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 12
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He was, in business, a fair and honorable competitor; he was a loyal friend, and a man of large charities. He left $5,000 to the Thornwell orphanage, and other sums to other worthy causes. He never married; but he was devoted to his parents, brothers, and sisters, spending his Sundays with the former and educating the latter and their children.
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ELLIOTT CRAYTON McCANTS
M cCANTS, E. CRAYTON, teacher and writer, was born near Ninety-Six, Abbeville county (now Greenwood), South Carolina, September 2, 1865. His parents were Nathaniel S. and Ettie E. Poole McCants. His father was a physician, and a surgeon in the Confederate States army. He was a very indulgent father ; a big, bluff, red-haired man who had lost an eye. He died at the age of forty, when his son Elliott was but eight years old.
The family immigrated originally from Scotland to the north of Ireland, where some of them are still people of conse- quence; thence, some seemed to have gone to Virginia and, from there, to South Carolina, near Charleston. The grandfather of Elliott McCants came to Abbeville district with his step-father, Peter Marion. The settlement near Charleston was made prior to the Revolution. A Revolutionary cavalry skirmish was called by General Francis Marion the battle of McCants's avenue.
As a boy, Elliott McCants was small for his age, but hardy. There was in his father's house a large assortment of old, "before- the-war" books, and from these the boy read a great deal. He liked to ride, fish and shoot. His early life was passed on the farm, about a mile from the village of Ninety-Six. Here he did the ordinary farm work of a middle-class boy. Some of this work was hard and hot, but he is honestly sorry for the lad who misses the opportunity to go to mill, drive up the cows, and "break" the colts.
The influence of his mother was particularly strong on both his moral and spiritual life. She was an educated woman, and gave to her son a decided impetus toward intellectual acquire- ments. When other means failed, she resorted with effect to a peach-tree switch. His grandmother was also an influential member of the family. She required the boy to read a chapter in the Bible each day; and, although this exercise was distasteful to him then, it has proved invaluable to him since.
Education came to Elliott McCants only with difficulty. His mother was a widow and was unable to pay the expenses of a col-
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legiate education for her son. By a competitive examination, however, he won a Citadel scholarship.
He attended the Ninety-Six high school and, afterwards, the South Carolina Military academy. From this institution he was graduated in 1886, with the degree of B. S. This work he has supplemented with studies pursued from time to time in various summer schools, but has taken no higher degree.
Mr. McCants, in the fall of 1886, began to teach in Abbeville, South Carolina. From 1887 to 1888 he was instructor in military tactics in the Greenwood, South Carolina, Male high school. During 1888 and 1889 he engaged in farming near Ninety-Six. In 1889-1890 he was instructor in the Panola high school of Sardis, Mississippi. During 1890-1891 he was principal of the Female seminary in Arcadia, Louisiana. From 1891 to 1893 he was principal of the normal school at Stuart, Virginia. From 1893 to 1895 he was professor of pure mathematics in Danville college for young ladies, at Danville, Virginia. During 1895- 1896 he was principal of the seminary school at McEwen, Ten- nessee. From 1896 to 1898 he was principal of the graded schools in Augusta, Arkansas. From 1898 to 1900 he was principal of the graded schools in Blackville, South Carolina; from 1900 to 1905, instructor in mathematics in the city high schools of Anderson, South Carolina; and since June, 1907, he has been superintendent of the Anderson city schools. He is now record- ing secretary of the South Carolina State Teachers' association. He has participated in summer school work as follows: Summer, 1899, instructor in mathematics in county summer schools of Greenwood and Saluda; summer of 1900, principal county sum- mer schools, Newberry and Saluda; summers, 1901-1902 and 1904, principal county summer school, Saluda.
In the Spanish-American war Professor McCants offered his services to Governor Ellerbe. Nothing, however, came of this. Being at that time a resident of Arkansas, he next, by order of Governor Jones, began raising Company A of the Third Arkansas infantry; the war, however, closed and the regiment was not mustered in.
