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 3
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As a boy Richard Brackett was rather delicate in health, of a nervous temperament, fond of out-door sports, a great reader and a lover of nature. During early life his winters were passed in Winnsboro and Charleston, South Carolina; his summers, usually, in the country in Richland county, near Columbia. Several of his summers, however, were passed at Newton, Massa- chusetts, and in the mountains of North Carolina. No labor was required of him in his youth, though he often put in wood and coal for a consideration, and helped, from choice, in work on the farm. Educational opportunities were at his command. He was graduated from Davidson college, North Carolina, in 1883, with the degree of A. B., afterwards he specialized in chemistry, mineralogy and geology in Johns Hopkins university, receiving from that institution in 1887 the degree of Ph. D. The books found most helpful in fitting him for his life-work were the Bible, Shakespeare, and Tennyson. His college course was pursued not as a preparation for a livelihood, but for the attainment of an education. After graduation, he thought of studying Greek; in fact, however, he drifted naturally, as he believed, into science. The chief influences that molded the character of Mr. Brackett have been home training and the example of his father's studious Vol. IV-S. C .- 3.
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habits, gentleness, modesty, and strength of character, and contact with men in active life. To these, however, should be added the companionship, for seventeen years, of a woman of great strength of character and fine instincts.
Dr. Brackett has held the position of chief chemist for the Arkansas geological survey. In this work he continued from 1887 to 1891, when he became associate professor of chemistry in the Clemson Agricultural college in South Carolina, which position he still (1909) holds. From 1891 until it was separated from the college he also held the position of associate chemist of the South Carolina Experiment station.
In 1905, Dr. Brackett compiled and edited "The Old Stone Church, Oconee County, South Carolina." He has also published "Ethers of Benzoic Sulphinid," and "Preparation of Orthosul- phomenzoic Acid," both in the American Chemical Journal (Vol. 9, No. 6) ; and "Periodotite of Pike County, Arkansas," in the American Journal of Science (Vol. XXXVIII, July, 1889) ; and "Newtonite and Rectorite," in the same publication (Vol. XLII, July, 1891). He is a member of the American Chemical society, and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In politics, Dr. Brackett has, through life, been a Dem- ocrat; in religion, he is a Presbyterian. As a boy he was fond of baseball. He still enjoys tennis and general sports, but, for years, has had no time to indulge in them.
To young Americans, Dr. Brackett commends total absti- nence from all stimulants, a hearty participation in all clean, manly sports, careful selection of the best of literature and daily study of the Bible.
On June 16, 1889, Dr. Brackett married Bessie Brandon Craig. They have had three children, two of whom are now (1909) living.
His address is Clemson College, South Carolina.
ROBERT FOSTER BRADLEY
B RADLEY, REV. ROBERT FOSTER, pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church of Long Cane, Abbeville county, South Carolina, founder, and for two years editor and publisher of "The Psalm Singer," was born in Abbeville county, September 22, 1846. His father, William Kid Bradley, was a captain in the War between the States, and a legislator. His mother, Mary Caroline Foster, died when he was but six months old. Through his grandmother he is descended from Scotch Presbyterian stock, her father having left the banks of the Tweed in Scotland to settle in Abbeville county, South Carolina. His father's grandfather, Patrick Bradley, emigrated from Carrick Fergus, County Down, Ireland, and settled in Abbe- ville county, South Carolina, about 1770. Among his ancestors are several men who were eminent for piety as well as for public spirit, and who like his grandfather, John Bradley, and his father, W. K. Bradley, both elders in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church at Long Cane,-are remembered for their Christian character and their devotion to the church of their choice.
A healthy boyhood passed in the country, not confined to regular tasks of manual labor, was given to study in the schools at Long Cane. He speaks especially of his debt to one of his early instructors, Mrs. Kate Patton Kennedy, "the first educated woman in Long Cane church, and in that part of the county." For several years he attended the school taught by the Rev. Dr. Patton, a famous instructor at that time. Throughout his life he has felt himself indebted to the serious study given in boy- hood to Brown's Catechism, the Shorter Catechism, Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," and the Bible. He entered Erskine college for the last term of the senior year and was graduated in 1869.
