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 6
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NEILS CHRISTENSEN, JR.
law at the next session, and inaugurated a unique system that is accomplishing the objects for which it was created. A committee to investigate the state dispensary was also appointed during the session of 1905, and of this, too, Mr. Christensen was appointed a member. Upon his motion, the committee was divided into sub-committees, and upon one of these he served with Honorable J. F. Lyon, of Abbeville. This sub-committee produced witnesses before the committee of the whole during meetings that covered more than a year. The evidence of corruption produced so stirred the commonwealth that the state dispensary system was overthrown by the legislature after the issue had been passed on by the people at large in a primary election. He was one of the leaders in the senate in the establishment of a reformatory, and the State Audubon commission, and he supported bills for compulsory education, a marriage license law, and ten hours for mill workers. He is a member of the senate committees on finance, education, and military, and is chairman of the com- mittees on immigration and printing. He is a director of the immigration society, and of the Audubon society of the state.
In religious belief he is a Unitarian. In politics he is a positive Democrat. He is a Knight of Pythias. During the year 1904-05 he was vice-president of the State Press association.
JESSE FRANKLIN CLEVELAND
C LEVELAND, JESSE FRANKLIN, M. D., physician, farmer, and business man, was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, February 7, 1847. His parents were Robert Easley and Elizabeth Catherine (Bomar) Cleveland. His father was a physician and financier, who had large business interests. He neither held nor sought official position, but took an active interest in public affairs and was especially earnest in promoting improvements in his town and county. He was noted for his practical ideas, sound judgment, sociability, and loyalty to his friends. The earliest known ancestor of the family in this country was Alexander Cleveland, senior, who came from England and settled on the Bull Run, in Prince William county, Virginia. His son, Alexander, junior, and his grandson, John, removed to Blue Run, Orange county, Virginia. John, who was born in 1695, removed to Wilkes county, North Carolina, where he reared a large family. Two of his sons, Benjamin and Robert, were soldiers in the Revolution, and were distinguished for leadership and bravery at King's Mountain and elsewhere. Jesse Cleveland, a son of Robert, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the first settlers of the town of Spartan- burg. He was a merchant by occupation, and was noted for his honesty and integrity. As judged by the standards of that time, he accumulated considerable property, mostly in land, a large part of which is now held by his descendants.
In childhood and youth the subject of this sketch was delicate in appearance, but his health was always good. He delighted in outdoor sports-riding, fishing, hunting, etc., and when not in school spent most of his time in the open air with dogs and gun. Though his home was in town, he was always a great lover of nature, and spent much of his lesiure time in the country. Both as boy and man, the woods, streams, and animal life of every kind, have had for him a strong fascination. He was never obliged to regularly perform manual labor, but when a boy he was required, with his brother, John B. Cleveland, to do consid- erable work in the vegetable garden. He states that he did not
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love the work, but his "father liked a good garden and he was very persuasive."
He attended the preparatory school of Wofford college until that institution was closed on account of the war. After peace was declared he returned to college and pursued his studies to the junior year, when he left in order to study medicine. In 1867 he attended lectures at South Carolina Medical college, Charles- ton, and two years later he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical college in Philadelphia. He immediately commenced the practice of medicine in Spartanburg, and was successful therein, but other interests demanded his attention and he retired from practice in 1885. In addition to attending to his large farming interests, he is president of the Tucapau Cotton mills, and a director in the Whitney, the Arkwright, the D. E. Converse company, and the Arcadia Cotton mills, of the First National Bank of Spartanburg, the Fidelity Loan and Trust company, the Limestone Lime company, and the Spartanburg city water works. In January, 1903, he was appointed by Governor M. B. McSweeney, for a term of four years, a commissioner for the Cedar Springs Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind. At the close of this period he was reappointed for another term.
