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 20
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On November 19, 1889, Mr. Rainsford married Miss Mattie Nicholson, daughter of General Benjamin Nicholson and Lizzie Hughes Nicholson, of Cedar Grove. They have had four chil- dren,-Thomas, Jr., Elizabeth, June, and James Carroll Rains- ford,-all of whom are now (1908) living. Mr. Rainsford has
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always found his deepest pleasure and keenest delight in the circle of his own family and at his own home.
A farmer by inherited taste and inclination, and confirmed in his taste by circumstances which pointed out farming as the wisest life career for him, he has pursued it with such success and profit that it has furnished him the means to engage in other enterprises without losing his hold upon his first business interest -farming. He has served his county in positions of trust and responsibility ; and in all these positions he has met with a good degree of success and has had the approval of his constituents and fellow-citizens.
He is now vice-president of the Farmers bank of Edgefield, and a director in the Bank of Edgefield; and in the management of both these offices his sound judgment and good common sense are much relied upon by his associates.
In politics Mr. Rainsford is a Democrat, and he has for years taken an active part in the political affairs of his county and of the state. He has served for four terms, eight years in all, as a member of the lower house of the South Carolina legis- lature. For six years he was chairman of the Democratic party in Edgefield county.
While a member of the South Carolina house of represen- tatives his election as speaker of the house was sought by many of his colleagues, and his name has been several times mentioned prominently in connection with the office of state treasurer.
At college he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He also belongs to the Rensselaer Society of Engineers.
By denominational preference Mr. Rainsford is connected with the Presbyterian Church, South.
To the young people of South Carolina he commends "work" as the summing up in one word of the philosophy of success in life. But, with Carlyle, he holds that good work involves abso- lute truthfulness and honesty in all dealings. Patience and conservatism in business methods, with the avoidance of specu- lation in every form, he believes will uniformly give to the man who works honestly a good measure of success.
MICHAEL GRAMLING SALLEY
S ALLEY, MICHAEL GRAMLING, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was born March 29, 1849, in the town in which he still resides. His father, Alexander S. Salley, was a member of the same profession, widely and favorably known for his interest in public affairs and his efficient service as a member of the legislature of his state, as well as for his record in the War between the States, in which he served as surgeon in the Twentieth South Carolina volunteers from 1862 to 1865, and as senior surgeon of Kennedy's brigade in 1865. To many who honored his firm gentleness and valued his Christian friendship he was "the beloved physician," and of him his son says: "Companionship with my father, from my earliest recollection, was the strongest influence in my life." The family is of English extraction; and George Salley was for years in public life as representative and senator in the state legislature. Dr. Alexander Salley married Julia Eliza Morrow, daughter of William and Caroline L. Stroman, of Orangeburg county ; and to her her son feels that he owes much of intellectual stimulus and of spiritual influence.
A healthy and happy boy, fond of outdoor sports and country life, and rejoicing in close friendship with his father, he had the ordinary educational opportunities of the schools near him; and from the Poplar Springs academy he made his way, in 1870, to the University of Maryland, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1872. Later he took an advanced course of professional study with clinics at the hospital of Maryland university, 1877-78.
Beginning the practice of his profession at Orangeburg in 1872, he found himself among many friends of his father, and he rapidly and steadily made friends of his own by his quiet and assiduous attention to his professional duties. and studies. His own preference had led him to the practice of medicine, and he followed it con amore. He has been for thirty-four years a member of the State Medical society. He served as surgeon, with the rank of captain, in the state militia, from 1893 to 1903,
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and since 1903 he has been surgeon-major of the Second regiment South Carolina state troops.
On September 7, 1885, he married M. Adele Buchanan, daughter of John M. and Eugenia (Felder) Buchanan, of Winns- boro. They have had six children, of whom five are now (1908) living.
While ministering to the health of others, Doctor Salley has kept his own health good by indulging a reasonable fondness for hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. He is a Democrat in his political convictions and his party relations.
