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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
Mr. Galluchat served for two years as a member of the Ku Klux Klan and for two years in the Hampton light dragoons under Captain D. W. Brailsford of Panola, South Carolina.
Mr. Galluchat's bent in politics was determined by the "Shell Manifesto." He has, through life, been a Democrat. He is also a disciple of Izaak Walton.
Such failures as Mr. Galluchat has suffered have been due, he believes, to lack of care in seemingly trivial details. This, he says, has cost him much trouble and retarded his progress. "Bestowing," he says, "all thought on what I write, not enough on how I write; on what I do, not enough on how I do it."
To the young he recommends great care in choosing a specialty, and strict attention to details in honorable employment.
He was married January 31, 1878, to Thomasia Woodson Thompson, great-granddaughter of Colonel Thompson, of Revo- lutionary fame. Two children have been born of this marriage, one of whom is still (1909) living.
His address is Manning, Clarendon county, South Carolina.
GEORGE WILLIAM GARDNER
G T ARDNER, GEORGE WILLIAM, D. D., of Greenwood, Greenwood county, South Carolina, pastor, preacher, for five years editor of the "South Carolina Baptist" and since 1902 editor and proprietor of the "Greenwood Journal," was born in Orangeburg county, on the 5th of August, 1851. His father, Dempsey Gardner, was a farmer, remembered for his sound judgment, his punctilious regard for truth, and his interest in the welfare of his community. He was for many years a school trustee. William Gardner, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Baptist preacher, distinguished for his patriotism at the time of the Revolutionary war. His son, Elijah Gardner, was also a Baptist preacher.
His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Hooker) Gardner, whose father was a Virginian, had a strong influence over the life of her son. Born in the country, and spending his early life there, he grew up with a vigorous constitution and was early taught how to "work with his hands." He secured an education for himself by dint of his own perseverance and hard work. Beside what he earned at farm work, he saved money to pay his expenses at college out of his salary for teaching school.
Entering Furman university for the usual course of study he was graduated in 1876 with the degree of B. S. The next two years were spent in study at the Southern Baptist Theological seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated in 1878.
He began his work as a preacher by supplying Baptist churches while he was in college. He was ordained a Baptist minister on the 15th of August, 1875. In 1880 he was settled as pastor over the Baptist church at Lancaster, South Carolina, where he remained until 1885, in which year he accepted the call of the First Baptist church of Union, South Carolina, where he preached for two years. From 1890 to 1894 he was pastor of the First Baptist church of Oxford, Mississippi.
107
GEORGE WILLIAM GARDNER
In 1878, upon the completion of his studies, he had his first experience in connection with the management of a denomina- tional newspaper, serving as business manager of the "Baptist Courier." In 1897 he became the editor of the "South Carolina Baptist" and he discharged the duties of that position until 1902, since which time he has been both editor and proprietor of the "Greenwood Journal."
In addition to the work which he has done as editor of the two journals already named, Dr. Gardner is pastor of Baptist churches. He has also written many articles for the religious papers of the South. His correspondence with and articles for "The Biblical Recorder" of North Carolina, describing foreign travel, were widely read and in many cases reprinted. They were somewhat satirical and were written as burlesques on the morbid desire for notoriety which is shown by many people who have made brief trips to foreign countries. Besides this lighter work of his pen, and his editorial writings, Dr. Gardner has published a number of sermons at different times during his pastorate.
On April 22, 1880, Dr. Gardner married Miss Dora L. West, of Greenville, South Carolina. They had one child, a daughter, who is the wife of Mr. W. P. Durst, of Greenville. On December 22, 1885, he married Miss Laura Kendrick of Mecklenberg county, North Carolina. They had two sons, one of whom, G. W. Gard- ner, Jr., survives his mother and is associated with his father in the publication of the "Greenwood Journal" (of which Dr. Gard- ner is the senior editor and proprietor), one of the best of the South Carolina weekly newspapers. On January 18, 1898, he married Miss Sudie Shelor, of Calhoun, Georgia.
