USA > South Carolina > Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state, Volume IV > Part 11
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William Adger Law passed his early life mostly in Charles- ton and Spartanburg. As a boy he was slender and below the average in strength, and fonder of reading and study than of play. He received his primary education at home and in private schools, and was prepared for college at Professor R. O. Sams' school, Spartanburg, under him and J. H. Kirkland, now chan- cellor of Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tennessee. It was at this school that he received his first strong impulse to strive for the prizes of life. In 1880 he entered Wofford college, Spartan- burg, where he was graduated A. B. in 1883. While in college he taught himself shorthand which, after a session spent in teaching, 1883-1884, at the Cape Fear academy, Wilmington, North Caro- lina, enabled him to win his appointment as the first official
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stenographer of the seventh South Carolina circuit, a position he held for seven years, 1884-1891.
While official stenographer of the seventh circuit his close association with Judge Wallace and Judge Kershaw of the circuit bench was most valuable. He received business offers in other lines, but his personal preference led him into banking. This preference proved to be right, for it is as a financier that he has made his career a striking success. His entry into the financial world was made as president of the Spartanburg Savings bank, where his ability as a financier was so markedly displayed that, in 1895, he was elected president of the Central National bank, Spartanburg. While holding that position he organized and was the first president of the South Carolina Bankers association, 1901. In 1903, he accepted an offer to remove to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and take the position of assistant cashier of the Merchants National bank, one of the large banking institutions of that city. In 1905 he was appointed cashier, and in January, 1907, he was elected vice-president. Though he has been in Philadelphia but a few years he has earned and has been accorded an enviable standing among the bank officials of that city, and is regarded in financial circles as a man who will go higher.
He gives home influence and private study most of the credit for his success in life. His advice to young men about to choose a vocation is: "Specialize, select your field early in life and con- centrate all efforts there; men who are masters in any line are in great and increasing demand; devoted attention will win success in any profession or occupation if all other things are subor- dinated to the one object sought for."
He is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Presby- terian church; a member and governor of the Southern club of Philadelphia, member of the Germantown Cricket and Hunt- ingdon Valley Country clubs, the Saint Andrews society and the Historical society of Pennsylvania. He is fond of outdoor sports, finding enjoyable recreation as well as needed relaxation in tennis, golf, shooting, riding and swimming.
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On December 4, 1889, he was married, in Savannah, Georgia, to Lucy Lathrop Goode, daughter of Colonel Charles T. Goode. Three children have been born to them, one son and two daughters, two of whom, the daughters, are (1909) living.
His address is 308 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania.
ROBERT LIDE
L IDE, ROBERT, Esq., attorney at law, from 1900 to 1904 the representative of Orangeburg county in the South Carolina legislature, and in 1908 prominently named for election to the state senate from Orangeburg county, was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on the 25th of November, 1871. His father, the Rev. Thomas Parks Lide, was a Baptist minister who died on the 2nd of August, 1906, having passed his entire life in South Carolina and leaving a reputation for modest faithfulness and intellectual and moral integrity, with great charity and generosity, which will long be remembered in Marion county and throughout the Pee Dee association of churches as well as by many others in all parts of the state. He had served as school commissioner of Marion county for several years. His wife was Miss Martha Caroline Hawkins, whose character had a strong influence upon all her children.
Three brothers, John, Thomas and Robert, of Welsh origin, were in this country early in the seventeenth century. The name had been spelled Llhuyd in Wales, and later was modified to Loyd; but after settlement in Virginia and South Carolina soon assumed its present spelling, Lide. Robert, the youngest of the three brothers, was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1734. His maternal uncle, a Mr. Crawford, brought him to Pee Dee, settling near Cashway Ferry, in what is now the Darlington district; Robert Lide became prominent in the subsequent history of the region, and taking an influential part among the Whigs of Pee Dee in the Revolution, was a major under Marion, and became the head of an extensive family connection. Three times married, by his second wife, Sarah Kolb, the aunt of Colonel Abel Kolb, he had five sons, John, Robert, James, Hugh and Peter. "Hugh Lide, of Darlington, the second son, was remarkable for strength of character and solidity of understanding," says Gregg's "His- tory of Old Cheraws." Evan James Lide was the son of Hugh, and the father of Rev. Thomas Parks Lide, whose son, Robert, is the subject of this sketch.