Professor McCants is the author of a considerable number of short stories which, in the last half dozen years, have appeared in the New York "Independent," New York "Evening Post,"
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"McClure's Magazine," the "National Magazine," "Everybody's Magazine" and other standard periodicals. He is author of "In the Red Hills," a novel dealing with Southern life and the economic and social conditions following the war and the accom- panying gradual reorganization of society; and of "One of the Grayjackets," published in 1909.
Professor McCants is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, and he is a Mason. In politics he is a Democrat. In religion, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For amusement and recreation, he played baseball and hunted, when a boy ; now he goes fishing.
As to successes and failures he says modestly : "I have failed in many things-indeed, I do not claim to be, in any sense, a 'successful' man. The courage to keep trying, a toughness of mental fiber that forbids sulking under defeat, are, I think, the principal things that have kept me going."
On September 19, 1889, Professor McCants married Miss Tressa Lipscomb. They have had six children, all of whom are now (1909) living.
His address is Anderson, South Carolina.
HENRY E. McCONNELL
M cCONNELL, HENRY E., M. D., a practicing physician of prominence in Chester, South Carolina, was born September 10, 1866, at McConnellsville, York county, South Carolina. The name of his birthplace commemorates the residence of his family, and the influence of his father and his kinspeople in that part of the state. He attended the common school of his native town, and later, completed the course at the high school of McConnellsville.
In 1888, having decided to fit himself for the practice of medicine, he became a student at the South Carolina Medical college. For the next two years he studied medicine at the med- ical school of the University of Maryland, at Baltimore; and he was graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1890.
Before this, he had spent four years in business life in a general mercantile store; and the experience which he there acquired has been of value to him in his intercourse with men and in the formation of those business habits which are of value to the professional man, whatever line of life he pursues.
In 1890, he began the practice of his profession at King's Mountain, North Carolina. After a short residence there he returned to McConnellsville, remaining there for four years. He then established himself in the practice of his profession at Chester, South Carolina.
On December 20, 1898, Dr. McConnell married Miss Mamie Russell Bailey.
For several years, Dr. McConnell has been county physician for York county. He is a member of the board of health of Chester; and not only in the matters of hygiene and health regu- lations, but in all affairs which concern the public welfare of his fellow townsmen, Dr. McConnell has shown himself to be a public spirited citizen as well as a successful physician.
THOMAS MAXWELL McCONNELL
M cCONNELL, REV. THOMAS MAXWELL, D. D., since 1907 pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Morristown, Tennessee, author of several books and tracts, and of numerous articles published in magazines and religious papers, is a Virginian by birth, although for many years he was identified with South Carolina. He was born in Wash- ington county, Virginia, July 13, 1851.
His father, William King McConnell, was a farmer whose ancestors came from the North of Ireland and settled first in Pennsylvania and afterwards in Virginia. His mother, Mrs. Esther (Maxwell) McConnell, was charged with his bringing up and the guidance of his education, his father having died when he was but an infant. To the influence of his mother on his intellectual, moral, and spiritual life, Dr. McConnell feels himself most deeply indebted.
He was not strong in his boyhood, but he did some work on the farm. Making the best of his opportunities at the country school near his home, he prepared himself for admission to King college at Bristol, Virginia, from which institution he received the degree of A. B. in 1871. From 1872 to 1875 he studied in the Theological seminaries at Columbia, South Carolina, and at Hampden-Sidney, Virginia, and he was graduated from the last named institution April 14, 1875.
The active work of the pastorate began for him with his appointment as minister of the Presbyterian church in McMinn- ville, Tennessee. He had been licensed to preach by the Abingdon presbytery, April 21, 1875; and he was ordained by the Nashville presbytery, June 29, 1875. He served as pastor at McMinnville and Nashville, Tennessee, and Wytheville, Virginia ; and for ten years he was pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Greenville, South Carolina. He then passed something over two years in Gainesville, Florida. Returning to South Carolina, in January, 1905, he became pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Cam- den where he remained until October, 1907, when he became pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Morristown, Tennessee, with which church he still (1909) remains.
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He married Annie Wallace, second daughter of Judge J. G. Wallace, of Franklin, Tennessee, on October 1, 1879. Their only child was not spared to them for many years.