After teaching school for a year, in the fall of 1870 he entered the theological seminary at Due West, South Carolina, and after a two years' course of study under the Rev. James Boyce, D. D., and the Rev. William M. Grier, D. D., he was graduated from the seminary and licensed to preach at Cannon's Creek, Newberry county, South Carolina, in the fall of 1872. On
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September 5, 1873, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Generostee and Concord congregations, in Anderson county, South Carolina, where he remained for ten years. In the spring of 1884 he was installed the first pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church at Troy, Greenwood county, South Carolina, continuing pastor of that church until the spring of 1889. On December 5, 1889, he became pastor of the Long Cane church, Abbeville county, South Carolina, where he still preaches.
While editor of "The Psalm Singer" Mr. Bradley proposed the first "Pan-Psalmody Council," which was held in Glasgow, Scotland, October 15, 1886. He has all his life been an eager advocate of the prohibition of the liquor traffic. He has identified himself with the movement to bring into closer and more friendly relations the Associate Reformed Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian churches; and he was sent as a delegate of the Asso- ciate Reformed Presbyterian church to extend Christian greetings to the assembly of the United Presbyterian church, in May, 1903.
Mr. Bradley married Martha Rosana Wideman, on Septem- ber 11, 1871. They have had eleven children, ten of whom are now living. In estimating the influences which have been most powerful in his life, Mr. Bradley feels that in his own case private study outweighs the work of school and the influence of early companionship and of contact with men in later life.
He served in the War between the States twelve months as a private in the Second South Carolina cavalry. He is identified with the Democratic party. He has found his exercise and relax- ation in walking. The first strong impulse to strive for success in life came from a wish "to promote the public good, temporal and spiritual," and this is the motive which he feels has prompted his work for his state and for the church.
Men of Mark Publis, Mr 2v. Washington, D. C.
Young July
THOMAS FREDERICK BRANTLEY
B RANTLEY, THOMAS FREDERICK, a prominent lawyer of Orangeburg, South Carolina, repeatedly elected a member of the state legislature from his county and later chosen state senator, was born in Orangeburg on the 28th of January, 1867. His father, Ellison W. Brantley, was a farmer of integrity and strong character, who had married Miss Angelina Ulmer, several of whose ancestors were prominent in the Indian wars and during the war of the Revolution.
His mother died when he was but two years old; but his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Brantley, "a Christian woman of marked character," had a strong influence in shaping the life standards of her motherless grandson; and to her influence he gratefully acknowledges himself deeply in debt. He was early taught to do his share and rather more than his share of work upon his father's farm; and the habit of working full hours and even more hours among his day laborers, he says, has given him a life in sympathy with and interest in the affairs of the working people.
He began in his youth to earn money; and, determined to secure an education, he borrowed some money to pay his expenses while he attended the Bingham school of North Carolina; for which he had been fitted in the public schools of his county. From the Bingham school he proceeded to the South Carolina university, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in the class of 1892. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; and from the beginning of his college course he felt a strong interest in oratory and in public debating. He was valedictorian of his literary society, the Euphradian ; and won the medal from that society for debating.
From earliest boyhood he had been especially attracted by the political ideas and the great speeches of prominent Americans, and had early determined to become a lawyer. After his gradua- tion from the South Carolina university, he entered the law department of the Georgetown university at Washington, District of Columbia, and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1895. In a public debate with Columbian university, he with two
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others of his class won the honors of the inter-university debate.
Just after graduation he was appointed chief of division of the Treasury Department, Washington, District of Columbia, having won the appointment by an examination for this position. He held that office for three years, during the second Cleveland administration. But having made the personal acquaintance of W. J. Bryan and of other prominent Democrats, and advocating actively upon the stump in West Virginia and in other doubtful states the election of Bryan, he was dismissed from his position by reason of his active interest in the Bryan campaign; and he at once began the practice of law at his native place, where he has since resided.
On the 26th of April, 1905, he married Miss Estelle Fairey, daughter of John W. Fairey of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They have one daughter, Mary Ellison Brantley.