In his boyhood, he knew the privations which were incident to the frequent change of home of a Baptist minister in South
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Carolina at that time. He early learned to make himself useful in the home circle and to practice a wise economy. His father was able to send him to college; and he was graduated from Wake Forest college, North Carolina, on the 9th of June, 1892, with the degree of A. B. He at once began to support himself, by work in a lawyer's office and by agency work for an insurance company, until he could establish himself in his chosen profession.
Soon after graduation he began the study of law in the office of B. H. Moss, at Orangeburg, South Carolina. In 1895 he was appointed United States commissioner; and he still holds that position. From 1900 to 1904 he represented his county in the legislature, voluntarily withdrawing after four years of service. During the time he was in the legislature he was a member of the judiciary committee, and was an active worker and influential member. For several years he was a member of the Orangeburg county board of education. In 1904 he was elected county chair- man of the Democratic organization of Orangeburg county, and he was also chosen the member for Orangeburg county of the state Democratic executive committee. To both these positions he was reelected in 1906, and he still holds them. For about twelve years he was correspondent at Orangeburg of "The News and Courier" of Charleston, when he was compelled a year or two ago to resign on account of press of other duties. He did good work in this position and wrote well for publication; and was highly esteemed by those in the Charleston office. The experience proved a valuable training from an educational stand- point, as well as contact with people and current affairs.
Mr. Lide helped to organize the Bank of Elloree, of Orange- burg county, in 1904. He was at once elected president-an office which he still holds. His father had been pastor of the Baptist church at Elloree for several years; and these years of Mr. Robert Lide's boyhood had been passed in Elloree. He is also president of the Bank of Fort Motte, South Carolina. He is a director of the Bank of Holly Hill, at Holly Hill, South Carolina. He helped to organize both these banks. The firm of Moss and Lide, attorneys, represent these and several other banks in their practice.
On the 2nd of June, 1897, Mr. Lide married Miss Ethel Mil- dred Lowman, daughter of the late Dr. J. W. Lowman, who was
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a prominent physician of Orangeburg. They have had three daughters, all of whom are living in 1908.
By religious conviction, Mr. Lide is identified with the Baptist denomination. He is a prominent member of the Wood- men of the World ;- past consul commander of the local camp; and he has filled various offices in the head camp of Woodmen of the World; and at the last meeting was elected head adviser, which is the second office of the order in South Carolina. He is also an active member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and has represented the local lodge at the grand lodge; he is a member of a grand lodge committee. He is also member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Lide finds relaxation from the cares of his profession and of the banking business, by managing a little farm, which he owns near Orangeburg.
To the young men of his state who wish for success in life, he offers these encouraging words: "Any young man of average ability who will attend closely to business, be economical, and correct in his habits, without dissipation, can succeed in life."
Mr. Lide's address is 168 South Broughton street, Orange- burg, South Carolina.
JACOB WALTER LOWMAN
L OWMAN, JACOB WALTER, M. D., the first Democratic member of the state legislature after reconstruction days, was born March 11, 1837, at Dutch Fork, Lexington county, South Carolina. He was of German descent through the stalwart stock of Americans in Virginia and the Carolinas who trace their family line to David Lohman, an emigrant from Germany who settled in Virginia in 1770. His son, Malachi Lohman, came to South Carolina and settled at Dutch Fork in 1814.
Daniel Lowman, father of Dr. J. W. Lowman, married Nancy Hiller; and their son, a boy of slender frame and delicate health, grew up in their country home under the care of deeply devoted and truly pious Lutheran parents. His poor health in boyhood kept him from vigorous out-of-door sports, and prevented his taking an active part in the work of his father's farm; and early showing an inclination to books and to private study, he was allowed and encouraged to prepare himself for professional life. In his plans for study he was greatly assisted by the sympathetic spirit and the advice of his brother-in-law, John K. Kneece, M. D., to whose eager, altruistic purpose to devote his life to lessening the sufferings of others, Dr. Lowman owed his own determination to study medicine, and his life-long purpose to lessen the sum of human sickness and pain.
