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 23
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Mr. Smyth was never a robust child. His early life was passed almost entirely in the city of Charleston. He was always fond of gardening and had a taste for mechanics which showed itself in carpenter work, which he pursued with ardor, though never formally apprenticed. He spent his leisure hours in build- ing pigeon houses and homes for his various pets. Mr. Smyth has always attributed to his mother a particularly strong influence upon the development of his character. His favorite reading, which was supervised by his father, lay in the direction of poetry and history, and especially in the reading of the Bible. His constitution being naturally delicate, he found it difficult to study with the regularity which he desired. He attended Dr. Miller's preparatory school in the city of Charleston. He then went to the high school, and afterwards to the famous school of Searle, Miles and Sachtleben, at which so many eminent Charlestonians received their early educational training. Subsequently he went to the College of Charleston, from which he was graduated with
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first honor in March, 1858. Immediately after his graduation he began the active work of life as a clerk in the establishment of J. E. Adger & Company. His choice of an occupation was chiefly guided by the wishes of his family, but he has all along been proud to call himself "a Charleston merchant." For five years he was president of the cotton exchange, Charleston, South Carolina; he has been president of the Travelers' Protective association, and he is now president of the Charleston chamber of commerce. For fifteen years he was an alderman, and for eight years,-from 1895 to 1903,-he was mayor of Charleston. For eighteen years he was president of the corporation of the Second Presbyterian church, and he has been an elder of the same church since 1868. For three years he was grand master and for two years grand high priest of the Masons of South Carolina. When the War between the States broke out he volunteered in April, 1862, in Company A of the Twenty-fifth regiment of South Carolina infantry. In 1865 he was paroled in North Carolina. Before the war he had served in the city fire department. Mr. Smyth is a member of the Commercial club, the Country club, the St. George's society, the St. Andrew's society, the St. Cecilia society, and others. He has always been identified with the Democratic party and has never wavered in his allegiance thereto. His religious affiliation has always been with the Presbyterian denomination. His favorite form of exercise is mountain climb- ing, walking, yachting, hunting, and driving. He attributes his strong impulses to strive for such prizes of life as he has won to the influence of his mother and his wife. He has traveled considerably and feels that he has gained much thereby. Since December, 1903, he has spent about three years in Europe, and in the winter of 1906-1907 he passed two months in Egypt.
While mayor of Charleston he performed many useful public services. He was very largely instrumental in the establishment of the new naval station at Charleston, having worked for that end with the perseverance, tenacity and earnestness which have characterized his general course in life.
In March, 1860, Mr. Smyth married Annie R. Briggs, who died in 1901. They had six children, of whom five,-three sons and two daughters,-are now (1908) living. On November 17, 1903, he married Ella C. Campbell.
His address is Number 14 Legare street, Charleston, South Carolina.
AUGUSTINE THOMAS SMYTHE
S MYTHE, AUGUSTINE THOMAS, business man, and public man, was born at Charleston, in Charleston county, South Carolina, October 5, 1842. He is the son of Rev. Thomas Smythe, D. D., and Margaret Milligan Adger Smythe. His father, a Presbyterian minister, was distinguished in his profession and characterized by great will-power and capacity for work. He was also a gifted speaker and writer.
Mr. Smythe is of Irish descent. His father emigrated from Belfast, Ireland, in 1830, and his maternal grandfather, James Adger, emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1790.
In childhood the subject of this sketch had robust physical health, and from youth he enjoyed athletic exercises, including riding, boating and swimming. His early life was passed chiefly in Charleston, though much of his time he spent in the country in touch with nature. In helping his mother with her gardening he became, and has since continued, very fond of plants and their culture. Opportunity for travel, both in this country and abroad, afforded him the educational advantages of change of scene and varied association.
