barnwell county, South Carolina.
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JOHN JOHNSON
J OHNSON, JOHN, D. D., LL. D., clergyman and author, was born at Charleston, South Carolina, December 25, 1829. He was the son of Joseph and Catherine Johnson. His father was a physician and druggist, at one time intendant of the city, and president of the South Carolina Apprentices' Library societies. He was characterized by public spirit and . private integrity. The early ancestors, Johnsons or Yansens, were English and settled in Dutch New York. His grandfather, William Johnson, was a prominent patriot of the Revolution in Charleston.
John Johnson's early life was passed in the city of Charleston. He desired to enter the United States navy, but failing to do so, became a civil engineer. For some years he was a student at the academy of Mr. Cotes. At the age of seventeen he began training in an architect's office in Charleston for civil engineer, chiefly for the survey, construction and operation of the railways in South Carolina.
After practice for ten years in the profession of civil engineer, he studied at the University of Virginia (1858-1859) and then began to study for the ministry. In 1861 he entered the army of the Confederate states, in which he held the offices of first lieutenant, captain and major.
Doctor Johnson was rector of Grace church, Camden, South Carolina, from 1866 to 1871; and rector of the parish of St. Philip, Charleston, from 1872 to 1906, when, on account of failing health, he was made rector emeritus. He had been for several years clerical deputy to the general convention of the Protestant Episcopal church and president of the standing committee of the diocese of South Carolina.
Doctor Johnson published "The Defense of Charleston Har- bor 1863-1865" (1890). In 1853 he published a large wall map of South Carolina, which was aided and adopted by the state legislature. He was a member of the South Carolina society, the South Carolina Historical society, and Camp Sumter chapter of the United Confederate veterans, in which latter organization he held the office of commandant.
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Through life Doctor Johnson was a Democrat and a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.
On December 20, 1865, he was married to Miss C. Floride Cantey. They had nine children, eight of whom are now living.
Since the above sketch was written Doctor Johnson died at his home in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 7, 1907, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was buried in St. Philip's churchyard in that city.
IREDELL JONES
J ONES, IREDELL, was born February 8, 1842, at Hills- boro, Orange county, North Carolina. He is the son of Colonel Cadwallader Jones and Annie Isabella Jones, daughter of Governor James Iredell of North Carolina.
Colonel Cadwallader Jones was a lawyer and planter; for a time he held the office of solicitor in North Carolina; he was a member of the house of representatives of North Carolina in 1840, and later of the state legislature of South Carolina, and he was colonel of the Twelfth regiment of Gregg's brigade, South Carolina volunteers. He was an effective speaker and an excel- lent criminal lawyer, and a Democrat of the old school, very popular as a politician.
The earliest known ancestors of the family in America were Robert Jones, of Wales, England, who immigrated in colonial times, settled in Virginia, and was the grandfather of Robin Jones and James Iredell, from Essex, England, who, under Washington, was associate justice of the supreme court of the United States. Allen Jones, son of Robin Jones, was a member of the continental congress at Philadelphia. James Iredell, son of Judge Iredell, was governor of North Carolina and United States senator.
In youth Iredell Jones was active and energetic, a lover of sports, and devoted to music. His early life was passed in the country, and in the villages of Hillsboro, North Carolina, and Rock Hill, South Carolina. Of his mother he says: "The wis- dom and teachings of my mother have been the strongest and most potent factors in my life-work, always present to guide and instruct, as living principles."
Mr. Jones studied at Pine Grove academy, Rock Hill; at Mt. Zion institute, Winnsboro, and at South Carolina college. In 1861, while in his junior year, he entered a college company as second lieutenant and witnessed the surrender of Fort Sumter. Later, he was a private in Company A, Washington Light infantry, of Charleston, under Captain James Conner. He served in the first battle of Manassas, where, in the charge of Captain Ricketts' battery at the Henry house, he was wounded
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in the leg by a minie ball, and was honorably discharged. Returning to college on crutches, he joined the senior class. In March, 1862, he returned to the army as second lieutenant in the First South Carolina artillery, and was in the fight with the Monitor on April 7, 1863, in command, under Colonel Yates, of four guns, including the noted "Brooke gun" on the east face of barbette battery. He was also in the fort during the several great bombardments which commenced August 17, 1863, and he shared in the fighting around Charleston, particularly at Battery Gregg during the attack by barges from Vincent's creek. He was in the retreat with Johnston's army from Charleston to Greensboro, North Carolina, serving as inspector on Colonel Rhett's staff.
After the war Mr. Jones found himself penniless. Impelled to accept whatever employment offered, he first took work under the Southern Express company. In 1867 he was a merchant in the firm of London & Jones, at Rock Hill. Later he became a farmer. Mr. Jones served in the state legislature and voted for the stock law in 1880, also for the registration law.
Mr. Jones has been connected with the South Carolina Hos- pital for the Insane, as regent, for eighteen years, and he has had much to do with the recent development of that institution. He has been president of the board of trustees of the schools of Rock Hill, which, during his term of service, have increased from one hundred and twenty-four pupils, in 1888, to fifteen hundred, in 1905.
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