To the young men of South Carolina he offers this brief piece of advice: "Have a college education first; when fitted for work, seek a good location. Be honest with all men, and be true and respectful with women."
COTESWORTH PINCKNEY SANDERS
S ANDERS, COTESWORTH PINCKNEY, lawyer, was born November 25, 1846, on a plantation in Colleton county, South Carolina. His father, Burrell Sanders, planter and member of the state legislature, was noted for firm- ness, thoroughness, and energy,-traits also marked in the son. His mother, Ann Jackson (Ferrebee) Sanders, a woman of education and refinement, left an indelible impression for good upon his character. His ancestry is Scotch-Irish. The founder of the American family came from the north of Ireland to Vir- ginia, and his descendants moved to South Carolina early in the last century.
He spent his early youth on his father's plantation and in the village of Walterboro, South Carolina. He was strong, healthy, fond of outdoor sports and of reading historical novels. Visiting the court-house in Walterboro and listening to the trials of cases, while in his early 'teens, decided him to become a lawyer. He attended the common schools of the county for some years, but the War between the States interfered with his preparatory education when it was most needed and would have been most appreciated. He served during the greater part of the last year of the war as a private in the South Carolina battalion of state cadets. He attended the South Carolina university the first session after the war. He was then compelled by lack of funds to drop out and go to work, but he never for a moment thought of abandoning his intention to become a lawyer, and for some years he gave most of his spare time to reading law.
In 1887 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Gaffney city, South Carolina. Four years later he moved to Spartanburg, where he had a wider field, made a specialty of corporation law, and built up a large and profitable practice. He is assistant division counsel for the Southern Rail- way company; attorney for the Spartan mills, the Spartanburg railway, the Gas and Electric company; the Travelers Insurance company, of Hartford, Connecticut; the Fidelity and Casualty company, of New York, and the Employers Indemnity company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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He has also been given political honors by his fellow-citizens. He was a member of the Spartanburg board of aldermen two terms, 1889-1893, and of the South Carolina house of represen- tatives, 1899-1902, and again, 1905-1906.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in politics is and has always been a Democrat. His favorite recreations are hunting and fishing, but he can seldom find time to indulge in either.
On December 8, 1869, he married Clare Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of James H. and Attimire Wilson, of Spartanburg. Ten children have been born to them, nine of whom are now (1907) living.
His address is Spartanburg, South Carolina.
GEORGE HERBERT SASS
S ASS, GEORGE HERBERT, LL. D., lawyer, poet, and editor, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, December 24, 1845. From good old Anglo-German stock he got the practical qualities which made him a successful lawyer, and the dreamy mysticism and gifts of imagination which made him a poet.
His father was Jacob Keith Sass, for many years president of the Bank of Charleston, widely known and honored for his integrity and unselfishness. He represented Charleston in the state legislature. His wife was Octavia (Murden) Sass.
From boyhood George Herbert Sass was fond of good literature. His preparatory education was obtained at a private school in Charleston. From the College of Charleston he was graduated B. A. in 1867. In 1902 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of LL. D.
When very young he determined to become a lawyer, and after leaving college he began the study of law in the office of Charles Richardson Miles, of the Charleston bar; in 1869 he began the practice of law. Socially prominent and popular, he soon built up a good practice. His strong literary tastes led him to connect himself with the staff of the Charleston "News and Courier" as literary editor, and the work he did in that position gave him high standing as a critic and a writer. In 1904 he published "The Heart's Quest: A Book of Verses," which was well received both by the critics and by the public.
He was a member of the board of trustees of the College of Charleston. He was a vestryman of Saint Michael's Protestant Episcopal church. He was also a member of the Ancient artil- lery, of Saint George's society, of the German Friendly society, and of the Commercial club. Since 1883 he had been master for Charleston county. He was always a Democrat, but seldom took an active part in politics. His favorite recreation was a quiet game of whist with congenial companions.
He was married, December 20, 1883, to Anna E. Ravenel, daughter of Dr. St. Julien Ravenel and Harriott Horry Ravenel. They had two children, both of whom are living in 1908.