The boy was blessed with a good mother, to whose influence on his moral, intellectual and spiritual life he attributes much of his success. As a youth and young man he was a hard student. His taste for good literature was largely cultivated by his father, who required the son to read aloud to him from the standard poets, essayists and historians. This exercise, long continued, resulted in establishing in the boy an ardent lover for the English classics.
Young Smythe's academic education was received in Pro- fessor Sachtleben's private school, and in the South Carolina college, which he left in 1862 to enter the Confederate army. The studies thus interrupted were resumed in the office of Messrs. Simonton & Barker, attorneys at law, Charleston, South Carolina.
Mr. Smythe's active life-work began with his enlistment in the army, in which he served from 1862 to the close of the conflict. As a result of the war, he, like many others, lost his all. Hard
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necessity, therefore, drove him to the struggle for bread; but this he regards as a blessing in disguise, for it called out his energies and prepared him for the larger work of life.
Major Smythe has practiced law ; has been a director in and a solicitor for a large number of corporations of all kinds, notably the Coosaw Mining company, the Pelzer Manufacturing company and others; he also served as a state senator from Charleston county for the fourteen years beginning with 1880 and ending with 1894. He was a trustee of South Carolina college from 1890 to 1896, and of Clemson Agricultural college from 1900 to 1906. He has also served as president of the Hibernian society, commo- dore of the Carolina Yacht club, captain of the Washington artillery, and major of the First Battalion of artillery. Major Smythe is also a member of the order of Freemasons, of the Knights of Pythias, the St. Cecilia society, the Commercial club, the Charleston club, the Country club, the South Carolina society, the D. K. E. fraternity, and Camp Sumter United Confederate veterans. In addition, he has served as master, grand master, high priest, grand high priest, and eminent commander, in the Masonic fraternity; and as chancellor and first state grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias; and in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. As a soldier he served from 1862 to the end of the war; he did duty on the ironclad "Palmetto State," in Charleston harbor, in Battery Wagner and Fort Sumter, and was in Logan's cavalry brigade in North Carolina at the end of the war.
In politics Major Smythe has always been a Democrat. In 1892, after long service in the senate of his state, he desired to retire to private life and attend to his personal affairs. A peti- tion, however, signed by some four hundred citizens of Charleston, was sent him, urging him to continue in the public service. Upon the receipt and publication of this communication, he consented to re-accept the nomination, and was again reelected, as he had been twice before, without opposition.
In religion Major Smythe is a Presbyterian. His favorite amusements are yachting, driving, and riding. Biographical sketches of his life have been published in a number of books of biography. He has always been a hard worker, and has never been willing to give up what he has undertaken. Of himself he
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modestly says: "If I have had any success I ascribe it to the influence and teachings of my father and mother and of Pro- fessor Sachtleben."
Major Smythe was married, June 27, 1865, to Miss Louisa McCord. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are now (1907) living.
His address is 31 Legare street, Charleston, South Carolina.
Men of Mark Publishing Company Washington, D C.
Very Respectfully yyStrach A
THOMAS JEFFERSON STRAIT
S TRAIT, THOMAS JEFFERSON, physician and philan- thropist, was born in Chester district, South Carolina, December 25, 1846. His parents were Jacob Fox and Isabella (Wylie) Strait.
He lived with his parents on a farm until 1862, when, though he was only a boy, he entered the Confederate States army. He served in Company A, Sixth regiment of infantry, until Novem- ber, 1863, when he was transferred to Company H, Twenty-fourth regiment, Gist's brigade, in which he served as sergeant until the close of the war. The hardships and privations of army life were endured patiently and manfully, and while suffering from them he laid deep and broad foundations of his character. At the close of the war he returned to his home. He was ambitious and energetic, and he resolved to obtain the best prizes of life which were within his reach. Realizing that "knowledge is power," and that power is essential to success, he resolved to spend what time he could in school. He commenced a course of study at Mayesville, South Carolina, which was completed at Cooper institute, Lauderdale county, Mississippi. He then returned to his home and divided his time between farm work and teaching. While deliberating on the choice of a profession he felt drawn toward that of medicine and he finally decided to become a physician. Before he left the farm he commenced reading medicine. Later he took a course in this science in the Medical College of the State of South Carolina, from which institution he was graduated with distinction in 1885. He at once engaged in practice, and soon won a high standing in his profession. Not only was he a skillful practitioner, but he was also noted for his kindness in treating a large number of sick people who were too poor to pay for professional services.
