The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-03-22
A LEAF'0F CAROLINA HISTORY, WITH A
MORAL.

EDITOR SPARTANBURG Ill HERALD Col
Joseph kershaw was one of two brothers
who caua from England about tho middle
Of the last century. In 1760 he laid off a
few town lots, on the banks Of beautiful
creek, which empties into Waterec River
near the ccntre of our State. lie called
his .intaIts >ftwn Camden in honor of
Lord CarISFh, whose conservative course
in the YsIshsh Parliament, had won the
confidence Of the colonists. About the
same time he started store at point now
Included in the town Of Cheraw, aud auoth-
er at CRANKY. He bore a prominent part in
the war of the Revolution, suffering long
and painful Imprisonment at the hands Of
the British. When peace returned, and
that portion of the State was divided into
|. Districts, the one including the beautiful
and historic town of Camden, was called
Kcrshaw. One of his necos married j os
cph Brevard Urom North Carolina,) who
in 1901 was elected one OF the Judges of
South Carolina. He held this office until
1915, when he resigned on account Of his
failing health. His Digest of our Statutes
and his recorded opinions are the proofs of
his ability and zeal. In May 1911 he
| signed at chambers the certificates of ad-
mission TO the bar, for two young lawyers
John fse{reR- o n call and George McDufiie.
| His colleagues then were Grimke, Bay,
toui:.!:, ::n Nett Net. and Colcock. His health re-
viving, he was afterwards member of
Congress, and died in 1871. i lew yearrs
after his death, descendant of Joseph Ker-
shaw received the honored combination of
names, JOSEPH BREVARD KERsuAw.-
And this is the name which will be signed
to the official records of the court to be
held in our town next week. The writer Of
these lines has no case to come before Judge
kershaw. But every citizen, however re-
moved ircm the hustle of the Court house,
has more than Il vague or theoretical inter-
est lii the announcement at any time, that
the scales Of justice will be held up by
hands that are not only steady, but pure
There may be no iudelicacy or impropricty
in stating few items to our people about
tire t3.y;1t;e d. who will soon hold MS first
court al.oug us, though he certainly needs
no introduction to any Carolina community
When boy he was the "oEly son of his
mother, and she was widow" lie was at
that time the only male representative of
his family name. lie was therefore, in a
sense, the son of the county, which built
largely its hopes upon him. After passing
through the schools of his native town, he
went to Cokesbury, where he finished his
education about 1910. When his class
mates went to College, he went to a Count
ing House i'll Charleston for a time. Re-
turning to Camden, he studied law. The
District sent him to the Legislature very
soon after he became eligible for the young
| lawycr, -had the full confidence Of those who
had Iwn him from boyhood. The Mex
ss"s n j lst1 st%pasy p"1 he rSii% rSa' o
Ksis - sent to the field. lie gave full
proof there of all the qualities, physical,
intellectual and moral, which make the
highest type of the citizen soldier, but he
gladly laid aside the sword, aud returned to
his professional duties. OF his achieve.
ments on a later field, by which the Lieu
tenant of the Mexican Campaign became
the Major General Of another war, we do
not propose to speak. 1t is matter Of pub
lie rejoicing, that such man, so well known
80 fully tried is seated on the Bench at this
time. His past history, and his earnest at.
tcntion to the current duties of his high
office. combine to make his presence and his
official acts, an educating influence in any
community
lie has Il son who is Pastor of the Epis,
copal Church at Abbcvillc. The Judge
himteiEis an active and consistent member
Of this communion.
We have heard wishes expressed that he
may be able to deliver public address to
our citizens on the subject Of Temperance
during the session of his court in our town.
We are entering on year which will try
our people in many respects. They need
all the restraints and helps which our lead
ing men can give them by precept and cx-
ample. 1t is said the Judge attributes to
speech, which he heard in carly life, by
the late William Melville, an Influence
which has greatly controlled his own views
on this important subject. We are sure he
will feel it duty and privilege to extend
this quickcning impulse to another genera
ton. May South Carolina have always ali
unfaling succession of men like these, who,
giving more dignity to office, than they re-
ceiye from it, use the highest positions as
means to benefit and bless their fellow men.
G..