While he has been busily engaged since his ordination with the regular duties of a pastorate, Dr. McConnell has found time to write and publish several books: "A Week with Jesus," and "Day Dawn of Christianity," both published by the Methodist Publishing house of Nashville, Tennessee, the first in 1886, the second in 1888; "Eve and Her Daughters," by the Presbyterian Board of Publication of Philadelphia (1900) ; and a number of tracts, with many articles in magazines and religious periodicals.
In 1891, in recognition of his efficient work as preacher, pastor and writer, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Presbyterian college of South Carolina.
THOMAS JEFFERSON MCCRARY
M cCRARY, THOMAS JEFFERSON, manufacturer and banker, was born in Laurens county, South Carolina, February 26, 1852, the son of Edwin and Maria Anderson (Blakely) Mccrary. He died at Newberry, South Carolina, August 30, 1905.
His father was a farmer of moderate means; and in a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, Thomas Jefferson was the sixth child. The ravages of the War between the States made it impossible for his father to give to him greater advantages than those afforded by the country schools of the neighborhood; but of them the boy made good use. When but thirteen he entered the store of S. J. Craig, at Clinton, South Carolina, as a clerk; and early in his career he exhibited in all he undertook that earnestness of purpose and energy in execution which characterized his work in later years.
In 1871, he removed to Newberry and obtained a position with William T. Tarrant, with whom he remained for several years. From that position he was promoted, in 1880, to be book- keeper of the National Bank of Newberry, South Carolina, and in 1884 he was made assistant cashier. He remained in the employ of the bank for twelve years. In 1892, upon the death of Mr. Henry C. Robertson, he was elected to succeed him as treasurer and general manager of the Newberry Cotton mills, of which Mr. Robert L. McCaughrin was then president. In 1899, upon the death of Mr. James N. Martin, who had succeeded Mr. McCaughrin, Mr. McCrary was unanimously elected by the directors, president and treasurer of the mills. Under his man- agement these mills were remarkably successful, and he gained the full confidence of both stockholders and employees.
While never an aspirant for political honors, he always exerted a strong influence on public opinion. He was active in the Wade Hampton campaign of 1876, and he exerted a strong though conservative influence and showed a most helpful public spirit in all that pertained to the welfare of the community in which he lived.
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By early training and by definite choice, Mr. McCrary was connected with the Presbyterian church, to which his ancestors for generations had belonged. He was a prominent member of the Aveleigh Presbyterian church for many years before his death; and he was chairman of its board of deacons. His interest in all that concerned the church is affectionately remembered by many who had felt his kindness. He was a member of Newberry lodge of Knights of Honor. He was a Knight of Pythias.
No man stood higher in the esteem and affection of his city and county than did Thomas J. McCrary. He was a man of domestic tastes, affectionate and kindly disposition, a lover of young people and children, and a genial companion. Yet in his business he was prompt and exact, himself setting an example of the business habits which he expected to see in others. Although he started in life with limited opportunities to acquire an educa- tion, he became a persistent reader of good literature, and developed a well-stored, well-informed mind. His public spirited devotion to duty, his energy and industry in business, and his upright character have proved that his ideas of life were worthy of imitation.
On November 14, 1878, Mr. McCrary married Miss Clara Johnstone, daughter of the late Chancellor Job Johnstone, of Newberry, South Carolina, who survives him.
NEWTON ALEXANDER McCULLY
M cCULLY, NEWTON ALEXANDER, now of San Francisco, California, since 1905 lieutenant-com- mander in the United States navy, and for twenty-four years engaged in the naval service, in 1904 and 1905 naval attaché with the Russian forces in the East during the Russian-Japanese war, was born at Anderson, South Carolina, on the 8th of June, 1867. His parents were Newton Alexander McCully and Caro- line Fretwell McCully, his wife. On his father's side, his great- grandfather, Stephen McCully, came from Ireland to South Caro- lina, in 1818. His earliest known ancestor in America on his mother's side was Thomas Russell, a lieutenant in the Continental army from 1775 to 1783.
