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 21
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ORLANDO SHEPPARD
Edgefield with his brother, under the firm name of Sheppard Brothers. During all these years he has given his attention to the interests of his clients. He has held no public offices except those of notary public, referee in bankruptcy, and county attorney.
The general assembly some five years since elected him a member of the board of visitors of the South Carolina Military academy, and at the last session of the assembly he was reelected without opposition for the term of six years. For six years he has been one of the trustees of the Connie Maxwell orphanage. He is a Democrat, and has always acted with that party. He was a member of the first "Taxpayers' convention," and he was also one of those who took part in the "Straight-Out Democratic convention" of August, 1876.
He is a member of the Baptist church, and for nine years he has been moderator of the Edgefield Baptist association.
To the life and teachings of his early home he ascribes the foremost place in enumerating the influences which have shaped his life. "Love of home, order and system, have been the con- trolling principle of my life," he writes. And in suggesting "helps toward success" for young people, he writes: "On all accounts I have advocated the strengthening and building up of home influence, systematic methods in work, and habits of sav- ing." He adds: "I am very much alarmed at some of the tendencies now prevailing in South Carolina. In the first place, I am very apprehensive of the results which will flow from the weakening of the home influence,-of family ties, in our state. I am also very much alarmed at what I regard to be a fundamental error in the present policy of our state, in monopolizing the immoral traffic in whiskey. It is a monstrous doctrine to my mind for a sovereign state to dignify the sale of whiskey by making it a quasi governmental function; and I am bound to believe that we are sowing to the wind, and in due time we, or our successors, will reap the whirlwind."
Mr. Sheppard is a Mason and has been for two years grand master of the Masons for South Carolina. He is also a Knight of Honor.
On December 22, 1870, he was married to Ella S. Griffin, daughter of Colonel B. F. Griffin, of Newberry. Of their seven children, four are now (1908) living.
His address is Edgefield, South Carolina.
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BASIL MANLY SHUMAN
S HUMAN, BASIL MANLY, was born March 20, 1855, in Hampton, South Carolina. He is the son of William Henry Shuman and Morella Elizabeth Grimes Shuman. His father was a Baptist minister and ordinary of Beaufort district, South Carolina. He was cheerful and charitable in disposition.
The earliest known ancestor of the family in America was Martin Shuman, who came from Germany about the year 1750 and settled in the lower part of South Carolina, in Beaufort district, near what was afterwards known as Robertville. Martin Shuman was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, as was Jonas Johnston, the maternal ancestor of Basil Shuman's father. Both were ardent patriots in the Continental army.
In youth Basil Shuman was of rather delicate health. He was very fond of reading and study. His early life was passed in the country. From his eleventh to his nineteenth year he labored regularly on a farm, going to school occasionally during the fall months. This labor gave him the power of constant effort and application, and the life taught him sobriety and self- control.
His mother was strong intellectually, morally and spiritually, and she exercised a marked influence over her son. Among the various forces which affected his development, the strongest was that of school. His last teacher, Reverend John T. Morrison, of Lawtonville, South Carolina, impressed himself profoundly upon the mind and heart of the young lad. Basil Shuman was not, however, dependent wholly upon teachers; he learned to study alone, and his private studies ranked second in importance to his studies at school. Contact with men was, for him, the influence third in importance, while home stood fourth.
Basil Shuman found no royal road to knowledge. To obtain the last two years of his schooling he had first to earn the money. He early read Macaulay's "Essays" and "History of England," and Tennyson's "Poems," and aside from his professional course of study these books exerted upon him a greater influence than any others.
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In his nineteenth year he entered the Lawtonville academy and took very much the course taught in ordinary colleges, except Greek and higher geometry. He completed this course when he was about twenty-three years old. He had early felt a drawing toward the law, and professional friends, including Col. L. W. Youmans, of Fairfax, strongly advised him to prepare himself for this profession. He accordingly studied in a lawyer's office, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1883. In 1884 he settled in Greenville, South Carolina, where he has ever since successfully practiced his profession.