He fitted himself for a course in medicine by private study, with advice and occasional assistance from Dr. Kneece. In 1858 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Georgia, having taught school between the terms of study, to defray his expenses.
After graduation, he taught near Batesburg, South Carolina, at the same time beginning the practice of his profession. Pro- hibited by illness from volunteering at the outbreak of the War between the States, he served from 1863 to 1865 as a lieutenant of the supporting force, Confederate States army, under Major H. A. Meetze. At the close of the war he returned to Lexington county and resumed the practice of medicine.
In 1872 he was elected a member of the state legislature from Lexington county. His friend and army comrade, Major Meetze,
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was elected at the same time from the same county; and these two had the distinction of being the first two Democratic members of that body after reconstruction days, serving together until 1874.
Dr. Lowman then decided to remove to Orangeburg, where for thirty years he was closely and prominently connected with the best interests of that rapidly growing town. As a skilful and careful physician he became well known throughout the county and the state. While he was always especially attentive to the needs of the poor, and generous in his professional ministrations to the needy, his growing practice made him prominent in the business interests of the city. He was vice-president of the Edisto Savings bank, a director of the Orangeburg Manufac- turing company, surgeon to the C. N. I. A. and M. college of South Carolina, and to the Atlantic Coast Line railway; and he was a member (and medical examiner) of the Knights of Honor, as well as a past master Mason.
In 1879 Dr. Lowman published a book in the interest of sound hygiene and practice, entitled : "Miasma a Myth."
Connected with the Baptist church of Orangeburg, he was its senior deacon, and chairman of its finance committee.
Dr. Lowman married Lodusky Rish (Reishe), daughter of Levi and Mary Rish, on September 15, 1858. They had six children, five of whom, with their mother, are living in 1909.
Dr. Lowman died January 14, 1905. His disinterested kindness of heart and his skilful and comforting ministrations in many sick chambers make his memory dear to multitudes to whom he brought help and relief in sickness and sorrow.
WILLIAM BARR LOWRANCE
L I OWRANCE, WILLIAM BARR, merchant, was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, on November 4, 1841. His father's name was John M. Lowrance, his mother's name Elizabeth Lowrance. His father was a farmer by occupation, a man of striking firmness and integrity, and a devoted Christian. Mr. Lowrance's earliest known ancestor in America was John Lowrance, born in East New Jersey, February 16, 1716. He was twice married and had nine children by his first wife, from one of whom his father descended; and eight by his second wife, from one of whom his mother descended. None of Mr. Lowrance's ancestors attained public distinction, but they have always been distinguished for their high Christian character and devotion to the Presbyterian faith.
As a child the subject of this sketch enjoyed good health and was considered something of an athlete though small of stature. At an early age he was ambitious of becoming a lawyer. He was fond of music, and the study of biography, but circumstances made it necessary to look after the stock of his father's farm and to assist in the farm work and this developed a fondness for stock raising and for farming. Besides this he had special difficulties to overcome in acquiring an education. Four years of his life were spent in the War between the States, aad after the war it was necessary for him to go to work immediately to repair the broken fortunes of the family. He still, however, kept up his reading and he has always felt that Abbott's life of Napoleon had more influence over him than any other book that he read though his course in life was to be along lines far removed from the suggestions of that book. As a boy he attended McAnty's military school at Morganton, North Carolina, and was fitted for the junior class in college when the war broke out and his books were thrown aside for military service. When the war ended Mr. Lowrance became a clerk for his brother in Columbia, South Carolina, and never had an opportunity to resume his studies. Necessity drove him into mercantile business, his preference being for the law, but having once chosen his path in life he pursued
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it with all the energy of his nature. The influence of his home and especially of his mother was the strongest impulse of his life.