In 1898 Mr. Brantley was for the first time elected to the house of representatives of South Carolina; and he was reelected the following year. In 1902, he was elected to the state senate. Resigning his position in the state senate to engage in the cam- paign for a seat in the congress of the United States, he was one of five contestants, and led the five in the first campaign, but in the second race, he was defeated by the present member of con- gress from the Second South Carolina district, by a small majority. Mr. Brantley is at the time of life when a future in political office is still open to him; and his many friends have confidence that the career which he has marked out for himself will be carried still farther in the public service of the people of South Carolina.
In politics he is a Democrat. He is interested in local govern- ment as well as in national politics. He was a delegate to the National Democratic convention at Denver in 1908, and was a warm supporter of the nomination of Bryan in that convention. He was a member of the committee to notify Bryan of his nomi- nation for the presidency.
By religious conviction, Mr. Brantley is identified with the Baptist church. His favorite form of exercise and relaxation he has always found in riding and driving and hunting.
He offers this advice to the young men of his state who wish to attain true success in life : "Be persistent, cautious, but brave
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as a lion when your plans are matured. Place sound principles of government above factional feeling." "Every young man should win a home for himself and in that home should cultivate a Christian life and Christian virtues. Happy and contented homes make true patriots and a stable government."
JOHN HAMPDEN BROOKS
B ROOKS, JOHN HAMPDEN, planter, soldier, state sen- ator, was born at Edgefield court-house, South Carolina, September 6, 1833. His father, Whitfield Brooks, a lawyer and planter, was commissioner in equity and vice-president of the State Agricultural society from 1839 to 1845. His mother was Mary Parsons Carroll; and her influence has been very strong upon both the moral and spiritual life of her son. Among the ancestry of Senator Brooks may be mentioned James Butler, Zechariah S. Brooks, James Parsons Carroll, and others who were patriots in the colonial and revolutionary period, or promi- nent lawyers and statesmen in the subsequent history of the state.
He was born in a home of wealth and ease, and while his health was delicate in childhood and early youth, his fondness for hunting, fishing and other out-of-door sports contributed to the building up of a constitution which has enabled him to live a life of active usefulness in his community until he is now past the mark of three score years and ten. As a boy he studied at the Edgefield academy, the Greenwood high school, and later at Mt. Zion college and at South Carolina college, from which he was graduated in 1854. In 1856 he married Miss Mary G. Adams; and he was married a second time December 30, 1858, to Mrs. Jane M. Gist.
His first strong impulse to strive for eminence came, as he says, "from the example of my ancestors and my kindred gen- erally." He adds, "My own personal preference as well as their example made me a planter, but the details of management were left entirely to overseers."
In 1857 he was elected to the lower house of the state legis- lature from Edgefield, at the head of the ticket, and by the largest vote ever given for a member, "a tribute to my brother, Preston S. Brooks, member of congress, who had recently died," says Mr. Brooks. Serving one term, he declined a reëlection. Senator Brooks recalls with interest the prolonged balloting for United States senator, when Ex-Governor James H. Adams (his father-in-law) received "the same fifty votes in ten successive ballots." Colonel James Chesnut was elected on the tenth ballot.
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Upon the breaking out of the War between the States, Mr. Brooks became "an active participant in what appeared needful prepara- tion." He organized the first Minute Men club in Edgefield. When his state seceded, he entered into state service "with the first ten regiments, as captain of an Edgefield company drawn from the Tenth militia (Saluda) regiment-the company bearing the name of the 'Brooks Grays,' in honor of my lamented brother, Preston S. Brooks."
Ordered to Charleston when the firing on Sumter began, after a brief stay there the regiment took Confederate service, was ordered to Virginia, and was brigaded with the second, third and eighth South Carolina regiments and Kemper's battery, under General Bonham, "the first brigade of the first division, first corps, army of the Potomac." His company was engaged in outpost duty until they fell back to Bull Run and awaited the attack there, taking part in the battle on the 21st of July, 1861 (First Manassas).
Declining reelection as captain of his company at the reor- ganization of the twelve months' troops, he served for some time on the staff of General Kershaw, and then, recommended by Generals Johnston and Kershaw, he obtained authority to raise a new company of partisan rangers, with whom he joined Nel- son's battalion, Hagood's brigade, on the South Carolina coast. He served with that command until he was appointed lieutenant- colonel of the second Foreign battalion. As illustrating the devo- tion of his family to the cause in which he was engaged, the fact may be mentioned that this company, as well as the "Brooks Grays," were uniformed at the expense of Mr. Brooks' mother.