In the spring of 1864, when the state reserves of seventeen- year-old boys were called out, he became a soldier in the Con- federate States army. He served in the "Spartan Rangers," a cavalry force commanded by Captain William Wilkins, until the end of the war. He took part in several engagements on the coast of the state, and when Stoneman's army passed through South Carolina, after General Lee's surrender, he was captured and paroled.
In the choice of a profession he followed his own inclination, though he was doubtless influenced to some extent by the fact that his father was a physician. In estimating the relative strength of various influences which have contributed to his success in life, he places that of home as by far the strongest. He states that his mother and wife "were the best of women, doing everything they could for the moral elevation of all near them." He has read largely on many and widely varying sub- jects, but he has derived the most pleasure, and possibly the greatest improvement, from works of travel and biography.
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In politics Mr. Cleveland has always been a Democrat. His religious affiliation is with the Protestant Episcopal church. He finds his principal pleasure and relaxation in riding in the country, looking after his farming interests, planning improve- ments, building roads, and conversing with his friends. In reply to a request for suggestions which he thinks will help young people to become successful in life, he says: "Honesty is not only the best policy, but it pays the biggest per centum in actual cash of any investment a man can make. This, coupled with industry, perseverance, sobriety, and ordinary intellect, in a healthy body, is bound to bring success."
Doctor Cleveland was married to Miss Caro V. Zimmerman, June 19, 1873. They have had five sons and one daughter, all of whom, with the exception of one son, are now (1908) living.
His postoffice address is Spartanburg, South Carolina.
JOHN GEORGE CLINKSCALES
C LINKSCALES, JOHN GEORGE, professor of mathe- matics in Wofford college, was born in Abbeville county, South Carolina, May 28, 1855. His parents were George B. and Eliza A. (Black) Clinkscales. His father was a planter whose marked characteristics were accuracy and persistency. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a woman of fine qualities of mind and heart, and it was largely owing to her skilful management that her son was able to secure a college education. The earliest ancestor of his father's family in this country was Adam Clinkscales, who came from Scotland in 1744 and settled in Maryland. His son, Francis, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, removed to South Carolina and settled in what is now Anderson county, and accumulated what in those days was considered a fortune. His mother's grand- father, Joseph Black, came from Ireland in the eighteenth century. Though a blacksmith by occupation, he was a great reader. He educated his sons at South Carolina college; he represented Abbeville county as member of the legislature for several terms; and he died while holding the office of treasurer of the state. At the time of his death one of his sons was in congress, one was a representative in the state legislature from Abbeville county, another from York county, one from Richland county, and still another was state senator from Richland.
When the War between the States closed, John George Clinkscales was nine years old. Up to that time his life had been free from care and toil; but conditions now were greatly changed, and he had to perform all the duties that naturally devolve upon a boy who works on a farm. Whenever it was possible he attended the common schools near his home, and later he attended a school in Williamston, South Carolina, at which he was prepared for Wofford college. From the last named institution he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in June, 1876, and in 1893 he received the degree of A. M. A brief post- graduate course was taken at Johns Hopkins university in 1896.
He began the active work of life as a teacher at Cherokee Springs, Spartanburg county, South Carolina. For three years
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he taught in the common schools of Spartanburg county. At the end of this period he became a teacher in the Williamston Female college; but after a year his eyes failed, and he was obliged to give up teaching for several years. In 1884 he was elected school commissioner of Anderson county, and held that office until September, 1887, when he became professor of mathematics in Columbia Female college. This position he held for five years. When Clemson college was organized, Professor Clinkscales was elected to the position of associate professor of mathematics. In this capacity he served for three years, when he was chosen to the full professorship as the successor to Doctor Strode. In 1899 he was called to and accepted the chair of mathematics in Wofford college, his alma mater, which position he still retains. He has preached the gospel of education for more than a quarter of a century, making more addresses in its behalf, perhaps, than any other man in South Carolina. He has made it a point to learn something from every one whom he has attempted to teach, no matter whether the person was ignorant or cultured, black or white-a fact which, in some measure at least, may account for his success as an educator.