Dr. Gardner is greatly interested in the work of higher education and has contributed liberally to Furman university, his alma mater, making at one time a gift of $1,000 to the insti- tution. He has also used his editorial columns in advocating the cause of temperance which has given the paper quite a reputation.
At college he was a member of the Kappa Alpha society. He votes with the Democratic party and sympathizes with the principles of that party. His favorite form of exercise has been "the use of a good horse and buggy."
108
GEORGE WILLIAM GARDNER
From his experience as pastor and editor, Dr. Gardner offers to the young people of South Carolina these suggestions for the attainment of true success in life: "Promptness, strict attention to business details, frugality, scrupulous honesty, courteous treat- ment of others, and at the same time open and pronounced views of your own, especially where moral questions are involved."
FRANK BOYD GARY
G ARY, FRANK BOYD, lawyer and legislator, for five consecutive terms representative of Abbeville county in the general assembly of his state, three times elected speaker of its house of representatives, and now a member of the United States senate, was born in Cokesbury (then Abbeville county), South Carolina, March 9, 1860. His father, Franklin F. Gary, M. D., was a physician, a member of the general assembly of South Carolina, president of the State Medical association, and a member of the State board of health, widely known throughout South Carolina not only for his professional ability, but also for the weight of character which belonged to him from his integrity of purpose and his honesty of life. His mother was Mary Carolina (Blackburn) Gary, and to her influence her son attributes much that is most interesting and best in his intel- lectual and his spiritual life. His earliest known ancestor in America was John Witherspoon, who came directly from Ireland in 1784.
Delicate in health in his childhood, he was not averse to study, but he was "passionately fond of baseball." His early life was passed in the village of Cokesbury. The circumstances of his father's life were such as to relieve him of any need of manual labor in his boyhood and from all those financial diffi- culties which attend the school and college course of a young man who is compelled to support himself by his own earnings while he studies.
Fitted for college at Cokesbury Conference school, he entered Union college, at Schenectady, New York, and was a member of the class of 1881, but because of sickness in his senior year he was compelled to return home without graduation. He read law in the office of his brother, at Abbeville, South Carolina. His first strong impulse to strive for the prizes of life, he feels that he owes to the teachings of his parents, who early filled him with the conviction that he ought "to live an honorable life." His own personal choice and preference led him to the study of law; and he was admitted to the bar at Abbeville, South Carolina,
110
FRANK BOYD GARY
in 1881, and has practiced at that place since that time. Always affiliated with the Democratic party, he has never failed to support its principles, measures and candidates. In the year in which he was admitted to the bar, he was appointed (by Speaker James Simons) bill clerk of the house of representatives of South Carolina; and he was reappointed to this position each successive year until 1890, when Mr. Gary was himself elected a member of that house. Mr. Gary feels that much of whatever success he has attained as a presiding officer he owes to the opportunity given him for "learning something of parliamentary law" while for nine years he filled the post of bill clerk of the house, and to his intimate association during that time with Speaker Simons, who interested himself personally in making suggestions and giving instruction to the young man whom he had chosen as bill clerk.
After his election to the house in 1890, he was reelected for four consecutive terms. Further evidence of the esteem and confidence which his fellow-citizens repose in him, was shown in his designation as a member of the Constitutional convention of South Carolina, in 1895. The estimate which his fellow repre- sentatives placed upon his ability and his fairness was shown in his election three times as speaker of the house. On March 6, 1908, he was elected by the general assembly of South Carolina United States senator to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Asbury C. Latimer, deceased.
On January 6, 1897, Mr. Gary married Miss Maria Lee Evans. They have one child now (1909) living.
He is a Mason; he is potentate of Oasis Temple of A. A. O. N. M. Shriners. His religious connection is with the Methodist Church, South.
By his early choice of the law as a profession; by his college training at one of the famous Northern colleges; by his intimate and practical acquaintance with the business and the methods of law-making, and with parliamentary law and practice through his service of nineteen years as bill clerk or representative in the general assembly of his state; and by his practice of the law for a quarter of a century at Abbeville, Senator Gary is widely known throughout the state by a host of men who have learned to esteem
-
111
FRANK BOYD GARY
him through association with him in the work of the state legis- lature; and he seems to be as intimately associated as it is possible for any man to be with the making of laws and the practice of the law in South Carolina.
