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 18
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The children of Captain Maxwell were educated in Old Pendleton, whose schools in those days were under the trusteeship of such men as John C. Calhoun, the Pinckneys, Hugers, and Elliotts, and were conducted on a high plane. The teachers were paid fully as well as the college professors of today, and were men and women of broad culture.
A man of large and successful private interests, Captain Maxwell gave unstintedly of his time and energies to the public defence and to the promotion of the public good. He served in the wars against the Creek Indians in Florida; he was captain of a company of militia during the War of 1812, and he saw active service in the War between the States. In 1828 he was sent to the state legislature by his district, where he served for several successive terms, uniformly heading the ticket in the electoral races. His love for his native state was intense, and ever sent him to the front ranks of those who sought to serve and defend her. In the days of Jackson he was a defender of the Nullification act, and later, when the war cloud broke, he was a member of the convention which passed the ordinance of secession. At the bombardment of Fort Sumter he bore a musket as a soldier on Sullivan's Island, and when Orr's famous regiment of rifles was mustered into service at Sandy Springs he took his place in the ranks, but was refused service because of his great age. At home, however, he served the state and the Confederacy by active sympathy, by zealous encouragement of its defenders, and with his substance, which was freely given to the cause.
Captain Maxwell was a model farmer and good adminis- trator. His beautiful plantation, with its fertile bottom lands, was the Egypt of all that part of the country extending west- ward to the Tugala river, and beyond into the hill country of Georgia. He was a lover of fine horses and was always splen- didly mounted. At one time he kept a stud of racers and main-
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tained, at his own expense, a racing track on his magnificent one hundred and sixty acre field of bottom land.
His home was ever hospitably open to visitors, and was generally filled from the ranks of his many friends and admirers. He was respected, loved and looked up to by his neighbors with- out exception, and his life shed a beneficent light throughout the community in which he lived. He died on August 23, 1870, a knightly soul imbued with the Christian faith (though a member of no church), and believing firmly in the righteousness of the cause of the Confederacy.
With such home surroundings, and amid such events as have been described, John Hampden Maxwell passed the period of his youth. He received his preparatory education in Pendleton, and at the age of nineteen he entered the University of Virginia. There he commenced an academic course preparatory to the study of medicine, which profession he had previously determined to pursue. His last session at the University of Virginia was devoted entirely to the study of medical science, and in the autumn of 1853 he entered Jefferson Medical college, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. He was graduated from that institution with the M. D. degree on March 11, 1854, under the distinguished Professors Meigs, Mitchell, Pancoast, Dunglison, Mutter, and others.
After his return home he settled down to practice at Fair Play, in Oconee county, South Carolina, in partnership with his oldest brother, Dr. Robert D. Maxwell, who was considered, at that time, one of the leading physicians of upper South Carolina. After an extensive and laborious practice with him for two years he returned to his native home, Pendleton, and there continued his profession, in all its branches, with marked success, becoming the leading physician of his locality. While here his practice, extended into a number of the contiguous counties, made severe demands on his health.
Subsequently, and largely out of consideration for his physi- cal condition, he removed to Greenville, South Carolina, in 1876, where he confines his practice entirely to the city, and chiefly to diseases of women, in the treatment of which he has achieved a wide reputation and has attained eminent success. For a quarter of a century he has been esteemed the leading physician of Greenville.
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The eminent theologian and preacher, Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus, thus speaks of him :
"He is a man of superior intelligence and excellent attain- ments in general science and literature, highly accomplished in his profession, and at the same time an active practitioner and a diligent student-a thing we meet with only among the higher class of medical men. He is a Christian gentleman of elevated character and uncommonly refined and polished manners."
Doctor Maxwell was reared under the influence of the Baptist denomination, and has been a member of that church for more than forty years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Knights of Honor, and a conservative though enthusiastic Demo- crat. Although engaged in the practice of the most arduous of the professions for nearly half a century, he is still remarkably well preserved, vigorous and active.