Mr. Lowrance has filled many public places of importance. He was a member of the city council of Columbia, South Carolina, for eighteen successive years; a member of the South Carolina legislature from Richland county from 1890 to 1892, and chair- man of the bond committee which funded the city of Columbia debt of over a million dollars. He is the only surviving member of the board of trustees which built the Columbia canal. He was captain of the Columbia artillery in 1876 and 1878, carrying the guns in numerous campaigns to different points in the state. He also has been a member of the board of directors of the College for Women, at Columbia, from its foundation to the present time; director in the Richland, Granby and Olympia cotton mills which did so much to build up the city of Columbia ; and member of the board of directors of the Carolina National bank for twenty years.
When the War between the States broke out, Mr. Lowrance volunteered in the First North Carolina "Bethel regiment," being at the time a school boy away from home and friends, residing with strangers. He was afterwards advanced to the Forty-sixth North Carolina regiment and from second lieutenant was appointed adjutant of the Thirty-fourth North Carolina regi- ment. He was subsequently elected captain of Company K of this regiment and was acting adjutant and captain up to the time of the surrender. In politics he has always been a Democrat. In religion he has been affiliated with the First Presbyterian church in Columbia. He has given considerable attention to physical culture, his favorite mode of relaxation being mountain trips in the summer and fishing with hook and line.
Mr. Lowrance believes that success in life may be best achieved by careful mental training in the reading of good books, especially biographical and historical; by letting intoxicants and tobacco in all its forms severely alone, and by performing faith- fully whatever duties, public or domestic, may fall to one's lot. References to Mr. Lowrance's military career may be found in the histories of his North Carolina regiment and in "Confederate Military History," Vol. V.
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Mr. Lowrance has been twice married: First, to Miss Mamie Cochran of Cokesbury, South Carolina, in 1871; and second, to Miss Elizabeth B. Green, in January, 1898. He has one child now living.
His address is 1607 Plain street, Columbia, South Carolina.
CHARLES SPENCER McCALL
M cCALL, CHARLES SPENCER, was born at Clio, Marlboro county, South Carolina, September 8, 1843. His parents were John L. McCall and Nancy (Sin- clair) McCall. He was of a family of five sons and five daughters; of the latter, one died in infancy, while six of the brothers and sisters survive him. His father was a farmer and merchant, who served Marlboro county for two terms as tax collector. The elder McCall was a man of probity, prudence and frugality, noted for sterling integrity and refinement. The mother of Charles S. McCall was a woman of large endowments, and characterized by all the high qualities of head and heart that mark her people, the Scotch. Naturally, she exerted a deep influence upon the moral life and character of her son. His first known ancestor in America, John McCall, was born, 1772, in Appin, Scotland, and came to Marion county, South Carolina, in 1790.
As a boy, Charles McCall enjoyed sound physical health. He early developed a fondness for hunting and continued, through life, to pursue this sport with zest. His youth was passed in the village of Clio and on the small farm of his father, adjacent. Farm work and the pastimes incident to country life chiefly occupied his early years.
Of schooling, he received little, his education having been obtained principally at the Clio academy and the neighboring country school.
The War between the States found Charles McCall a youth of eighteen. In 1862 he enlisted in Captain Peterkin's company in the Twentieth South Carolina volunteers; and in 1864 was transferred to the Hampton legion, with which he remained till the surrender at Appomattox court-house. He was captured by the Federal troops a few days before the surrender, but succeeded in making his escape and in getting back to his command before it surrendered. His courage was tested on many a hard fought battle field, and he was always found in the thickest of the fight and among the foremost on duty. Though small of stature he had a strong frame and a will and self-reliance that would have done credit to Napoleon. As a soldier he enjoyed the respect and
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esteem of his comrades in arms and of the officers under whom he served.