On December 2, 1867, Doctor Strait was married to Miss Kate A. Lathrop, of Louisville, Kentucky, a lady of high literary and musical attainments. Having no children of their own, they have made their home a refuge for the homeless. Of their protégés, seventeen in number, several are now worthy farmers, physicians, lawyers, artists, and home-makers.
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The ability and popularity of Doctor Strait led, in 1890, to his election to the state senate. In this body he served with such efficiency and fidelity that before his term expired he was nomi- nated by the Democratic party to represent the fifth district in congress. This district embraced the five counties of Chester, Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster and York, and two townships each in Spartanburg and Union counties. He was elected to the fifty-third, and, by sucessive reëlections, was a member of the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth congresses. He was an active worker and served on several important committees. Since his retire- ment from congress he has been engaged in the practice of his profession.
The address of Doctor Strait is Lancaster, South Carolina.
yours truly, alo que euro.
ABRAM WEST SUMMERS
S UMMERS, ABRAM WEST, of Orangeburg, South Caro- lina, lawyer, in 1904-05 a presidential elector for South Carolina, was born near Branchville, Orangeburg county, on the 18th of April, 1862. His father, Jacob Washington Sum- mers, was a physician and a farmer, and represented his county in the legislature. He is remembered as a fearless and unselfish man, devoted to his professional duty, and of fine public spirit. His mother was Mrs. Jemima E. (West) Summers, whose death occurred before her son was sixteen months old, leaving him early to the care of a stepmother, whose influence was strong for good on his intellectual and moral life. The family traces its descent from the brothers George, William and John Summers, of Eng- lish descent, who in 1760 settled near Cattle Creek Camp Ground, in Orangeburg county, South Carolina. George Summers, the great-grandfather of Abram West Summers, enlisted with Gen- eral Marion's men and was killed by the Tories near his residence in Orangeburg county.
His boyhood and early manhood were passed in the country. As a boy he was slight but strong; and while he was an eager reader of books, he was very fond of out-of-door sports. He made excellent progress in studies preparatory for college, and was fitted to enter college several years before his father thought it advisable to send him away from home. As a boy and a young man he engaged heartily and regularly in the work upon his father's farm, taking his place in the field with laboring men for five successive years, and in his boyhood doing his full share of the "chores" on the farm, milking cows, feeding stock, etc. Mr. Summers feels that his physical health, his business habits, and his character received great benefit from this early training to work with his hands.
After attending country schools near Branchville, he was for a while at the Sheridan school near Elloree, then for a time he was a student at Haigler's academy near Cameron, South Caro- lina. He was graduated from South Carolina college in June, 1884, with the degree of A. B., having attended Wofford college, at Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1880 to 1882.
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Entering the law office of Judge Izlar at Orangeburg, South Carolina, he at once began the study of law, and he was admitted to the bar in March, 1888. His choice of a profession was in part due to the wish of his parents, but chiefly to his own preference for that profession.
Asked what were the books which have shaped his career, and what was the source of his first strong impulse to strive for success in life, he says that preeminently the book of his life was the Bible. "From close study of the Bible I was taught to pursue ardently the best things." He accounts the influence of his early Christian home the strongest influence his life has known.
While at Wofford college he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He is a Knight of Pythias.
In the campaign of 1904 he was chosen one of the presi- dential electors for the state of South Carolina. He is a Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and has always acted with that party.
By religious conviction he early became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He has been for years a steward of St. Paul's church of that denomination at Orange- burg, South Carolina, and he served for several years as super- intendent of the Sunday school at Orange mills.