On April 18, 1860, Doctor Maxwell married Mary E. Alex- ander, only daughter of Colonel E. and Elizabeth (Steele) Alex- ander, of Pickens county, South Carolina. They have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.
The address of Doctor Maxwell is Greenville, Greenville county, South Carolina.
ORLANDO BENEDICT MAYER
M AYER, ORLANDO BENEDICT, physician and sur- geon and one of the most prominent and active men in his city and section, was born at Newberry, South Carolina, on August 23, 1853. His father's name was O. B. Mayer, and his mother's, C. N. (Dewalt) Mayer. His father was a physician, eminent for his truthfulness and honesty. The family ancestors came to America from Germany and France.
Doctor Mayer's mother died when he was but seven years of age. Education was possible for him only as the result of a struggle on his part. Home influence was the chief factor in shaping his character.
His academic education was obtained at Newberry Male academy. He then took a course in the Medical college of the state of South Carolina, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. This course was supplemented with courses at Bellevue Medical college, the college of Physicians and Surgeons, New York; the New York Post-Graduate Medical college, and the New York Polyclinic institute. In 1894 he was granted the honorary degree of Master of Arts by Newberry college.
On graduating from the Medical college of the state of South Carolina Doctor Mayer entered upon the practice of his profession at Newberry, in which he has continued till the present time. He has been vice-president of the Commercial bank, Newberry, South Carolina, and has been prominently connected with various important companies. He was president Scuth Carolina Medical association (1886), and has been chairman committee on ethics, South Carolina Medical association; chair- man council of South Carolina Medical association (1905) ; member state board of medical examiners, and trustee Newberry college, in which institution he is also profesor of physiology. He was mayor of Newberry two terms, 1899-1900, and he has been president of the board of trade and board of health of New- berry.
Among Doctor Mayer's public services may be noted his building of the Mayer Memorial church as a memorial to his
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father, O. B. Mayer, Sr., and his establishment of the R. L. McCaughrin scholarship in Newberry college for poor students.
Doctor Mayer is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Red Men. Through life he has been a. Democrat in politics and a Lutheran in religion.
On December 12, 1894, he married Hattie W. Jones. They have had three children, all of whom are now (1908) living. His address is Newberry, South Carolina.
STANWIX GREENVILLE MAYFIELD
M AYFIELD, STANWIX GREENVILLE, was born September 12, 1861, near Benton, Polk county, Ten- nessee. His parents were William and Lillian Blythe Mayfield. His father was a farmer, a man who never deserted a friend and was the adviser of the whole neighborhood; he was energetic and persevering, a strong man physically, mentally and morally.
Among the most distinguished of the ancestors of the family were Major McJunkin of the Revolution, who was shot at King's Mountain, and Reverend David Blythe, a Baptist minister and soldier in the War of 1812.
As a boy, Stanwix Mayfield suffered much from chills and fever. He was an omniverous reader and a good student. At sixteen years of age, having pursued his preliminary studies in the log school houses, he began teaching at Pumpkintown, Pickens county. His early life was passed on his father's plan- tation on the South Saluda, in Greenville county, twenty miles from the city, then six miles from the nearest postoffice. On this farm he worked as a field hand. When Stanwix was but sixteen years of age his father temporarily lost his sight. The elder brother being at college, the management of the farm fell upon the subject of this sketch, who took entire charge of the business. He often left his home before daylight, driving a four-horse wagon loaded with provisions, for Greenville city. His break- fast was eaten by candle-light and he was afield by sunrise.
Mrs. Mayfield was a woman of strong intellect and attractive qualities, and, withal, of much force of character. She was the greatest influence in shaping the early life of her sons. Educa- tion was available to Stanwix Mayfield only as the result of a struggle. He enjoyed no advantages, not even oil for a light by which to read. Every Sabbath, however, and during the week, he was instructed in the Bible. He borrowed Shakespeare and studied it, and he read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. But the book which, next to the Bible and Shakespeare, influenced him most was the autobiography of Anthony Trollope, given him by Colonel George Johnstone. In 1883 he was graduated from
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Furman university with the degree of A. B., having paid his own way through college.