The home address of Senator Gary is Abbeville, South Carolina.
BOYCE HEMPHILL GRIER
G RIER, BOYCE HEMPHILL, pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, was born at Due West, South Carolina, November 8, 1861. Most of his life has been spent and most of his work as pastor has been done in his native state, although for five years, soon after he left the theo- logical seminary, he successfully filled a pastorate at Mount Zion, Missouri. He is the son of President Robert Calvin Grier, a minister of the Gospel, president of Erskine college, pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church at Due West, and for years a distinguished teacher of mental and moral philosophy. His mother was Mrs. Barbara B. (Moffatt) Grier; and her grand- father, John Hemphill, a distinguished Covenanter of Scotch- Irish descent, came from Ireland to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Her son feels that much that is strongest and best in his spiritual life is due to the influence of his mother, to whose sole care and guidance the death of his father, while he was still a boy, early committed him.
From the circumstances of his boyhood it was natural that, born in a college town and the son of a college president, he should have felt very early in life a love for books and should have developed a fondness for reading. His father died when he was but nine years old; and the son missed greatly the advice and the assistance of his father in his plans for securing an education.
It would be interesting to group the men who having attained prominence in English and American life have felt that much of their finest feeling for poetry and much of their philosophy of religion has been inspired, colored and given form by their early fondness for Milton's "Paradise Lost." To this great Puritan classic of the English speaking race, and to John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Doctor Grier feels himself most deeply indebted; for these two books he began to love in his early boy- hood. The wisdom of his mother in giving to her sons systematic daily tasks in the cotton patch and in the garden, and in requiring them to work through the summer upon a farm, they believe has been fully vindicated by the benefit to their health and by the
113
BOYCE HEMPHILL GRIER
habits of industry and self-reliance which she thus formed and fostered in them.
Boyce Hemphill Grier studied in the schools of Due West and was graduated from Erskine college in 1882. He then took a special course of study in the ancient languages, for a year, at the University of Virginia. The profession of teaching then claimed his time for a year of fruitful service, at Honea Path, South Carolina. Entering the theological seminary of Erskine college, he was graduated from the course of study at that institution in 1887. For the first few years of his work in the ministry his health was so delicate as to give to his friends great anxiety. After supplying churches in Kentucky he was settled as pastor of the Mount Zion Associate Reformed church in Lincoln county, Missouri. The climate of Missouri did not prove favorable for his health. In 1894 he removed to Yorkville, South Carolina, assuming the pastorate of two Associate Reformed churches, one at Yorkville and the other at Tirzah. The double duty involved in caring for these two congregations, although agreeable to him, proved too heavy for his strength and health; and in 1901 he removed to Ora, Laurens county, taking charge of the Associate Reformed church at that place.
He has been three times married; first, on November 5, 1889, to Miss Julia Kennedy, who died in June, 1890; second, on July 28, 1891, to Miss Susie Lee, daughter of Professor Joseph F. Lee, who died in 1903; and third, in April, 1907, married Miss Susie Ketchin, of Winnsboro, South Carolina. He has had five children, all by his second wife, of whom four are now (1909) living.
Mr. Grier was one of the editors of "The Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Church." His political convictions have led to his identification with the Democratic party. He urges upon the young men of South Carolina, first, the wisdom of improving to the full such advantages of education as they can secure in youth and early manhood; and in later years, and throughout life, "the patient and diligent application of heart and mind to the task just at hand."
His address is Ora, Laurens county, South Carolina.
Vol. IV-S. C .- 7.