Doctor Sass died at his home in Charleston, February 10, 1908.
HENRY SCHACHTE
S CHACHTE, HENRY, broker, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on the 21st of December, 1850. His father's name was John Schachte; his mother's, Elizabeth M. Schachte. His father's business was that of a retail merchant, and he was from 1840 to 1842 captain of the German Fusilier company, an old and honorable militia organization in the city of Charleston.
Mr. Schachte's parents came to America from Germany early in the year 1800. His early life was passed in Charleston, where he was educated at the Bennett public school, the Charleston high school, and the College of Charleston. Later he entered Saint John's university, Fordham, New York, and was graduated from that institution in 1871.
On September 18, 1879, he married Caroline M. Bollmann. They have had six sons, five of whom are now (1908) living.
Mr. Schachte began his business career with John F. O'Neill, who was a merchant on East Bay in the city of Charleston. Afterwards he occupied a position in the Peoples National bank, and finally went into business for himself as a broker in 1881, in which business he has attained marked success. He not only ranks among the leading brokers in Charleston, but, as has been the case in all his business career, he takes a prominent part in all matters relating to the welfare and material progress of his native city.
Mr. Schachte for thirty-five years was engaged continuously in the military service of his state. During the troublous times of 1876 he performed effective service in the German Fusileers, one of the oldest military organizations in the United States, which was converted during that period into a so-called "Rifle Club." As private, sergeant, lieutenant and captain of this ancient command he served in turn until the reorganization of the militia of the state under the Dick law, when he was elected colonel of the Third regiment of infantry. It was only recently that because of his pressing business engagements he retired from the service, much to the regret of all who are interested in the preservation of a well-organized militia. Upon the occasion of
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his retirement a very handsome testimonial was presented to him by the officers of his old regiment at a complimentary dinner given in his honor. The same devotion to the best interests of the community that characterized his service in the military establishment has distinguished him in all his efforts for the upbuilding of his city and state.
His address is Number 38 Broad street, Charleston, South Carolina.
MELANCHTHON G. G. SCHERER
S CHERER, REV. MELANCHTHON G. G., Doctor of Divinity, pastor of various churches in Virginia and in North and South Carolina, president of North Carolina college 1896 to 1899, professor of theology in the seminary of the United synod at Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, from 1901 to 1905, and since 1906 president of the South Carolina synod, was born in Catawba county, North Carolina, on March 16, 1861. He is the son of the Rev. Simeon Scherer, who was long a prominent member of the North Carolina synod, and a grandson of the Rev. Jacob Scherer, whose ministerial labors form an interesting chapter in the history of the synods of North Carolina and Southwestern Virginia. His father married Sarah A. J. Roseman, and to his mother Doctor Scherer feels himself indebted for a most marked influence for good. His father's family trace their descent from Jacob Daniel Scherer and his wife (Hannah Sophia Dick), who came from the Palatinate about 1751, settling in North Carolina. From this family have come within the last century some thirteen or fourteen ministers of the Lutheran church; and the aggregate of the years of service in the ministry of these members of the Scherer family would be more than one hundred and fifty years. Doctor Scherer has three brothers who are now in the Lutheran ministry.
In his boyhood, which was passed for the most part in the country, he had excellent health. He was "never allowed to be idle"; but when he was not in school, except at the hours which were his for sports and recreation, he was "regularly employed in some form of useful labor." After attending the country and village schools which were within reach in his boyhood, he entered Roanoke college at Salem, Virginia, in 1878. He was graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1881; and he received the highest honor of the class for scholarship. He at once began the study of theology at the seminary of the General synod of the South, which was then located at Salem, Virginia, where he continued his theological studies throughout the years 1881 and 1882, although he did not complete a course of study at the seminary. Asked to name the
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books which he has found most helpful in fitting him for his work in life, Doctor Scherer says, "The Bible has been my chief study, and has done more for me than all other books. Historical and ethical studies have also engaged much of my time."