Speaking of formative influences, Mr. Mayfield says: "If I have succeeded, it is due to my home life and hard work. I am slow, naturally, and must dig for what others pick up." The first strong impulse came to him from his mother. From boy- hood he would mount his horse or wagon, ride to Greenville, attend the close of some great trial at court, or political meeting, and return that night, being frequently all night on the road. His strong inclination was toward the law; this he began reading before he left college, utilizing his nights and odd times. Since May, 1887, he has been an attorney-at-law, serving as counsel for a local banker and for the Atlantic Coast Line. In 1892 he was elected senator from Barnwell county, serving until 1897, when Bamberg county was organized; in this year he was elected from Bamberg and served until 1904, when he declined a reelection. He has thus served twelve years as a state senator, during eight of which years he was chairman of the senate judiciary com- mittee. He drew the "Road Law," which was the first effective law on roads in the state, and under this law the highways of South Carolina are now being improved. He was also instru- mental in bringing about improvements in the school law. He has served as a trustee of Furman university and of Greenville Female college. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of Honor. Through life he has been an unchanging Democrat. In religion he is a Baptist. His duties as lawyer and law-maker he varies, on occa- sion, with riding, hunting, and reading.
To the young, Mr. Mayfield says: "No young man need despair because he has had few or no early opportunities. Strict honesty, absolute sobriety, and constant work, will bring success. I have never used alcoholic liquors or tobacco. I believe these two cause more misery than all other evils which beset mankind."
Mr. Mayfield married, November 21, 1887, Leda Kennerly. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are now (1908) living.
His address is Denmark, Bamberg county, South Carolina.
Men of Mark Publishing Co. Washington, D. C.
Genge Ht. Moffitt.
GEORGE HALL MOFFETT
M OFFETT, GEORGE HALL, attorney-at-law, since 1903 corporation counsel for the city of Charleston, formerly a member of the South Carolina house of representatives, was born at Charleston on the 27th of October, 1867. His father, George Hall Moffett, was a merchant, whose high sense of honor and untiring energy contributed to his success in mercantile life and led to his promotion in military service. He entered the Confederate States army as a private, and was promoted for bravery on the field of battle. He became adjutant- general, Hagood's brigade, Twenty-fifth South Carolina volun- teers, Confederate States army. His father had come from Scot- land to Charleston in 1810. The family of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Henry (Simonton) Moffett, were from the north of Ireland, and as immigrants first settled in Pennsylvania, and later removed to South Carolina, where they were established before the French and Indian war.
As a boy, George Hall Moffett had excellent health, and enjoyed school life in his native city, Charleston. His father died when he was but a young boy; and the influence of his mother was very strong, both on his intellectual life and his moral character. He was fitted for college in the city public schools, the high school, and the College of Charleston.
He was graduated from South Carolina university in June, 1889, with the degree of A. B. In order to secure for himself the advantages of a college course, to fit him for the profession to which he looked forward, he had borrowed the money to pay the expenses of his college years. After his graduation he taught school for a year in the country and for a year in Charleston. In 1892 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession.
In 1901 he was elected a member of the lower house of the South Carolina legislature, serving through the sessions of 1901 and 1902. In 1903 he became corporation counsel for the city of Charleston, and he is still serving in that capacity.
In politics Mr. Moffett is a Democrat. By religious convic- tion he is affiliated with the Presbyterian church. At college he
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was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is a Knight of Pythias. He is a Knight Templar, a thirty-second degree Mason, and a Mystic Shriner. He is a member of most of the benevolent and social societies of the city of Charleston.
His address is 55 Broad street, Charleston, South Carolina.
2. - Noch Publishing Company Washington, DC
yours truly Win. 50 morrison
WILLIAM SHANNON MORRISON
M ORRISON, WILLIAM SHANNON, son of William Austin and Nancy Ray (Carlisle) Morrison, was born at Winnsboro, Fairfield county, South Carolina, April 7, 1853. His father was a merchant; in the later fifties he was postmaster at Winnsboro; during the life of the Confederacy he was also postmaster at Winnsboro.