HARRISON PATILLO GRIFFITH
G RIFFITH, HARRISON PATILLO, since 1896 professor of English in Limestone college, Gaffney, Cherokee county, South Carolina, and for fifteen years, from 1881 to 1896, president of that institution, was born in Laurens county, South Carolina, February 25, 1837. His father, Stephen Griffith, was a farmer of good sense, sound judgment and sterling integ- rity, who never aspired to any public office above that of magis- trate. His mother, Mrs. Martha (Woodruff) Griffith, was doing the work of a wise and influential teacher of future teachers, when in the youth of her son she impressed deeply upon him moral standards and imparted to him intellectual and spiritual influences which have been potent in the training which as a teacher for thirty-two years he has given to the young people of his state. His great-grandfather, Ezekiel Griffith, came to South Carolina from Wales about 1750; and one of his sons, Stephen Griffith, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, fighting at Eutaw Springs and Camden.
In his early childhood Harrison Griffith showed a marked taste for books, although he enjoyed field sports. While he was growing up in the country, he was taught by experience the value of regular daily tasks which involved manual labor; and by such work he formed habits of industry which stood him in good stead in the trying years which immediately followed the War between the States. He attended the country schools within his reach, meantime finding great delight in poetry and the best works of fiction, as well as in history and biography. He formed the definite purpose of devoting himself to literature; and inspired by the example of Simms and Hayne, he had hoped to follow in their footsteps and to do with his pen some work which "the world would not willingly let die." Entering Furman university, he spent two years in study there, 1855 and 1856; but his health failed, and he withdrew without completing the course. He began the active work of life in Laurens county as a farmer.
On January 22, 1861, he married Miss Amanda Lanford.
He had the means of gratifying his taste, which inclined him to a literary life. But the outbreak of the War between the
115
HARRISON PATILLO GRIFFITH
States convinced him that the times demanded of him action rather than thought and literary expression; and in August, 1861, he enlisted, and became captain of Company E, of the Fourteenth South Carolina volunteers, serving until the close of the war. He was wounded at Gettysburg; and he was desper- ately wounded during the battle of the Wilderness, on May 5, 1864. At that time his life was saved by the devotion of four men of his company (all still living-"Fortune favors the brave"-) who carried him in their arms for three-quarters of a mile through a storm of shot and shell, from a portion of that terrible battlefield which received no attention from the hospital corps and surgeons of either army for five subsequent days and nights. He was the only man of his brigade who was carried out after that engagement; and he says, "in my condition, lack of attention for one day of the five would have meant certain death." Since the war he has been elected colonel of the Cherokee regi- ment of United Confederate Veterans.
At the close of the war he found himself "in the depths of poverty, and partially disabled in body by wounds." "It was then that I learned the good effects of the farm work I was compelled by my father to do in my boyhood," he writes: "I worked with all my might on a farm for ten years, to support my growing family. Then I accepted the principalship of the Woodruff high school (in 1873) as a temporary expedient, because the salary offered me was tempting. I fully expected to abandon it after one year. But I threw my whole soul into it as if I expected to hold it for life. At the close of the session the pressure to con- tinue was too strong for me to resist; and for thirty-five years since that time I have not found a fit time to give up the work of teaching. I never studied with a view to teaching; and to this day I hardly feel that teaching is my profession."
He continued principal of the high school at Woodruff, South Carolina, from 1873 to 1881. In December, 1881, he became president of Limestone college, retaining that position for fifteen years. In 1896 he resigned the presidency and became professor of English in the college-a post which he still (1909) holds. He has held no political, civil, or ecclesiastical offices, although he has often been solicited to seek them. The service which he has rendered to the state has been done in the work of education, by inspiring young men and women with high ideals.
116
HARRISON PATILLO GRIFFITH
He is identified with the Democratic party and has never varied in his allegiance to that party, its principles and its candi- dates. He is a member of the Baptist church. He is a Mason. He has had seven children, four of whom are now (1909) living.
He published in 1882 a "Life of Landrum"; and in 1895, "Personal Recollections of Chancellorsville." He has also written a "Life of John Ergell," and a small volume on "Timrod and His Poetry," besides contributing many articles, both in prose and verse, to current literature.
President Griffith, for the sake of helping young people who may know something of the details of his life, says that he feels that he should have accomplished more in life had it not been for "lack of fixedness of purpose, and a tendency to reverie."