He began his work as a preacher of the Gospel in 1882 in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and in 1883 he was ordained a minister of the Lutheran church. He filled various pastorates in Virginia, and was settled at Concord, North Carolina, and at Newberry, South Carolina.
From 1896 to 1899 Doctor Scherer was president of North Carolina college at Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. He admin- istered the affairs of this institution in the most satisfactory manner until July, 1899, when he accepted the unanimous call to become pastor of the Church of the Redeemer at Newberry, South Carolina. He was elected, two years later, to the professorship of theology in the seminary of the United synod of the South at Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The duties of this professor- ship Doctor Scherer discharged from 1901 to 1905. In that year he accepted the call of the Saint Andrew's Lutheran church at Charleston, South Carolina. In November, 1906, he became president of the South Carolina synod.
He received the honorary degree of A. M. from Roanoke college in 1886; and in 1903 the same institution conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He has served for three terms as secretary of the United synod of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church of the South.
On October 20, 1886, he married Alice M. Ehrman. Of their three children, but one is living in 1908.
His address in Charleston, South Carolina.
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ALEXANDER CASNER SHAFFER
S HAFFER, ALEXANDER CASNER, of Walterboro, South Carolina, merchant, president of cotton mills, bank director, long-time clerk of the court of Colleton county, and treasurer of the county, was born in Stillwater, Sussex county, New Jersey, June 2, 1838. His father, Peter Bernhardt Shaffer, was a planter and merchant, an elder in the Presbyterian church, and a major of New Jersey troops in the War of 1812,- a leading man in his community. His mother, Mrs. Rebecca Hendrie Shaffer, influenced strongly for good the life of her son. His father's family in America trace their descent from Alexander C. Shaffer's great-grandfather, Caspar Shaffer, who came from Germany in 1723 and settled in Sussex county, New Jersey, upon lands granted him by the London Land company. He was a member of the royal assembly of New Jersey and as such voted for the expulsion of the royal governor.
Born and passing his early years in the village of Stillwater, he was an active, healthy boy, fond of all out-of-door sports, yet a reader, especially of history and biographies. The village schools and the Newton Collegiate institute gave him such educa- tional facilities as he enjoyed. At the outbreak of the War between the States, in 1861, he entered the army. He served throughout the war in the Harris Light cavalry, the Second New York cavalry, having enlisted as private and being mustered out as captain. His acquaintance with the South in these campaigns led to his settlement later in South Carolina. To his army life he owes, as do many others, a broadened outlook upon life. Indeed, he says that he owes his education chiefly to contact with men in active life.
After the war he was appointed by the war department to adjust the labor conditions in Colleton county, South Carolina, and in this service he spent two years. From 1868 to 1874 he was clerk of the court of Colleton county.
Determining to settle in South Carolina, since 1875 he has been a merchant in Walterboro. In 1895 he became president of the Colleton Cotton mills, and held that office for several years. He is a director in the Farmers and Merchants bank, of Walter-
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boro, and a director in the Walterboro Cotton Oil mills. He was county treasurer of Colleton county from 1874 to 1878. He has been actively concerned in the business life and the civic affairs of Walterboro for the last thirty years, and in those of Colleton county ever since the war-for over forty years.
Mr. Shaffer is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In national affairs he is a Republican; in his own state politics a Democrat. He attends the Presbyterian church.
In early manhood he was something of a devotee of base- ball as a recreation, and he organized the first baseball club in Charleston, South Carolina.
He married Miss Amelia J. Terry in July, 1875. They have had one son, E. T. H. Shaffer, who is now (1908) living.
Mr. Shaffer, in his identification with the interests of the people of South Carolina, and especially with the interests of Walterboro, which he has done so much to develop, is a fair type of the American from the North who identifies himself heartily and sympathetically with the life of his fellow-citizens of a Southern state and becomes "one of them" in the best sense of the words.
His address is Walterboro, Colleton county, South Carolina.
