The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-12-11
CAPT. S. B.
PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA FARNERS, sTATE ALLIANCE

Amid all the discouragments and misfortunes which have envroned the
farmer and which have Sc greatly depressed agriculture in the South within
the past two decades, there have been some spirits that have met it all
nobly, bravely and even hopefully. Prominent among these has ever been
of our people from extreme of the State to the other. The worthy and
honored resident Oh the largest organization Oh afne ever no" III "e
history of the State, and in which are to be numbered thousands of his warm
est friends, The PROGRESSIVE FARMER conceives that it could perform 40 more
pleasing or acceptable service to them than to place in their hands a brief
sketch of their noble leader and friend.
He graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1860, in the 2st year
of his age, and in April 1861, entered the service as a private in the First
Regiment North Carolina Troops. By his devotion to duty, he vas promoted
to a ieutenancy, to a captancy, and at the close of the war he ws found at
his post acting as Inspector General of that splendid body Hokes Division.
The Southern cross, which he had followed Sc faithfully and so bravely was
furled, and he at n addressed himself to the no less arduous and trying
task of rebuilding the waste places by returning to the farm. By discreet
management, industrious and intelligent application, he vas soon recognized
as one of the leading farmers of his county. His fine stock, his welappointed
farm and his beautiful and comfortable home, all attest his fine taste, his
sound judgment, his faithful attention and intelligent management.
Eleven years ago he ws elected Master Of the State Grange and became a
member of the Board of Agriculture where his fine judgment and practical
his county in the Senate branch Of ur General Assembly for three terms, and
all of which he ws the recognized leader on all questions relating to the
industrial development of the State. Always at his post Of duty watchful
vigiant, conservative and cearheaded, his record as a public servant, shows
that he possesses in on eminent degree those high qualities of head and heart
fit him for positions of trust and responsibility. 1t shows also that he is
progressive, bold and fearless in the discharge of his duty, without regard to
his personal popularity. So marked we're these traits Of character, and so
wise his course as a representative of the great agricultural interests of the
nomination for Governor before the Democratic Convention held in this city
in June last.
He has been again called to act al a member of the Board of Agriculture
a strong endorsement of his course and of his valuable services when he for.
mery acted in that capacity:
At the organization of the State Alliance In October, 1887, and a leader
vas to be selected to perform the difficult and responsible work of organizing
the State, all minds nvountarly turned to hm as the man, and he vas chosen
by a unanimous vote al President So well and satisfactorily did he fulfill
the duties of that high Office, that at the annual session of that body in August
last when it had grown to 40, 900 members, he was again elected unanimously.
Whether Is a soldier, Drawing the hardships and pems of war; O. as a cL
zenfarmer, elevatng and honoring that noble calling by his devotion and
success, or as a public servant of the people ain the halls of Legislation, faithful
fearless and wise or as the head Of the two great organizations of farmers in
his State he has illustrated those virtues which adorn and ennoble character
and wins the esteem and confidence of men, and at all times and in all places
has proven himself in every way worthy that high regard in which he is so
justly held by the good people of grand old Meckenburg, and of the tens of
thousands of good and true men all over his native State