His early life was passed in a village. He had excellent health, and was equally fond of his books and of the cut-of-door sports which interest healthy boys. He was not trained to any form of manual labor in his boyhood, but had good opportunities at school. Appointed to the United States Naval academy, at Annapolis, he studied there from 1883 to 1887, and was graduated with credit, in June, 1887. Books connected with the many forms of professional study which the naval officer of these late years must master, have always been his favorite lines of study.
In the United States navy as ensign, in July, 1889, he began his professional service, always inclined to that line of life by a strong predilection for the sea. In March, 1897, he became junior lieutenant. In April, 1899, he was promoted lieutenant. In April, 1905, he was promoted lieutenant-commander, which rank he now (1909) holds.
His twenty-six years of naval service have been for the most part routine service, except for the detail as naval attaché to observe the Russian-Japanese war, in 1904 and 1905. He has seen water service in Cuba, the Philippines and at Samoa.
Lieutenant-Commander McCully is a member of the Army and Navy club, of Washington, and of the University club, of New York. He has kept himself in good physical condition by a life-long healthful interest in out-of-door sports, as well as by
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the duties of his profession. His advice to the young men of South Carolina who wish to succeed in life is brief and pointed : "Learn as much as possible through actual experience."
The present address of Lieutenant-Commander McCully, United States navy, is U. S. S. California, care Postmaster, San Francisco, California.
JAMES EDWIN McDONALD
M cDONALD, JAMES EDWIN, lawyer, formerly presi- dent of the South Carolina Bar association, was born near Richburg, Chester county, South Carolina, on the 15th of December, 1856. His father, Rev. Laughlin McDonald, was a minister of the Gospel, of the Associate Reform Presby- terian church-a man of notably fine personal appearance, genial disposition and consecrated character. His mother was Malissa Lucinda (Stinson) McDonald, daughter of Daniel G. (Stinson or Stevenson). His father's family were of Scotch descent, and came to North Carolina or Georgia, in 1760. His mother's family, on paternal side, were of Irish descent.
In his boyhood, he was not robust; but while he assiduously attended the country schools near his home, he was fond of out- door sports, such as hunting and fishing. In his fourteenth and fifteenth years, he worked on his father's farm; and by this combination of work and sport he gained physical strength. Entering Erskine college in Abbeville county he was graduated with the degree of A. B. on the 4th of July, 1877. His own inclin- ation and personal preference led him toward the study of law; and the biographies of eminent lawyers and statesmen read in his boyhood confirmed him in this choice of a profession. There was at that time no law school in South Carolina and Mr. McDonald read law in the offices of McCants and Douglass from January, 1878, to the 16th of January, 1880, when he was admitted to the bar.
He at once began the practice of the profession in which he has been constantly engaged and with increasing reputation and influence, until the present time. Establishing himself at Winns- boro, he soon became attorney of the Winnsboro Granite company. He has for some years been attorney for the Southern Power com- pany. He is also assistant counsel for the Southern railway; and beside his general practice, he has been retained by many other corporations at different times. From 1884 to November, 1892, he was circuit solicitor. He has frequently been appointed special judge to hold regular and special terms of court, where the illness
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JAMES EDWIN M'DONALD
of a circuit judge or a congested docket rendered necessary a special appointment.
In 1894 he was elected mayor of Winnsboro. He is county chairman of the Democratic party in Fairfield county, South Carolina.
On the 12th of October, 1882, Mr. McDonald married Miss Lillie M. Elliott. They had six children, five of whom are living in 1909.
Mr. McDonald is a member of the Associate Reform church and has for years been an elder in that church. He is identified with the Omar Temple A. A. O. N., Mystic Shrine. He is a Knight Templar. He is a Mason, and a Knight of Pythias. He is a member of the Commercial club of Winnsboro.
To the young people of his state who wish to attain success in life, Mr. McDonald offers these suggestions :
"I urge the great importance of the systematic study of the best books. Always speak the truth and deal honestly with all men. Cultivate habits of cheerfulness and of sobriety. Study the lives of the best men and women of our country. Have faith in God and believe in yourself."
His address is Winnsboro, South Carolina.