The key to true success in life, he suggests to the young people of his state, is found in "strict devotion to duty, viewing life from the standpoint of duty rather than from the point of ascertaining and enforcing one's rights."
On the 11th of February, 1892, he was married to Miss Carrie Erwin Moss, daughter of Captain William C. Moss, of Orange- burg, South Carolina. They have had five children, four of whom are living in 1907.
Testum
RICHARD JAMES TATUM
T ATUM, RICHARD JAMES, of Tatum's Station, Marl- boro county, South Carolina, merchant and farmer, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 4th of . January, 1832.
His father, John Tatum, was a soldier in the Mexican war, and served in the Confederate army during the War between the States, although he was sixty-two years old when he enlisted. He had married Miss Sarah R. Bell. The earlier ancestors of Mr. Tatum's family came from Virginia to North Carolina, and were of English descent.
Passing his boyhood in the country and on a farm, he was allowed and encouraged to make himself familiar with all kinds of farm work. This developed in him early a sense of personal responsibility for the regular discharge of daily duties. And the early familiarity which he thus acquired with all forms of farm work has been of much advantage to him throughout his life. The character and teachings of his mother, who was devoutly religious, have been a strong influence for good in all his later years. Throughout his life he has sought to make and carry out his own plans in the light of principle. Reared in a neighbor- hood where the influence of the Friends was strong, and having many Quakers among his early companions and schoolmates, he has felt through his whole life the influence of the careful speech, quiet manners and regard for principle which characterize the best of the Friends.
But when the War between the States broke out the influence of the Friends was not so strong as to keep him out of the ranks of those who rallied for the defence of state rights, and he enlisted in the Eighth South Carolina regiment. He was at the first battle of Manassas. For some time later he served in the quartermaster's department.
After the war he devoted himself again to farming, and began to build up a mercantile business of his own. He has served as postmaster of his town for ten years. He was also intendant of his town for a term.
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RICHARD JAMES TATUM
On the 18th of January, 1857, he married Miss Mary Adams Bethea, daughter of Jesse Bethea, of Marlboro county. They have had three children, two of whom are living in 1908.
By political convictions Mr. Tatum is a Democrat, and he has uniformly supported the principles and the nominees of that party.
By early training and by definite later choice he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and he has always been an earnest worker in the interest of that church in the community where he has lived.
To the young men of his state he commends the habit of thoughtful deliberation before acting, and great firmness and persistence when the right line of action has been marked out and entered upon. He also holds that no true-hearted American citizen should ever be under the influence of intoxicating drink, or should ever allow himself to lapse into the habit of profanity ; and these two points he especially commends to the young men of his state.
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JAMES EZRA TINDAL
T INDAL, JAMES EZRA, soldier, legislator, and farmer, was born near the village of Summerton, in Clarendon county, South Carolina, February 1, 1839. His parents were Henry Fox and Margaret (Allen) Tindal. His father was a man of indomitable energy, a firm believer in religious liberty, and, like most of his ancestors, was a stanch member of the Baptist church. His mother died soon after his birth and left no other child. Some years later his father was married to Martha M., daughter of the Honorable L. F. Rhame. They had eight children. The earliest ancestor of the family in this country was the great-grandfather of James Ezra Tindal, who came from England and settled in North Carolina, and whose son, James Tindal, born in 1773, removed in early manhood to South Carolina, where he reared a large and influential family of sons and daughters. In due time the father of the subject of this sketch came into possession of the old homestead.
James Tindal attended the neighboring schools, and was prepared for college by Robert K. Rutledge. He made rapid progress with his studies, and when he was only fifteen years of age the school trustees authorized his employment as an assistant teacher. This awakened his ambition and led to the belief that he would find his life-work in teaching and the hope that he would eventually reach a professorship. He was graduated with honor from Furman university in the class of 1858, and went to the University of Bonn, in Germany, to prepare himself more fully for his chosen calling. Before he had completed his pro- jected course of study the War between the States came on and he returned home to take part in the conflict.