The war ended, Charles McCall returned to Bennettsville where, in January, 1866, as a clerk in the store of William Mur- chison, he began his notable business career. He was a born business genius. From his scanty wage he saved, in about three years, enough to enable him to begin business on his own account. He bought a little vacant lot-the site of his future large busi- ness-and here, in 1869, began merchandising. He brought with him the good will and admiration of his late employer, the two men continuing permanently fast friends. A visible token of Mr. Murchison's esteem was a written recommendation which Mr. McCall framed and displayed in his office until his death. Mr. Murchison also invited his recent clerk to call upon him at any time for aid; and he seemed to feel half offended because his invitation was never accepted.
Mr. McCall was a hard working, painstaking business man, toiling day and night at his books, and giving to every detail of his affairs the closest personal attention. He adopted the motto of his father, "Pay as you go or don't go at all," and acted upon it through life; being scrupulously exact in all his dealings and paying cash for everything he bought. He toned up his business, always running it upon the best principles, regardless of compe- tition. His labor was rewarded. He gained the confidence of the people, and his business grew. In three or four years the public was astonished to learn that the little merchant had bought the fine Mowry plantation. On this he placed his brother Dick, and made it one of the finest places in the county. From time to time he added to his properties until, by the close of his life, he owned about a half dozen fine plantations and one-half the business of Bennettsville.
While merchandising was the theater of his best efforts, Mr. McCall's attention was not confined to this field. He was in the forefront in all lines of endeavor. With the Breedens he intro- duced the intensive system of farming which has made his county so productive. His information upon agriculture was extensive and exact. He understood the elements of the soil, drainage and fertilizing, and the best methods of cultivation. Further, he was able to apply his knowledge and transmute it into practical results. The value of lands soon doubled under his treatment.
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The last act of his life was to attend a boll weevil convention at Shreveport, Louisiana. He was vice-president of the Bank of Marlboro at Bennettsville from its organization to the day of his death ; he was also president of the Marlboro Cotton Oil company of the same place for several years, and under his management the latter company paid thirty-eight per cent dividend annually.
Mr. McCall was a lifelong and consistent Democrat. In politics, he achieved success hardly second to that attained by him in business. When, in 1876, his state resolved to throw off the odious rule of the carpetbagger it chose the gallant soldier, General Wade Hampton, as its candidate for governor. Marl- boro county, after carefully studying the situation, selected as its political leader-the county chairman of the Democratic party- the man who had so distinguished himself in business, Charles S. McCall. The same skill, industry and organizing capacity which he had put into his business he now put into the political cam- paign. His county was, ordinarily, strongly Republican, and General Hampton had abandoned it as lost; but he reckoned without his lieutenant; when the votes were counted Marlboro was found to have gone Democratic by four hundred.
The following year, 1877, Mr. McCall was elected to the state senate to fill an unexpired term; and, for four successive terms, upon the expiration of which he declined further service, he was chosen to this important office. In 1902, after a voluntary retire- ment of twelve years, he was again elected by a large majority to the state senate.
As a senator, Mr. McCall was a worker, not a talker. His public services were most faithfully rendered. During the whole period of his senatorial life he never missed a roll call unless engaged in committee work. The senate journals show that his every vote was in the best interest of the public. His information was wide, his judgment excellent, and his sympathies, with the well being of the people.
From 1880 to 1888 Mr. McCall was a member of the Demo- cratic state executive committee, and in 1880 he was a delegate to the National convention of his party. He was made mayor of the town of Bennettsville in 1889, and held that office by successive elections for a period of twelve years.
Mr. McCall was not a church member. His leanings, how- ever, were toward the Presbyterian faith. He was a bountiful
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giver to churches, distributing his bounty impartially among all, white and black, in his county. Clergymen freely and frequently advised with him. He was a long time member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Royal Arch Masons. In these orders he held the highest offices, being past master of Masons and grand high priest of the Royal Arch Masons.
Mr. McCall died December 31, 1904, of grippe. His funeral was the largest and most imposing ever held in his section, the attendance numbering thousands. The lieutenant-governor appointed five senators to attend the funeral. The services were conducted by the clergy and the Masonic order. Mr. McCall left property valued at $600,000.
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