Under Hagood, Captain Brooks was engaged at Pocotaligo, and was the advance picket at Battery Wagner at the time of the first assault. At the battle of Drewy's Bluff Captain Brooks led seventy-five men into action, and lost sixty-seven of them, killed and wounded, being wounded himself three times. Especially commended by General Hagood for good conduct in this battle, upon request of General Beauregard, indorsed by General Lee, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and assigned to organize and command one of the "Foreign battalions" accepted by the Confederate authorities. Beginning at Charleston, with the attack on Fort Sumter, and being present at the battle of Bentonville, the last battle of the war east of the Mississippi,
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Colonel Brooks served for the full four years, and was never in hospital except from wounds, and never lost a day's service on account of sickness.
The war ended, and "all lost but honor," says Senator Brooks, "the real strenuous life now began." "With no profession, heavily in debt, and with a family to support," he became a cotton planter; and he now feels that the significance of his life lies in the fact that "coming out of the war with a heavy debt, I have managed to rear and educate twelve children, and still to devote much time to the upbuilding and uplifting of our state from her desolation and despondency in the years which immediately followed the war." Feeling deeply the horrors which attended upon the reconstruction period in South Carolina, "in some respects very much worse than the war," Senator Brooks has been one of those whose family associations and early training have led them to emphasize state's rights. And from the evils of what he regards as the "two cataclysms" in the politics of the state since the war, the period of reconstruction, and that of "the so-called reform movement," Senator Brooks feels that he has done all in his power, in time and money, to redeem the state. He has "faith in the rank and file of his fellow citizens," he "thanks God that the hatchet has been buried, and the calumet of peace is being smoked," and he declares that in the future he shall give his vote and support "to the best man, without regard to past affiliations." He says: "I should like, in our own legisla- tive halls, to hear less about 'the state,' and more about the people; I should like the coordinate branches of the state government more independent in their respective functions."
Under President Cleveland Mr. Brooks was deputy collector of internal revenue. He was a member of the South Carolina house of representatives for two terms, 1901 to 1905, representing Greenwood; and he is now a state senator from Greenwood county, his term beginning with January, 1905. As senator he was the author of the recent act establishing an Infirmary for Confederate veterans-a project for which he labored long and earnestly, and in the success of which he takes both pleasure and pride. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Knights of Honor. His religious convictions place him in affiliation with the Episcopal church. Shooting and horseback riding have been his favorite forms of exercise. History, both ancient and modern ;
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biography; and the English classics, both prose and verse, have been his most profitable and favorite reading. Looking back over three score years and ten, Senator Brooks says, "I have ever aimed at the respect rather than the admiration of mankind." "Upon the whole, the world has been kind to me. I have enjoyed fortune equal to my desires. I have attained honors commensurate with my ambition. I have been blessed with domestic happiness far beyond my deserts." Asked to make suggestions to the young people of his state, he writes: "I do not think our youth need exhortation to the 'strenuous life'; but I do think they need improvement in morals, manners and aims in life; and to this end I would recommend their close study of the Bible, Shakespeare, and the Episcopal prayer book."
The address of Senator Brooks is Cambridge, South Caro- lina.
MATTHEW CALBRAITH BUTLER
B UTLER, MATTHEW CALBRAITH, lawyer, soldier, from captain to major general in the Confederate army, member of the South Carolina legislature, United States senator from South Carolina from 1877 to 1895, major general of United States volunteers in the Spanish-American war, and with Admiral Sampson and General Wade a commissioner to assist the Spanish government in evacuating the island of Cuba-one of the most distinguished sons of South Carolina-was born near Greenville, South Carolina, on the 8th of March, 1836.