SAMUEL HODGES MCGHEE
M CGHEE, SAMUEL HODGES, son of W. Z. McGhee and Sophronia R. Hodges McGhee, was born at Cokes- bury, Abbeville county, South Carolina, October 16, 1873. His father was a merchant, noted for foresight in business, kindness and keen sense of honor. He was a delegate to the national convention of the Democratic party in 1884, which nom- inated Grover Cleveland for president.
The earliest known paternal ancestor of the family in America, Zach McGhee, immigrated from Ireland; he settled first in North Carolina, fought in the war for American independence, and then settled in Abbeville county, South Carolina. The earliest known maternal ancestor in America came from England, settling first in Virginia, and, later, removing to Cokesbury.
In the early training of Samuel McGhee home influence was most potent, his mother affecting, profoundly and in all ways, the development of his character; private study also proved an important factor; school, in turn, played its part, and contact with men sharpened his desire for a broader outlook and a com- pleter life.
His father, W. Z. McGhee, a short time before he died, encountered business reverses which cramped the means of the family and rendered difficult the attainment of a college educa- tion by the son. Samuel suceeded, however, in attending the Cokesbury Conference school, Greenwood high school and Wofford college, from which, in 1895, he was graduated with the degree of A. B. By special work he earned from Wofford college, in 1896, the degree of A. M. In 1895, he began school teaching in Marion county, South Carolina. This he continued until 1899, when he became editor of the "Greenwood Index," remaining in this work until 1902. In 1898 he was admitted to the bar; in 1902 he began the practice of law, which he has since continued. In 1903 he was elected president of the First National bank of Greenwood, the bank having been organized at that date. Mr. McGhee was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions of 1900 and 1904. He is a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, having progressed in the latter order to the rank of Shriner.
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In politics Mr. McGhee is a gold Democrat; this position he regards as the historic one of the Democratic party, though he has always supported the nominees of the party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To young Americans he commends absolute sobriety, strict attention to duty, economy in public affairs and impartiality, but consideration for all.
Relative to matters of public interest and public policy in South Carolina, Mr. McGhee says: "The maintenance of law and order and the problem of equitable taxation appeal to me more strongly than any other question before the people of South Carolina. Growing out of frauds in taxation is public graft and the general lowering of ethical standards. The loose administra- tion of justice debases our whole civilization and makes our state less desirable for investors, for it is less desirable for homes. A strict enforcement of all laws will do more to enrich our state, perhaps, than all other agencies combined."
In 1906 Mr. McGhee married Miss Laurie Harrall of Ben- nettsville, South Carolina.
His address is Greenwood, Greenwood county, South Caro- lina.
Vol. IV-S. C .- 12.
JAMES HIGGINS McINTOSH
M CINTOSH, JAMES HIGGINS, physician and surgeon, and banker, was born in Newberry, Newberry county, South Carolina, October 3, 1866. His parents were James and Frances C. McIntosh. For a long time his father was a physician, but some years ago he retired from practice and became president of the Newberry Savings bank. His marked character- istics are decision and uncompromising adherence to principle. The paternal ancestors came to this country from Scotland. Their descendants are the McIntoshes and Greggs of Darlington county, South Carolina. The maternal ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland and from them descended the Caldwells and Higginses of Newberry county, South Carolina.
In early youth James McIntosh was in delicate health. Hiş special tastes were centered in reading, which took a very wide range. He lived in the village of Newberry and when not in school he performed various kinds of farm work, and cared for the live stock. His father required his boys to work in order to keep them "out of mischief," and the subject of this sketch believes this work was of great benefit to him, in that it improved his health and also kept him from forming the habits of smoking and drinking. There were no special difficulties in the way of his acquiring an education. He attended the Newberry Male academy and then entered Newberry college, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1884. He took the pro- fessional course of study in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, New York city, 1886-1888, and in the year last named was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. He took a post- graduate course at Johns Hopkins university 1884-86, studying chemistry, physiology, biology, etc., being what was then known as the preliminary medical course. The Johns Hopkins Medical school had not then been established.
The active work of life was commenced in New York city in 1888 as resident on staff of Bellevue hospital. For a short time in 1890, he was resident physician to the midwifery dispensary. In the year last named he removed to Newberry, South Carolina,
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