In 1878, Professor Clinkscales was made captain of a horse company called (in honor of Congressman John Evins) the "Evins Guards." He is an ardent Democrat, and, while he has never sought official position, he has taken an active part in the politics of his state. In 1876 he threw himself with zeal into the thick of the fight; and during the memorable campaign of that year he rendered yeoman's service to his party. In later years he has made many able political speeches.
He has written "How Zack Came to College" (in 1903), and he has in course of preparation a series of letters to young men which are to be published in book form. While at college he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. His later life has been so full of work that he has not joined fraternities or clubs. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church.
On March 14, 1878, Mr. Clinkscales was married to Miss Sallie C. Hutto. Of their eight children, five are now (1908) living.
His postoffice address is Spartanburg, South Carolina.
CHARLES JONES COLCOCK
C OLCOCK, CHARLES JONES, planter, colonel of cavalry, railroad and bank director, was born near "Boiling Springs," in Barnwell district, South Caro- lina, on April 30, 1820.
The earliest known ancestor of his name in America was Captain John Colcock, from Essex, England, who settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1730. A line of distinguished ancestors of other surnames had come from England. Doctor Henry Woodward, the first English settler in South Carolina, was a member of the Sanford expedition to Port Royal in 1666, and remained with the Indians, holding the country for the English crown; Colonel John Godfrey accompanied the first settlers of Charlestown in 1670, and was a member of the colonial council and commander of the colonial troops; Honorable John Colcock was a member of the colonial congress in 1775, and secretary of the privy council of South Carolina; William Smith, who came from Buckinghamshire, was judge of the supreme court, and one of the founders of Kings (now Columbia) and of Princeton college.
His father, Thomas Hutson Colcock, who was a planter, had studied law, and when the Nullification convention of 1832 to 1833 was called he became a member of that body. His mother (who was Eliza Mary Hay before her marriage) died when he was still a boy, and from an early age he lived with his grand- parents.
A boy with strong physique, with no marked difficulties to overcome in acquiring an education, his early life was passed partly in the country and partly in the city of Charleston. After a preliminary academic education at "Boiling Springs," Barnwell district, and at the grammar school of Charleston college, he determined upon a practical business education, which he acquired in the counting-house of one of the firms of cotton factors at Charleston.
Active work on his own responsibility he began as a rice planter. Afterward he became the partner in the firm of Feckler & Colcock; and still later he entered as a partner into the cotton
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factorage house of "Colcock, McCauley & Molloy," in Charleston, South Carolina. Still later he became a planter of sea island cotton, at the mouth of Colleton river, Beaufort district, South Carolina.
As director of the "Bank of the State"; as originator of the Charleston and Savannah railroad; as director of the Memphis, Chattanooga and Charleston railroad, he performed services of lasting importance for the public welfare.
He was colonel of the Third South Carolina cavalry through- out the War between the States, from 1861 to 1865, having for his territory part of the coast of South Carolina; and during the last two years of the war he was commander of the third military district.
"A charming host, a fascinating and interesting conversa- tionalist, and possessed of strong, magnetic personality," says a biographer, "he wielded a large influence in social, commercial and political circles"-an influence often exerted in most kindly ways for his friends, as well as in the promotion of public enterprises.
He died at Elmwood, South Carolina, October 22, 1891, and was buried at Stoney Creek cemetery, near McPhersonville. In his honor a memorial tablet, with the simple inscription, "Hero of Honey Hill," has been placed on a wall of the Hampton county court-house by the survivors of the Third South Carolina regiment.
Vol. III .- S. C .- 6.
BENJAMIN GRIER COLLINS
C OLLINS, BENJAMIN GRIER, merchant, banker, was born on a farm near Yauhanna Ferry on the Big Pee Dee river, Georgetown county, South Carolina, on Octo- ber 6, 1845, son of Robert Hearn Collins and Mary Jane (Grier) Collins. His father was a well-to-do farmer, of a decidedly religious nature, firm convictions and great determination, and at one time served as captain of a company of state militia. He was of Holland-Dutch extraction, and his grandfather, who was the founder of the family in this country, was born in Holland. His grandmother on the paternal side was of Irish descent, though a native of Georgetown county, South Carolina.
