The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01
DOCTORS Or LAWS,
PUBLIC MARK OF RESPECT.
ILLUsTRIoUs CITIZENS HoNoRED AT
HOME

nOul6.
The Trustees Of Ersklne College Co"'
fer their Highest Honor on Life
Long Friends Of that ,Institutfon.
The Trustees OF Erskine College 10 the past
have not been prodgal with their honors,
and at their recent meeting only Two degrees
were conferred.
In recognition OF the eminent ability, the
distinguished public services, the unim-
peachable private character, and lifelong
friendship OF TWO of Abbeville's most beloved
citizens they conferred the degree OF LII. D.
on Prof. J. N. Young, OF Due West, aud Judge
Samuel MCGOWAN, , of Abbeville.
These gentlemen are worthy OF the honors,
and the Trustees of Erskine College honored
themselves In honoring them.
| stitution for q lifetime, and at no time has
their fidelity to Its best interests been ques-
toned. But friendship alone does not MAKE
%oud be- Sf vaSe Would
with them but q dwarfed idea Of their real
Significance. They would be but little es-
teemed by the citizen and only slightly re.
To show with what care the Board Of Trus-
| tees distributes her honors, II would be only
necessary to say that in the history OF the
College the degree of Dostor OF Laws has been
Young and MCGOWAN. II will thus be seen
| that snch honors are rare, and they are never
| cOnI6rreQ GXC6pL IOr eminent puDllC b6Tf lCcbs
Another remarkable thing about the con.
ferring OF this degree by Erskine College Is
the fact, that 1t has been given TO well.known
citizens Of the county In which the College Is
the proverb that "a prophet Is not without
honor, save In his own country"
The long and faithful services OF these
persons to receive this mark or public es-
teem, and its expression by their neighbors is
grateful not only to the recipients Of this
honor, but to the friends OF each. Honors
being often con ferred upon persons living at
great distances by colleges which hear moth
Ing of the personal jealousies and know moth
Ing of the every day IN OF him whom they
uel McGowan have special reason 70 be proud
OF the fact that their illustrious public services
so far overshowed everything else. that the
estness Gasa and and with entire unaminty Of senti-
ment, conferred their honors upon their
nearest nelghbors.
| THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
In announcing the action OF the Board
o Trustees last Wednesday morning, before
| the beginning Of the College Commence
ment exercises, President Grier said:
The Board Of Trustees OF Erskine College at its
meeting yesterday conferred the degree IL. d. on
| two men who ore welknown and greatly honored
throughout this entire sectOn-One Uf them minis
tor OF the gospel, the other an eminent lawyer and
judge.
| | this community VIII heartily tnuOrSe the
Board In It's action comforting this degree on Prof.
N. Young and Judge Samuel NcGowan.
ouTBURsr OF APPLAUSE.
The announcement called forth spontan-
eous outburst OF applause from the audience.
and as far as we have heard, every express
sion has been one of approval and gratifica-
| tion It the action OF the Board In bestowing
deserved honors upon those who were worthy
to receive them, and who will wear them
gracefully.
DIR. YOUNG.
DR.. John N. Young is one OF the best known
IN the bs sons Re-
He was one OF the original founders Of the
College, more than fifty years ago, and help
ed to organize and lay the foundations for
our sister town, and whose existence has not
only reflected honor on Abbevllle county,
while exercising softening. educating and
has been great tower OF strength to the
Church, whose preachers and leading men,
bers have been educated within her halls.
College, the exis tencs OF denominational
colleges was an experiment Or. Young,
with others, led the way and established Er.
skine College, and thus IT was that the small
est and least known Of all the religious de-
nominations was the first 70 rear college for
the education of their youth, and for the
teaching and indoctrinating Of the peculiar
Church which has exercised wonderful In
f1uence for good wherever they have estab-
lshed churches or sent missionaries to preach
the gospel.
The first among the organizers he was the
last TO quit the service OF the institution,
which now occupies so prominent place In
the history OF education in South Carolina.
He held the chair OF Mathematics and AS
tronomy, which he resigned only some ten
When the College was endowed he was
~ a NrAn thn LNt,1N fnF16
and his remarkable good Judgment and fidel-
u ity In the management or the money gave
satisfaction, until be turned over the fnan-
cial management of the institution TO an
other. without having lost dollar by his own
DR.. Young has been always conservative
and kind In heart, while maintaining the
victions. During all the years through which
he has passed, he has ever preserved the even.
ness Of his temper, and has never failed TO
take philosophical view OF the changing
conditions. In no single instance has he lost
sight OF his conscience or lessened his desire
TO do the right under any and every clrcum-
stance.
Before the church and the world he stands
to-day, after eighty years OF sojourn with US,
an upright mana Christian without blame
and without reproach.
His worth and his character make him
worthy recipient OF Erskine's highest hon.
ors.
DIR. MCGOWAN.
DR.. Samuel McGowan. like his friend and
contemporary, DR.. John N. Young, possesses
the public confidence and respect to mark.
ed degree.
Though their lives and their labors have
been in different fields OF usefulness, yet
each has achieved great success and each
may now enjoy the frution OF life we'll
spent. while receiving the we'll earned honors
DIR. McGowan was born In Laurens county,
October 8. 1919, and consequently, is now Wen
advanced in his seventy second year: DE
WAS q student OF the Greenwood Academy,
Carolina College, receiving the second honor
OF his class. He was admitted TO the Bar In
1912, and located al Abbeville.
In the Mexican war he TOOK actiTe part lana
acquitted himself with distinction.
Returning TO Abbeyille after the war with
Mexico, he practiced law. In 1850 he was
elected 10 the Legislature, and continued TO
hold the place an'i ne ,sced Sen oons 9Lo sne Of tbe
18th s. e. Regiment. and was afterward pro-
NOTED TO Brlgadier General, In both OF which
positions he distinguished himself for all
| those qualities which reflect honor upon tne
soldier and the officer.
Since the war DR.. MCGOWAN has taken an
active Interest in all matters which per-
tanned to the public welfare, anu ne mas rs
the time. He was elected to the first Legisla.
ture under the Provisional Governor, ana
| was member Of the State Convention wnlcn
| adopted the ordinance or session, and on eV-
cry occasion bis conduct has had the endorse
ment OF the people.
In 1879 he was elected Associate Justice on
the Supreme Bench, and In that position, as
| In every other that he has held, he has come
up TO the full measure OF usefulness and has
never disappointed the people.
| Whether In scaling the wa lis OF Mexico or
In meeting the enemy on the battle fields or
Virginia, Dr. McGowan was always in the
forefront winning laurels for his own PROV,
while rejecting honor upon the land OF Ills