His first army service was with the cavalry on the coast of South Carolina, but later he entered the artillery. When the Hampton legion was organized he joined Gardner's battery and went to Virginia. In 1862 this was united with other batteries which formed a battalion, under the command of Colonel John C. Haskell, and served in the Army of Northern Virginia until the surrender at Appomattox. During the war Mr. Tindal was promoted first sergeant. He received several slight wounds.
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On returning home he found a "reign of terror" existing in all that region. The Federal troops engaged in Potter's raid had passed near and committed many depredations. He organized the boys and returned soldiers and restored and preserved order until the regular military authorities took charge. The schools were in a demoralized condition, and the profession of teaching promised little more than starvation. So Mr. Tindal gave up his plans, and in 1866 began to cultivate a tract of land which he had bought on credit. He was successful in farming, and followed that occupation until his death, with the result that he has a large landed estate. His success was due to the fact that he promptly discarded the methods of the old slavery days and adopted a new and improved system of cultivation. For five years he conducted elaborate experiments, and by applying the knowledge thus acquired he increased the production of his land to three times its former yield. His success in this direction led him to favor action by the state in the same line of experiment and in educating young men in the sciences most helpful to agriculture.
Mr. Tindal has long been connected with the church with which his ancestors worshipped. Since 1872 he has been super- intendent of the Sunday school; in 1880 he was ordained deacon, and he has been and still is active in promoting the interests of the Baptist denomination and religious work in general, without regard to the denomination represented. He firmly believes that society and the state can be elevated only through the religious life of the people. He has also taken great interest in civil and industrial affairs and has thus endeavored to promote the welfare of the people at large.
At an early period he took advanced ground regarding the colored people of the South, and in his first public speech (1865), which he was not allowed to complete, he said: "We cannot suspend the negro between slavery and citizenship. We should set a qualification for suffrage and let him vote when he attains to it under our tutelage, or he will get manhood suffrage and ruin the state." He was a delegate to the taxpayers' convention, and 1873-75 was master of his local grange. He also served as lecturer of the state grange, an organization that brought about a union of sentiment and a revival of hope that made possible the campaign of 1876. In that campaign he served as a member
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of the county executive committee. He was elected a member of the house of representatives in 1880, 1886, 1888, and secretary of state in 1890 and 1892. He served as a delegate to several state Democratic conventions, and to the national Democratic conventions of 1892 and 1904.
Probably the most important public service rendered by Mr. Tindal has been in behalf of popular education. His efforts in this direction were commenced immediately after the close of the war, and have been continued to the present time. He has advocated a cordial support of the school system; in 1881-82 he aided in restoring the Citadel and South Carolina college, and also made earnest efforts to secure the establishment by the state of a bona fide agricultural college on a farm. In 1886 he renewed his contention for an agricultural college, but seeing so little hope of success through legislative action, he joined heartily with Benjamin R. Tillman, now United States senator, in agitating the subject among the people. This movement resulted in a convention held to demand the establishment of such an insti- tution. Mr. Tindal was elected president of the convention and was sent to Mississippi to examine the agricultural college in that state and report to a subsequent convention. When the college was established he was elected a trustee, and he still serves in that capacity.
In 1894 certain leaders of the Reform faction resolved to hold a meeting in advance of the general primary in order to deprive the opposition of a voice in choosing state officers. As the Reformers were in overwhelming majority, this would prac- tically disfranchise their opponents. Feeling that this was a great injustice, and fearing danger to the peace and progress of the state if this course was continued, he became a candidate for governor before this primary, though without hope of being elected unless it should be abandoned. He pointed out the wrong, the inconsistency and the danger of "treating the opposition as aliens and enemies of the state." He was defeated, but the vote was so small that the Reform convention passed a resolution that such a primary should never be repeated.
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