The earliest known paternal ancestors in America were the McCreights, who immigrated from the north of Ireland prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Fairfield county. William McCreight died about the outbreak of that struggle and was buried near Winnsboro. His son, William, was a captain in the War of 1812; afterwards he was made colonel in the militia; he was buried in Winnsboro. His daughter, Nancy, married Robert Morrison; of this marriage was born W. A. Morrison, father of William Shannon Morrison.
The maternal ancestors were the Carlisles and Buchanans. Five Carlisle brothers-Henry, John, Thomas, Alexander, and William-came from the north of Ireland early in the nineteenth century and settled in Fairfield county. William married Mary Ann Buchanan; their daughter was the mother of the subject of this sketch.
William Morrison enjoyed sound and robust health as a boy. His early life, until he reached the age of sixteen, was spent at Winnsboro. From sixteen until eighteen he worked on a farm near Blackstock, to which point his parents moved in 1869. The discipline imparted by this labor was wholesome on his physical strength and character.
Difficulties confronted William Morrison as he sought to acquire an education; kind relatives, however, assisted him. During two college vacations he earned money-in the first by selling books and maps, and in the second by teaching school. The books which especially impressed him were the Bible, his- torical writings, and Simms's novels. His early Sunday school training was received in the old brick church in Winnsboro; his secular education was obtained in private schools conducted by Reverend J. Obear, Miss Chandler, Miss Finney, and D. B.
Vol. III .- S. C .- 17.
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McCreight, of Winnsboro. He also attended Mt. Zion institute. In 1867, and again in 1868-1869, he attended the preparatory department of Wofford college. He also received private lessons from A. C. Elder, of Blackstock. From 1869 to 1871 he worked on the farm near Blackstock, studying at nights and on rainy days; and in October, 1871, he entered the freshman class at Wofford, from which college he was graduated in June, 1875, with the distinction of Greek orator. The work of teaching, to which he was drawn by the necessity of earning money to pay his way through college, from the first proved attractive to Mr. Morrison. Within ten days after graduating he found oppor- tunity to take up this work in earnest. The position was that of teacher of a free school at McAbee's academy, five miles from Spartanburg. This work he entered upon with zest and pursued with success. From that time teaching has been his life work. During three months of the summer of 1874 he taught at Black- stock, South Carolina; again, during two months of the summer of 1875, he taught at McAbee's academy, near Spartanburg; during three months of the fall of 1875 he taught in a private school at Easley; during the seven years from 1876 to 1883 he was principal of the Wellford high school, in Spartanburg county, which institution he founded; for two years he was city superintendent of Spartanburg, in which city he organized the school system; for seven years he was city superintendent of schools in Greenville, where again he organized the school system. During his incumbency at Greenville the city spent about $25,000 in school lots and buildings. Later, Mr. Morrison became pro- fessor of history and political economy at Clemson college; he began his work at the opening of the institution in July, 1893, and has since continued there. In addition to his duties as head of the department named, he organized and had charge of the fitting school there, which was abolished in 1891. In addition to regular college work, Professor Morrison has rendered valuable assistance in county teachers' institutes in nearly half the counties of South Carolina, and has, as a member of the Clemson college faculty, lectured on industrial education at farmers' institutes in every county in the state.
Professor Morrison has never held political office. He has several times been a lay delegate to district conferences and annual conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
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He was the secretary of the first normal institute held at Spar- tanburg in 1881, and president of the State Teachers' association at Anderson in 1891. His writings have been confined to addresses on educational or historical subjects. He is a member of the Knights of Honor. Through life he has been an unchang- ing Democrat. As intimated, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; this church he joined while in his sophomore year at college. For over twenty years he has been a steward, three-fourths of that time recording steward of Reid- ville circuit. He has often been a delegate to his district confer- ence, and was a lay representative at the annual conferences held at Marion in 1880, at Union in 1881, at Camden in 1889, at Florence in 1897, and at Greenwood in 1898.