The childhood and early youth of Mr. Collins were passed in the country, where, on his father's farm, he formed habits of industry, performed his share of the farm work, and secured the educational advantages usually accorded farmers' sons in those days. His ambition was to take up some form of merchandising, but before he was able to carry into effect his desires in this direction the War between the States came on, and at sixteen years of age he entered the Confederate army. He remained in the Confederate service until he was twenty, having taken part in the campaigns of Virginia and the Carolinas under Gary and Haskell. He was in the battles in and around Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, and was mustered out at the fall of Rich- mond in April, 1865.
The fortunes of war left him penniless and he was compelled by necessity to engage in whatever promised a livelihood. After two years spent on the farm he turned to lumbering. In the year 1869 he engaged in merchandising at Conway, South Carolina, in a small way, and, through persistent effort, square dealing and good management, his business rapidly increased. In 1895 it was incorporated under the name of the Burroughs & Collins company, with about half a million dollars assets. The firm does a wholesale and retail business, and has six branch stores in the county. Mr. Collins was instrumental in the organization of the Waccamaw Line steamers in 1890, and is now president of the company.
Men of Mark Publishing Co Washington, D C
yours Very Predy By Collins
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BENJAMIN GRIER COLLINS
In 1884 Mr. Collins was elected county commissioner for Horry county, South Carolina, and was returned to this office in the years 1886-1887. He has been president of the Bank of Conway from its organization in 1893. He has always exhibited an intelligent interest in the development of the community. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a member of the Masonic order, and is a Republican in politics. Until the year 1890 he was a supporter of the Democratic party, but when the Tillman issue of that year was made the paramount plank of the party, he supported the Republican candidates.
Mr. Collins is a firm believer in the true dignity of labor, and a strong advocate of the useful training of the muscles as well as the brain and heart. Industry, he conceives, lies at the root of all success, and should receive unstinted encouragement at the same time that noble principles and right motives are instilled into the mind. He is a good example of his own theories and has earned the right to be placed among the substantial, high-minded, progressive citizens of the state.
On September 4, 1870, he married Laura J. Cooper, daugh- ter of Timothy and Harriett Cooper, of Horry county. Of their eleven children, ten are now (1907) living.
The address of Mr. Collins is Conway, Horry county, South Carolina.
HARVEY TOLIVER COOK
C OOK, HARVEY TOLIVER, A. M., Litt. D., of Furman university, Greenville, South Carolina, was born in Abbeville county, South Carolina, April 23, 1848. His father, Frederick Cook, was a farmer, whose earliest known American ancestor, Henry Cook, came from Germany and settled in South Carolina, at Hard Labor Creek, Abbeville county, shortly before the Revolutionary war. Professor Cook feels that his father's family is noteworthy chiefly for industrious and successful toil, and for the honesty and sound principles incul- cated through their Calvinistic training and philosophy of life.
In his boyhood daily tasks were assigned him, in summer and in winter. He knew how to "care for and feed with corn the large lots of swine which annually filled the smokehouse." As a boy he was charged with the duty of "watching over a drove of cows which roamed through a circuit of five miles, and of getting them home by milking time." He writes: "It is no mean fortune to be born in an humble station where one deals early in life with the primal relations of things. This knowledge of animals on the farm, in connection with farming and with good school instruction, I have always considered to be a broad, responsive foundation for whatever higher education I may have gained. It gives to the country-bred boy an advantage over the city-bred boy, when competition is fierce, in the fact that his wants are few; and the lesson of 'doing without,' well learned in his boyhood, comes naturally into play in the later tests of life."