Mr. Shuman served as a member of the South Carolina house of representatives for four years, to which body he was elected in the fall of 1892. He is a member and president of the literary and scientific club of thirty-nine of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a lifelong Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church, of which he is a member. His recreation he finds in riding out afternoons in his buggy, and reading light litera- ture, history and novels in the evening.
Speaking of failures, he says: "I feel that I have done the best I could under the circumstances. If I have made any mis- take it has been in expressing my opinions too emphatically when there was no especial reason why I should speak, and in my not being quite gracious enough towards those whom I did not regard as my friends. This is due to the fact that I have always felt deeply."
To young Americans he advises, first, thorough preparation for the work of life; second, industry and earnestness in the pursuit of the same, accompanied by high standards of honor and strict integrity; third, consideration for the feelings of others, and the exercise of true politeness toward all.
On April 30, 1890, Mr. Shuman married Henrietta H. Tindal, daughter of Henry F. and Martha M. Tindal, of Clarendon county, South Carolina.
His address is Greenville, South Carolina.
OSCAR BROWNLEE SIMMONS
S IMMONS, OSCAR BROWNLEE, merchant and banker, of Laurens, South Carolina, was born May 4, 1856, on a farm in the country where he still resides. His father, . James A. Simmons, was a farmer who served during the War between the States as a lieutenant in the South Carolina reserves. To his mother, Mrs. Mazy (Medlock) Simmons, he feels himself indebted for much of the best influence his life has known. His father's family were of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather, John Simmons, having come from Scotland and settled in Vir- ginia about 1760.
Born on a farm, and knowing a healthy boyhood, he was early accustomed to all kinds of farm work, and "as soon as he was large enough," he says, he "became a full-fledged farmer." In the winter when there was no out-of-door farm work, he says, "I had to spin twelve cuts of thread daily, which, being a boy, I did not like to do. This was just after the war, when our mother wove cloth for our clothing, and the daughters of the family, save one, were too small to spin."
He attended "such common schools as we had just after the war," and for several years worked on his father's farm. But following his own preference and that determination to make money in fair trade which he consciously formed in early boy- hood, and about which he used to joke with his father, repeatedly affirming "I expect to be a rich man," in 1879 he entered a store for the sale of general merchandise, at Hodges, Abbeville county. Here he was a clerk until 1883, when he bought a half interest in the business of his employer, Mr. M. A. Cason. Having care- fully saved his earnings and profits, in 1884, when the opportu- nity offered, he was able to buy the entire business; and with his brother, C. P. Simmons, he formed a partnership which con- tinued until 1895.
In November, 1895, he was elected vice-president of the Bank of Laurens, at its organization; and in 1896 he was elected presi- dent, a position which he still holds.
He is connected with the Methodist church, and acts as steward of the church in Laurens, as well as chairman of the
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board of trustees of the church property. He has served for seven years as a trustee of the graded schools of his town; and the term for which he was recently elected calls for four years more of continuous service. For six years he has served as presi- dent of the Perpetual Building and Loan association, of Laurens. He is also a director of the Telephone company, and of the Crescent Manufacturing company, of Laurens.
He is a Mason. In politics he is a Democrat.
On February 28, 1884, he married Maggie J. Clardy, daugh- ter of James Clardy, of Laurens county, South Carolina. They have had seven children, of whom six are now (1907) living.
RICHARD WRIGHT SIMPSON
S IMPSON, RICHARD WRIGHT, was born at Pendleton, Anderson county, South Carolina, September 11, 1840. His father was Richard Franklin Simpson, and his - mother, M. Margaret Taliaferro Simpson. His father was a lawyer, later a planter, and a man of means. He served in the state senate, the United States congress, and the South Carolina secession convention. In the Florida war he was a major. He was characterized by all that goes to make up a Christian gentle- man. The ancestors include the Taliaferros from Rome, the Carters from England, the Chews and Beverlies from the same country, and the Simpsons from the north of Ireland. The Simpson family settled in Laurens county, South Carolina; the others settled in Maryland and Virginia in the period between 1600 and 1640.