Professor Morrison finds his relaxation in fishing, hunting, working in the garden, and, during his vacations, resting on his farm near Wellford, in Spartanburg county. The young he advises to "love their work and stick to it." On December 12, 1878, he was married to Miss Maggie Jackson, of Spartanburg county. Of this marriage have been born five children,-four daughters and a son,-all of whom are living in 1908.
His address is Box 7, Clemson College, South Carolina.
BENJAMIN HART MOSS
M OSS, BENJAMIN HART, lawyer, ex-member of the legislature, bank president, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was born on January 17, 1862, in the county in which he still resides. His father, William C. Moss, was a farmer, and a grandson of John Moss, who had left Virginia, early in life, to settle in South Carolina, where he became well known and generally esteemed for his good judgment and fair dealing.
Born on a farm in suburbs of Orangeburg, South Carolina, having a beautiful and happy boyhood, with some of the labors and almost all the amusements and sports which country boys of his state enjoyed in the sixties and seventies, he attended the schools at Orangeburg; and he was prepared for college at the Orangeburg high school. The circumstances of his family were such as to leave his way free from the serious difficulties in securing an education which were encountered by so many boys of South Carolina in the decade which followed the War between the States.
He entered Wofford college, and completing his course there in 1882, he continued the study of law, and began to practice his profession, in 1883, at Orangeburg, where he is still in active practice. His own preference led him to choose the law. The cordial confidence which his fellow-citizens have reposed in him, as shown in his election to the legislature in 1899 (and he could have been renominated, but declined), seems to indicate that the choice he made was a wise one. His interest in the business affairs of his town and county is evinced not only by his extensive practice, but also by the positions of trust to which he has been chosen.
He is president of the Edisto Savings bank, of Orangeburg. He is trustee of his alma mater, Wofford college. He has repeat- edly served upon school boards, having a deep and constant interest in the improvement of the system of public education in South Carolina by raising the standard of qualifications and of pay for teachers, as well as by lengthening the school year.
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Mr. Moss was married on November 16, 1892, to F. Agnes Dibble, daughter of Honorable Samuel Dibble. Of their four children, two are now (1908) living.
He is a Mason and a member of the Woodmen of the World. By political preference a Democrat, he has at no time parted with that organization, either on a question of party principles or of nominees. In his church relations he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Serving his constituents loyally in the legislature, Mr. Moss is one of many leading men in the state who have chosen to resume business in private life rather than to continue in public office. To such citizens who have tasted the honors of office and have returned with a broadened outlook to the duties of the average citizen of the state, serving better as law-abiding citizens because they have had a share in the work of law-making, South Carolina owes much of that public-spirited interest in state and national politics which has always characterized the Palmetto State.
WILLIAM JACOB MURRAY
M URRAY, WILLIAM JACOB, M. D., president of the Murray Drug company, was born in St. George, Colle- ton county, South Carolina, March 9, 1856. His father, Thomas Jefferson Murray, who died before his son was old enough to know him, was a planter, a member of the South Carolina legislature, and a captain in the First Volunteers during the War between the States. His mother, who had a very strong influence on her son's life, was Eliza D. Frances Murray. The Murrays came originally from Scotland.
Doctor Murray was reared on a plantation, where by helping with the various kinds of agricultural work he led a free, healthy, outdoor life. At the same time he was a studious youth, fond of reading, and with a special taste for mathematics and history. After attending various preparatory schools, and at the same time earning his livelihood by working as a clerk in a mercantile house, he entered Vanderbilt university, Tennessee, where in 1882 he was graduated with the degree of M. D. In choosing the medical profession he followed his own preference, and his subsequent success has demonstrated the wisdom of his choice. Today Doctor Murray is president of the Murray Drug company, president of the Homestead Building and Loan association, president of the New York, Georgetown and Columbia Steamship line, director in the National Loan and Exchange bank, of Columbia, and director of the Columbia Trust company. He is trustee of Columbia college and trustee of the Epworth orphanage. In politics he is a strong Democrat. He attends the Methodist church, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. Horseback riding and driving are his favorite forms of amuse- ment.
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