Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-07-10
< THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1879.
Biographical Sketfh.
JAMES M. IVY.

can civil war, a new era dawned upon the
Southern States. Old landmarks were oblit
Grated old systems, industrial as we'll as
social, under the infuences-the changes
wrought in the government itself, were neces
sarly replaced by new methods. The loss Of
property, as well as inexperience, rendered the
situation in which our people were placed
extremely complicated. But these great
changes-this complete revolution in the en-
tire Southern social fabric-which our people
then regarded as curse overhowing their cup
of woe, prove now to have been blessing
Hope supplanted despair; energy took the
? place of inexperience devotion to the Gland
we love" encouraged; while the enterprising
spirit of noble people sought to build up the
waste places and :recover their lost for
tunes.
The results of all these changes are now
everywhere to be observed. Unimportant
stations, which before the war, claimed
but single store, have rapidly assumed the
proportions of towns and villages, with public
and private buildings, public officers, schools
churches, etc., bearing the impress of pro-
gressive spirit-indomtable perseverance,
advancing civilization and enlightenment.
The small stores at these stations, which once
bartered for few bales of cotton during the
season, now purchase their thousands OF bales
and ship direct to all the principal markets OF
America.
Among the embryo villages which have
arisen, Uranus-like, from the earth, armed
and equipped to enter the lists and contend
honorably for the trade of the up.country OF
South Carolina, is the little town of Rock Hill ;
and foremost among those enterprising spirits
who have zealously labored and contributed
to its growth during the past thirteen years,
is JAMES Morrow Ivy, the subject OF this
sketch, which is intended as simple and
modest compliment, not only to him, but also
to the individuals composing the public
spirited, enterprising community in which ne
resides.
Identified as he is with the history of Rock
Hill, especially that which has given it prom
inence in the markets of the State, a sketch of
his life will, we feel, not only be deserving
compliment to him, but will prove interesting
to the reading public in connection with the
growth and development of one Of the most
thriving little towns in the State.
James M Ivy was born on the 9th day OF
December, 1889, in Lancaster county, s. o.,
and is a son of Rev. Adam Ivy, who is
we'll known in religious circles, and is high
ly esteemed and respected citizen Of that
county. His ancestors were directly from
LVirginia, and remotely from England.
4 He began his studies in school at Rock
Hill, successively under w. H. Thomasson,
kCol. J. M. White and Gen. j. A. Aston and
Vwhen Gen. Alston was called to take charge
of old Mount Zion Institute, at Winnsboro, in
the year 1858, he followed him there, where
he remained one session, and then entered the
school of John R. Shurley, at Ebenezer: At
! this school he completed his preparatory
course for the South Carolina College, which
Rinstitution he entered in the year 1859. Here
4 he pursued his collegiate studies during the
eventful period of 1860, and was present in
Columbia, an eyewitness, to all those initiate
nv steps-the formation of the "minute-men'
organization the exciting professions and
wild demonstrations, the outbreak OF public
feeling at that critical time; and the passage
of the ordinance of secession, which led to the
"war between the States"
The Spring Of 1861 opened. War was de-
clared The attack.on Fort Sumter was con-
ceived, and the South Carolina College COM
pany composed of all the students, and COM
manded by Capt. John Gary, was ordered to
Charleston to report to General Beauregard.
]. M. Ivy accompanied the College company,
in the capacity of sergeant, and was an eye
witness to the inception of hostilities-that
great historical event, the bombardment OF
Fcrt Sumter-on the 18th, 18th and 18th OF
April, 1861.
Some weeks subsequent to the surrender OF
the fort by Maj. Anderson to the South Car.
olina troops the College company was ordered
hack to Columbia, and the old College bell
was again heard, pealing its resonant calls to
recitation.
But the subject of this sketch felt that duty
to his country called him in another field OF
action, and accompanied by two young friends,
he forthwith proceeded home and made hasty
preparations to enter upon active service at
the seat of war in Virginia, where the three
joined the Washington Light Infantry, Of
Charleston, under command of Capt. James
Conner, one Of the companies of the famous
Hampton Legion.
He passed unscatbed through the first bat
tie of Manassas, on the ver.memorable 21 st
of July, 1861, although several times struck
by spent balls; and was in that desperate
charge on Ricketts, Battery, where the Hamp'
ton Legion suffered so severely.
He remained in the Army of Northern
Virginia during the fall and winter Of 1861
and in the spring of 1862, was transferred,
with his command, to the Peninsula, where,
in the battle of Seven Pines, On the 31st day
of May, 1862, he was severely wounded in the
left shoulder by Mimic ball, which he still
carries, and from the effects of which he has
never fully recovered the use and strength Of
the arm.
In consequence Of his severe wound, he re-
mained in hospital at Richmond until about
the middle of July, when he was honorably
discharged from the Confederate service, and
returned from the theatre of war, a disabled