ROBERT WALLACE SHAND
S HAND, ROBERT WALLACE, lawyer, soldier, and author, was born February 27, 1840, in Columbia, Rich- land county, South Carolina. His father, Reverend Peter Johnson Shand, clergyman, was an upright, conscientious man, ever faithful to duty. His mother, Mrs. Mary (Wright) Shand, was a woman of refinement and culture, a beneficent influence on his character and life. His blood is Scotch-English, and his maternal ancestors were distinguished men in colonial history, -one landgrave, Daniel Axtell, 1681; five colonial governors, Joseph Blake (1694), Sir Nathaniel Johnson (1702-1709), Robert Johnson and Thomas Broughton, all of South Carolina, and Sir James Wright, last royal governor of Georgia; Ralph Izard, member of the British house of commons (1725), and Robert Wright, chief justice. The Shand family, in America, was founded by Robert Shand, from Bauff, Scotland, who settled in South Carolina in the last decade of the eighteenth century.
Robert Shand was reared in Columbia, was rather delicate in health and physique, and, excepting his heritage of ambition, his tastes did not differ markedly from those of the average city boy of good family. His primary education was received at home, and his preparatory studies were pursued at the Columbia Male academy, whence he went to South Carolina college, where he was graduated A. B., December 5, 1859. Having a decided taste for the law, he began his professional studies under General Maxey Gregg, and he was admitted to the bar early in 1861. He enlisted in the Confederate army and served most creditably from April, 1861, to February, 1863, as private and non-commis- sioned officer in Company C, Second South Carolina volunteers, and from February, 1863, as lieutenant on bureau duty until the collapse of the Confederacy.
In January, 1866, he began the practice of law in Colum- bia, removing in August of the same year to Union, where he remained until 1883, when he returned to Columbia.
In 1878 he was elected to the state legislature from Union county, but he resigned in September, 1879, upon receiving the appointment of state reporter. He was official reporter of the
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decisions of the supreme court of South Carolina from 1879 to 1895. He is the author of "Shand's Manual," a standard work, published 1882. He was president of the State Bar association in 1905.
He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat; but he did not vote for Bryan.
On April 15, 1863, he married Miss Louisa Coffin Edwards, daughter of Doctor Philip Gadsden Edwards and Anna M. (Coffin) Edwards, of Charleston. Of their nine children, six are (1908) living.
His address is 1026 Sumter street, Columbia, South Caro- lina.
ORLANDO SHEPPARD
S HEPPARD, ORLANDO, lawyer, of Edgefield, county attorney, in the War between the States a member of the Battalion of Cadets of "the Citadel," trustee of the Connie Maxwell orphanage, and member of the board of visitors of the South Carolina Military academy, was born in Edgefield county, South Carolina, December 6, 1844.
His father, James Sheppard, was a planter, prudent, econom- ical, energetic, a member of the general assembly of South Carolina. His mother, Sarah Louisa Sheppard, was a strong formative influence in shaping his intellectual and spiritual life. He was a frail boy whose health demanded care. He was fond of reading rather than of athletic sports. Until he was seven years old he lived in the country on a farm; from seven until sixteen he lived in the village of Edgefield. Through his boyhood he was accustomed to the care of garden, lot, and barn, having daily duties, light but regular. In his fifteenth year he took a plough as a regular hand on the farm. He attended for some six years the Male academy of Edgefield. In 1861 he entered the South Carolina Military academy. He remained with the cadets throughout the war, sharing in all the military service in which they were engaged. He was graduated from "the Citadel" in the class of 1865; but no degrees were conferred that year, although since 1876 diplomas have been sent to members of that class by act of the general assembly.
After the war, although Mr. Sheppard had resolved, when but fourteen, that he would become a lawyer, the care of younger brothers devolved upon him as the older son; and to enable his brothers to secure an education he deferred for ten years the study of his chosen profession. On January 1, 1866, he took charge of the plantation which came to him on the division of his father's estate; and for nine years he devoted himself to the management of this property. When his younger brothers had completed courses of study he felt free to return to the study of the law.
On January 1, 1875, in the law office of his brother, J. C. Sheppard, at Edgefield, he began the systematic study of his chosen profession; and in November of the same year he was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has practiced law at
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