On his father's side he is descended from the distinguished family of Butlers who through successive generations have furnished soldiers, professional men and statesmen to the state of South Carolina. Tracing their descent from the Dukes of Ormond, they were among the pioneers of South Carolina, coming from Prince William county, Virginia, where they had first settled, and establishing themselves in the northern portion of Edgefield county, South Carolina. His great-grandfather, Cap- tain James Butler, died while fighting in the Continental army, in the year 1782. James Butler's son, General William Butler, rose from the rank of lieutenant to that of major general, and became prominent in the legislature of South Carolina, later representing his state for thirteen years in the congress of the United States, and resigning his seat to make room for the great exponent of state rights from South Carolina, John C. Calhoun. William Butler's son, William Butler, M. D., was an assistant surgeon in the United States navy; was with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and while stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, he met and married Miss Jane Tweedy Perry, a sister of Com- modore O. H. Perry of Lake Erie fame, and of Commodore M. C. Perry who first opened up commercial relations between the United States and Japan. Resigning from the navy, Dr. Butler settled upon his estate on the Saluda river in Edgefield county, but after two years he bought a place near Greenville, South Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Here was born Matthew Calbraith Butler, named after his illustrious uncle, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry.
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MATTHEW CALBRAITH BUTLER
In 1848, President Polk appointed Dr. William Butler agent to the Cherokee Indians. The family went overland from Green- ville to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, the twelve-year-old boy, Matthew Calbraith, driving a mule in a one-horse wagon. For three years he lived at Fort Gibson.
Commodore M. C. Perry had written to his sister, after the death of Dr. Butler at Fort Gibson, asking to have one of her boys, his namesake, to educate; and Judge A. P. Butler, of South Carolina, an uncle on his father's side, also asked for one of Dr. Butler's sons to be educated under his care. The choice of the uncle with whom he would live was left to Calbraith; and he elected to go to Judge Butler; and at Edgefield, South Carolina, in the fall of 1851, when fifteen years old, Calbraith took his place in the home of his uncle, Judge Butler. He rode five miles to attend the school at Edgefield each day. He was a leader in all boys' sports, a fair fighter and a general favorite, but full of mischief, although a good scholar.
Entering the South Carolina college in 1854, he studied for three years, but withdrew at the end of the junior year to take up the study of law with his uncle, Judge A. P. Butler, who was one of the leading lawyers of South Carolina, and a member of the United States senate. The widow of General William Butler lived with her son, Judge Butler. She had been famed through- out her part of the state for the force and grace of her character, no less than for her beauty. She devoted herself to training and forming the character of her grandson, Matthew Calbraith, who, mindful of the early training of his devoted mother, has always acknowledged his debt to her for her influence over his youth.
Admitted to the bar, he began his professional career at Edgefield, South Carolina, in 1857. On February 21st, 1858, he married Miss Maria Simkins Pickens, daughter of Col. F. W. Pickens, who subsequently became governor of South Carolina. In 1859 he was elected to the legislature of his state.
At the outbreak of the War between the States he volunteered for the Confederate service. Elected captain of the Edgefield hussars, he went at once to the seat of war in Virginia. His troops marched from Ashland, Virginia, where there was a camp of instruction, and reached Manassas the day after the first battle of Manassas; and his service was continuous and brilliant, with
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successive promotions, until he was made major general of cavalry on the 25th of August, 1864.
At the desperate battle of Brandy Station on the 9th of June, 1863, Colonel M. C. Butler, at the head of his regiment, the Second South Carolina cavalry, as he led the charge is remem- bered by many as one of the most strikingly handsome and dashing commanders of the War between the States. A cannon ball carried off his leg, and the same ball which maimed him for life cut off above the knee the leg of Captain Farley. Colonel Butler staunched the blood with his handkerchief, and called to Captain Farley to do the same. Captain Chestnut, Lieutenant Rhett and other officers came running to the aid of Butler, but Colonel Butler noticed that Farley's dying horse seemed likely to crush his rider, and refusing help for himself he said, "Go to Captain Farley, who needs you more than I do." As Captain Farley was laid upon the litter, he asked them to pick up his leg and lay it beside him; then he said, "Now, gentlemen, you have done for me all that is possible. I shall be dead within an hour. God bless you for your kindness! Farewell! Go at once to Colonel Butler." General Butler's leg was dressed at the Fitz- hugh farm house near the battlefield just as Captain Farley breathed his last. No one can read of these courteous, high- hearted soldiers without recalling Sir Philip Sidney who waved away the cup of cold water from his dying lips and sent it to the private soldier who lay wounded near him on the battlefield. General Butler's devotion to the men under his command was always noticeable. He had the respect, the confidence and the love of his men, to an exceptional degree.
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