The subject of this sketch enjoyed an ideal boyhood. He was well and strong, the son of indulgent parents, and lived a free country life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and liked to work with tools. At home he read the Bible, Shakespeare, and Scott's novels. He attended Pendleton academy and was grad- uated from Wofford college in 1861. In 1874 he was granted the degree of Master of Arts by the same institution.
He served as a private in the Confederate army in Company A, Third regiment South Carolina volunteers, and in Adams' battalion of cavalry from April, 1861, to 1863, when, on account of disease contracted in the service, he was detailed for special duty until the close of the war.
His active life-work began with the close of the war, which cost him his all, and threw him, for the first time, upon his own resources. He first farmed in Anderson county. Later he practiced law at Anderson courthouse. He has been local attorney for the Blue Ridge railroad and the Southern railroad, serving the first for twenty-eight years and the latter for fifteen years. He has been attorney for the Bank of Pendleton. He was also attorney for Mr. Clemson, wrote his will, and successfully defended it through the supreme court of the United States; he was also executor for Mr. Clemson and made possible the estab-
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lishment of Clemson college. Mr. Simpson was a member of the state legislature 1874-1881, and was president of the board of trustees of Clemson college from its foundation, in 1890, until 1907, when he resigned on account of failing health. He was chairman of the committee on ways and means of the South Carolina house of representatives in 1876-1877, which aided in the settlement of the public debt of the state. He was active in the work of freeing the state from negro rule, having originated the Red Shirt uniform three days before the Hampton campaign meeting in 1876, and taking an active part in the campaign.
Mr. Simpson is a Mason, having taken all the degrees in the York Rite and thirty degrees in the Scottish Rite. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
During a dangerous illness following the war Mr. Simpson entered into a solemn contract with his Creator that, if his life were spared, thereafter he would spend the remainder of it in an endeavor to ameliorate the condition of the needy and unfor- tunate. This event he regards as the most important in his life. The obligation thus entered into he has ever since sacredly observed in his voting and in every act of his public and private life.
On February 10, 1863, Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Maria Louise Garlington. Ten children were born of this marriage, nine of whom are now (1908) living.
His address is Pendleton, Anderson county, South Carolina.
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WILLIAM ASA SIMPSON
S IMPSON, WILLIAM ASA, banker, merchant and farmer, residing at Williamston, Anderson county, South Carolina, was born in Anderson county, on the 4th of May, 1859. He is a representative of the constantly increasing class of citizens of South Carolina who, by careful attention to farming and to safe and healthful business as merchants, have helped on the growing prosperity of the South in its new era of manufactures and varied industries, while at the same time they have added to their own prosperity by business ability and public spirit, which have forwarded the interests of the whole community in which they dwell.
He is a son of James H. Simpson, a successful farmer who is remembered for his integrity, industry and kindliness. His mother was Mrs. Mary Jane (Acker) Simpson, daughter of John Acker, of Anderson county. The family belongs to that notably useful class of citizens of South Carolina who trace their descent from Scotch-Irish ancestry. The first of his direct ancestors to settle in America was John Simpson, who came from Ireland in 1786, and settled at Tumbling Shoals, Laurens county, South Carolina.
His early life was passed on his father's plantation in the country ; and he learned to be familiar with all the varieties of farm work, while he was trained, as a part of his business educa- tion, to the daily performance of certain of those duties about the house and the farm which naturally fall to a farmer's son. His opportunities for attending school in his boyhood were limited to the common country schools within reach of his home; and after he came to an age to be helpful in the work of the farm he attended school for only a part of each year, taking an active share in getting in and harvesting the crops of the farm. But this farm work early gave him definite ideas, not only with reference to the needful work on a farm, but also with reference to the best methods of planning for the labor of others, and of managing labor.