From September, 1864, until April, 1865, he served in the South Carolina militia, beginning as private and finishing service as orderly sergeant of his company. He did not begin the serious work of acquiring an education until he was nineteen, and then paid his own expenses by his own labor for two or three years. He studied at several private schools; and, later, at Furman university, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1873. In 1885 the university conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He began to teach in December, 1870, in Captain J. B. Patrick's high school, at Greenville, South
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Carolina. His own personal preference led to his choice of teaching as a profession. He feels the wisdom of learning from criticism of one's self; and he writes: "My non-admirers have had much to do with such success as I have won in life." He was an assistant teacher in Patrick's high school from 1871 to 1881.
In 1881 he was appointed professor of ancient languages, and, later, professor of the Greek language and literature, in Furman university. While Professor Cook has devoted himself primarily to the work of instruction in the university, he has been actively identified with the life and the interests of the Baptist church, of which he is a member and of which he writes: "A church here in Greenville satisfies all my longings for contact with my fellows in organizations outside of my family." He is not identified with any fraternities or clubs. But the fact of his interest in the social life and the public affairs of his community is witnessed by the positions he has filled. He was a trustee of the Greenville graded schools from 1888 to 1893. He was an alderman of Greenville from 1891 to 1893. He was a member of the state board of education from 1893 to 1902. And he acted as auditor of the Baptist state convention from 1889 to 1903. He is now engaged in writing a "History of Baptist Education in South Carolina."
His exercise "takes a useful turn"; and his relaxation he finds in reading inspiring books and by "change of work and interchange of jokes." He believes that college athletics receive altogether too much attention. He writes: "The intercollegiate games would not be tolerated were the public sentiment healthy; they are a sort of Cretan bull, to which must be sacrificed yearly twice seven of our Athenian youth."
More than thirty years spent as a member of the faculty of a college give Professor Cook the right to speak with a degree of authority upon the need of improvement in the ideals of our American life, and he writes: "Sound ideals in our American life will be best nurtured by an acquaintance with the Bible. Apart from all religious considerations, it furnishes the soundest principles and encourages the formation of the best habits. We need not a reformatory for bad boys so much as a reform of the parents,-in the ideals and practice of the parents of well-
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to-do families. The republic is receiving detriment whenever the family standard relaxes."
For the young people of South Carolina he writes: "Never do when in a crowd what you would not do if you were alone and after sober thought, and never lose for a moment your sense of personal accountability to God."
On January 25, 1875, Professor Cook married Miss Carrie Carpenter. They have had eight children, all of whom are now (1908) living.
The prolonged and efficient work of Professor Cook for the higher education of South Carolina was publicly recognized in 1903, when Furman university conferred upon him the honorary degree of Litt. D.
His address is Furman university, Greenville, South Carolina.
ARTHUR BLEDSOE COOKE
C OOKE, ARTHUR BLEDSOE, Ph. D., professor of German and French at Wofford college, was born at Meltons, Louisa county, Virginia, June 15, 1869. His parents were George W. and Sallie F. A. Cooke. His father was a merchant,-a man of sober judgment and excellent character.
Habits of industry were formed in his early youth. When not in school he performed the various duties required of a boy on a farm. This service developed and strengthened his physical powers and gave him a respect for all honest work. He attended the "old field" school in his neighborhood, a graded school in Gordonsville, and at the Virginia Midland academy, and later the University of Virginia, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1895. Post-graduate courses in belles lettres were taken in the universities of Göttingen and Berlin (1899-1900). In 1901 the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him by the University of Virginia.
In 1887 he became assistant teacher in the graded school at Gordonsville, Virginia. With the exception of time passed in study at the institutions above named, he has continued teaching. In 1895, immediately upon graduation from the University of Virginia, he became professor of German and French at Wofford college, which position he still retains.
He is the author of "Essays on Work and Life" (1904). In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
On September 26, 1899, Professor Cooke was married to Miss Stella V. Crider. Of their four children, two are now living.
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