WILLIAM BARTOW GRUBER
G RUBER, WILLIAM BARTOW, lawyer, of Walterboro, Colleton county, South Carolina, from 1898 to 1902 state senator from Colleton county, was born in that county on the 31st of December, 1861. His father, John W. Gruber, was a farmer, well remembered for his integrity and industry. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled on the Combahee river, about 1750.
Born in the country, he passed his boyhood upon a farm, knowing the best of health, and finding great delight even in his early boyhood in reading, especially in works of history and in the best fiction. He attended country schools until he was fifteen years of age. His father had not sufficient means to send him to college, and in his youth and early manhood he accustomed him- self to tasks of manual labor and was not ashamed to earn money by working with his hands.
He read law in the office of Howell and Munphry for two years, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. To his early love of history and fiction, he added, as he grew older, an acquired taste for natural science and philosophy ; and much of such success as he has attained in life he attributes to his fondness for reading along these lines.
He began the practice of law at Walterboro in 1882, having felt from his earliest recollection the wish and the determination to become a lawyer. His lifework has been chiefly in the practice of his profession.
In 1892 the people of Colleton county chose him to the state senate. One of the newspapers of the county, in commenting upon his nomination, said: "By the unanimous vote of the people he was nominated for the state senate from Colleton county. It is a great honor to be chosen senator by a majority vote; but when one enjoys the confidence of the people of his county to such an extent that the nomination is conferred by unanimous consent, it is like having greatness thrust upon him." Another paper says, "Mr. Gruber has won the respect, admiration and confidence of his fellow-citizens to such an extent that no one else either desired or dared to oppose him."
118
WILLIAM BARTOW GRUBER
Elected without opposition, he served to the satisfaction of his constituents for four years; he voluntarily retired at the expi- ration of that time, in order to give his undivided attention again to the practice of his chosen profession, the law.
In 1902, Mr. Gruber was a delegate to the Democratic National convention at Kansas City.
Mr. Gruber married on the 24th of November, 1885, Miss Carrie, daughter of Captain Robert Black, of Colleton county. They have had three children, two of whom are living in 1908.
Mr. Gruber is a Democrat and has never swerved in his alle- giance to the principles and the nominees of his party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He has always found in the study and practice of agriculture his favorite exercise and relaxation. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
To young Americans who would succeed in life, he commends "Honesty, industry and pluck. These never fail."
WILLIAM THOMAS HALL
H ALL, REVEREND WILLIAM THOMAS, D. D., LL. D., professor of didactic and polemic theology in the Presbyterian Theological seminary at Columbia, South Carolina, was born at Readville, Rockingham county, North Carolina, on the 5th of December, 1835. Descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors who settled in North Carolina about 1760, his father, Reverend James Davidson Hall, was a Presbyterian preacher and a pastor in the Thyatira church in Rowan county, and of the Goshen and New Hope churches in Gaston county, North Carolina, and a trustee of Davidson college. Reverend James Hall, D. D., one of his ancestors, was distinguished as a preacher and soldier, having raised and commanded a company of colonial patriots in the War of the Revolution. His mother was Mrs. Isabella (Scott) Hall.
Passing his early boyhood in the country, before he was thir- teen he had learned to do many kinds of work upon a farm. His father opened the way for him to attend school and college. A good part of his preparation for college was supervised by his father as teacher. He entered Davidson college, North Carolina, and completing the course was graduated in 1854.
Feeling himself called to the work of the Christian ministry, he entered Columbia seminary in 1855, and was graduated there- from in 1858.
His work as a minister of the Gospel began in the autumn of the same year as supply of the Presbyterian church at Lan- caster, South Carolina. In 1859 he removed to Rock Hill, South Carolina, becoming the pastor of the Presbyterian church at that place. From 1862 to 1872 he was pastor at Canton, Mississippi, and from 1872 to 1895 he was in charge of the First Presbyterian church at Lynchburg, Virginia. During the War between the States he served as chaplain in the Confederate States army.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.