In his early manhood he established himself as a farmer two miles from Piedmont, in Anderson county. His preference,
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based upon observation and the knowledge of human nature which he had early acquired, led him to feel from the first a strong determination to make his way ultimately to the manage- ment of a banking business. To the business of farming he soon added a general merchandising business. As this business increased he interested himself also in banking. Since 1902 he has been president of the Bank of Piedmont, and since 1905 he has also been president of the Farmers bank. of Williamston.
Mr. Simpson has not only been interested in the management of his own business, and of the banking business, in which the general interests of the community as well as his own were involved, but he has also given time and attention to all that concerns the welfare of the county in which he resides.
By religious conviction he is identified with the Presbyterian church.
In his political faith he is a Democrat; and he has never swerved from the heartiest allegiance to the principles and nomi- nees of that party.
Mr. Simpson is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is also a Knight of Pythias. He is a member of the Order of Red Men.
The daily duties of his life have been such as to give to him a certain amount of exercise out of doors for many years; and he has not found it necessary to give any special attention to exercise for health or for recreation and diversion. He has been fortunate in finding in the daily duties of his home and of his business life, interests and recreation sufficient for him.
In 1883, on the 2d of January, Mr. Simpson married Miss Sara Long, daughter of Ezekiel Long, of Anderson county. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living in 1907.
JAMES LOYAL SIMS
S IMS, JAMES LOYAL, printer and editor, of Orange- burg, South Carolina, was born in Charleston county on the 8th of August, 1850. His father, A. G. Sims, was a planter, whose family came from Virginia to South Carolina. His mother's maiden name was Gelzer.
The first ten years of his life were spent in the country upon a farm. Like multitudes of planters through the South, his family found themselves impoverished as the result of the War between the States, and the son was compelled early in life to work for his own support. After a few years of school in his early boyhood, he had to depend upon reading and private study for his education; and history, and especially biography, had for him a strong attraction while he was still a boy, and have been his favorite lines of reading throughout his later life. When about fourteen years old he obtained a position in the office of "The Charleston Courier," to learn the printer's trade. One inducement which led him to the choice of this line of life-work was the hope that printing and newspaper work would give to him many of the results of a liberal course of study, and would prove an education as well as a means of support. He has been constantly in newspaper work since he was fifteen, at first as a printer, then as an editor.
Since 1878, Mr. Sims has been editor and proprietor of the "Times and Democrat," at Orangeburg, Orangeburg county, South Carolina.
On the 11th of November, 1889, Mr. Sims married Miss Georgia Carolina Sheridan, daughter of Prof. Hugo G. Sheridan, of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They have had seven children, five of whom are living in 1907.
Mr. Sims has never sought or accepted political office, except that he has for some years held and still holds the position of school trustee at Orangeburg.
He is a Mason and an officer of the Blue Lodge.
In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. By religious conviction he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
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Mr. Sims, in his youth and his later life, has derived much pleasure and profit from out-of-door exercise. His favorite amusements are hunting, fishing and baseball; and for indoors, billiards and chess.
To the young people of South Carolina he offers advice in these words: "Be truthful and honest, above all things; diligent in business; respectful to older people and to your superiors,- and success will come."
WILLIAM GEORGE SIRRINE
S IRRINE, WILLIAM GEORGE, of Greenville, Greenville county, South Carolina, lawyer, since 1903 city attorney of Greenville, captain of Company B, Second South Caro- lina volunteer infantry, serving ten months in the United States and Cuba in 1898, was born at Americus, in Sumter county, Georgia, on the 30th of December, 1870. His father was George William Sirrine, a manufacturer of carriages and wagons, presi- dent and organizer of the Greenville Hospital association and of the Neblett free library, and commander of a camp of Confed- erate veterans,-a man of sterling character, unflagging patience and perseverance and great amiability. His family are of French descent and settled in New York state before the Revolution, the grandfather of William G. Sirrine having married a lady who was descended from early pioneers in New England. George W. Sirrine married Miss Sarah E. Rylander, whose family were from Georgia, where they had settled in the time of Oglethorpe. Mr. Sirrine writes with pride: "My ancestors have been quiet, intel- ligent and industrious people; so far as known, the family record on both sides does not contain the name of a dissolute or a criminal person."
His early boyhood was passed in the little city of Greenville. He was especially interested as a boy in mechanical devices, and he found his greatest enjoyment in books, although he was fond of hunting and fishing. He was taught, while still a young boy, to "cut the wood, work in the garden, and be helpful in all ways to his mother about the home, as well as to work in the carriage factory conducted by his father." His taste for good literature was strong, even in boyhood; and he read many histories, the novels of Bulwer and of Scott, and "a little of everything within his reach, just to know what literature really is; but histories and biographies had the most important place in his reading." He was offered a thorough education by his parents; but, as he writes, "he would not study," and after two years at Furman university, and the University of South Carolina, he left the course in mechanical engineering without graduating, and began newspaper work. He had had two or three years' experience as
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clerk in hardware stores before he went to college. The deter- mination to write was strong within him, even in early boyhood.
Beginning newspaper work as a reporter on the "Greenville News," in February, 1889, he went in May of that year to Phila- delphia and served as reporter for several newspapers in that city until January, 1890, when he took a position with the New York "Evening Post," acting as reporter for that newspaper until February, 1894. Meanwhile, besides various special articles care- fully worked up, he had written several stories; but, being deter- mined to study the law, he laid aside his ambition to make a place for himself as a writer of fiction.
He was admitted to the bar in South Carolina in May, 1895, and began the practice of his profession at Greenville in Sep- tember. He organized Company B of the Second South Carolina infantry in June, 1898, and was elected captain of the company; and he served for ten months in the United States and Cuba. Returning to the practice of his profession in September, 1903, he was elected city attorney of Greenville, a position which he still holds in 1907.
On the 9th of July, 1902, he married Miss Nana Louise Macleod, daughter of Captain Duncan Macleod, of Inverness, Scotland. He was a retired army officer and had moved to Vir- ginia and thence to Asheville, North Carolina.
Mr. Sirrine is a Mason and a member of the Elks, and has held office in each of these fraternities. He is also a member of the Sans Souci Country club, secretary of the Municipal league, and a member of the Greenville board of trade.
In politics he is allied with the Democratic party. By religious conviction he is a communicant of the Protestant Epis- copal church. He describes himself as "fond of nature, and especially of trees and mountain streams."
While Mr. Sirrine has not yet reached the age at which older men are expected to give wise advice to younger men, he modestly says to the boys and young people of South Carolina who are hoping to attain true success in life: "Never do anything, how- ever trivial, without remembering that in a sense the world is watching you and will judge you by that act. This will result in the habit of honorable and just conduct; and the sum of your acts is your whole character. Character is everything, and you can't lose it."
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AUGUSTUS JOHN SITTON
S ITTON, AUGUSTUS JOHN, of Autun, Anderson county, South Carolina, cotton manufacturer, wholesale manufac- turer of carriages, and manager and afterward owner of the Pendleton Manufacturing company, was born at Pendleton, Anderson county, South Carolina, on the 16th of December, 1838. His father, John Bradley Sitton, was for more than thirty years postmaster of Pendleton, and was mayor of Pendleton, as well as the proprietor of a large carriage factory-an active and energetic man of business, whose ancestors had come from Eng- land to South Carolina.
Augustus J. Sitton, born in a village and passing his boy- hood there, attended the schools which were within reach of his home; but from his early boyhood he was so steadily interested in the business of his father that duties at the carriage factory and at the postoffice were allowed to interfere with regularity of attendance at school. Yet he received a valuable part of his education from this early acquaintance with the forms of manual labor which are involved in the manufacturing of the wood work and the iron work of wagons, buggies and carriages; and he became familiar, too, with the materials and the methods used in finishing and painting carriages and wagons. The practical acquaintance with all the details of the business which he thus early acquired has been at the foundation of his success as the head of a large manufacturing establishment.
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