The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-18
JUDGE MCGOWAN.
Abbevilfe's Oldest and Best Beloved
Citizen Goes on n Journey.

AbbeviIie's Oldest and Best Beloved
Citizen Goes On Journey.
Judge MCGOWAN has lust returned from
visit 10 friends in Charleston. For more than
half century he has been conspicuous fig
ure In Abbevile. The Judge came to Able
Vile with nothing but ability, high Integrity
aud the determination to do his part In what
ever pertained to the welfare Of this people.
and and s1 be was IL awarded liberal share Of b1si.
ness among the ablest Bar of the State. He
possessed the respect and confidence OF the
people, and recognizing his ability they often
called upon him to serve them in important
When quite young he en- tered the Mexican
army, and did his whole duty there. On bis
bly,, and was successfully elected as a MEM
Der Of that body until the breaking out Of the
war. Wise and sagacious he advised his peo-
pie against the movement which was too
He entered the army as Colonel OF one Of
the South Carolina Regiments, and for ga,-
lantry on the field of danger was promoted to
the command OF a-Brigade. No man ever
received wounds from the shot Of the enemy;
from some OF which wounds he still suffers
In the loss Of ms estate Dy Inc
into knowledge Of real condition that con-
fronted this people. He applied his energies
TO the law, and soon regained O competency.
has held public office OF honor. He was
elected to Congress, but because Of his excel
lent war record, bis former foes refused 10 al.
low him 10 take his seat. -.
He was afterward for many years member
OF the General Assembly, and while serving
his country on that capacity some sixteen
years ago he &as elected Associate Justice of
the Supreme court, which place he filled un.
til August, 1894, when, full Of honors, he laid
down the trust which had been imposed upon
him. Since then he has retired from public
life, and has been at his home enjoying the
In whatever position Judge MCGOWAN has
assumed he has come up TO the requirements
of the highest excellence.
and public spirited. Like all men who are
careful in their business transactions. he is
strictly honest.
Like all men of kindly heart, he has done
many deeds OF kindness to his fellow-man,
and many men in Abbeville county will tes-
tily 10 the fact Of favors received at bis hands.
AS an independent, or as an original propo-
sition, he had an unerring Judgment Of cred
IL, and as such would never have made mis-
take In eXten ding credit, but because of his
kindness OF heart, his better nature has often
Of this fact. be has often lost money which
was lent on the prompting Of his heart, and
against the clearer and better judgment of his
head In scores OF instances he has lost mon
ey rather than oppress poor debtor.
AS counsellor he is conservative, wise and
safe. In political, executive or business mat
ters his judgment can always be relied upon.
AS friend be has been true aeto to all VINO
nder this division Of our remarks he would
come in as the best and most useful citizen
that we have had In our town for fifty years.
His high integrity, his Kindly heart and bis
that we have. g.. '.
AS lawyer he was always fair and honor.
able. Ever true TO the best interests Of his
clients, he sought no unfair advantage of his
adversary. He saught to maintain the digni-
ty OF the law, and depended upon the justice
OF his cause for victory. He never descended
to a trick r or took mean advantage.
With high conception Of the honorable
calling OF the law, and proud to be member
Of the highest OF all the professions, he was a
suitable person TO promote to the exalted po-
State Of South Carolina. On that Bench he
maintained the highest standards. His judg-
ments as TO property, Its right and equities,
were exceptionally fine, and his DEGREES were
rendered In simple, plain and forceful En-.
glish. without any attempt at flourish or use
Of flowers In rhetorical sound. The only crit
icism that we have ever made OF him Is, that
he carried the same kind heart on the Bench.
vate walks Of life. In State cases. where the
criminal appealed TO bis heart for mercy he
sometimes was merciful when the facts would
have justified severely. Mercy and kindness
always rules his actions.
AS q public spirited Citizen. he has been
Identified with everything that looked TO the
welfare OF the town. In the forties he gave
large per cent. Of his small estate to build the
Abbeville Branch railroad. In the building
Of the Georgia, Carolina and Northern Rail-
way he was leading spirit. and the most gen.
erous contributor.
To the Cumberland Gap road he gave freely
of his ready cash. On occasions he has head |
ed subscription lists to build a factory at Alb |
beville. When the oil mill was to BIZ built he |
was again at the head Of the list.
In works OF benevolence and charity he |
has been clearly ahead OF anybody.
IN the erection OF churches he has always
opened his purse, and gave freely.
Taking all these things into consideration |
Abbeville may not expect to have another
citizen as useful as he has been to his day and
10 his genen Grafton.
In his old age, he is spending the remainder
Of his years In retirement at his splendid |
home In Abbeville. Possessing large fortune |
and surrounded by devoted children, he has
reason to look hack with pride on a we'll
spent life. He has had all the honors which |
bis countrymen could confer. He has all the |
devotion that heart or soul wish, and he
should enjoy his remaining years, with the |
consciousness OF having done his whole duty
as having performed every duty OF life with
out censure or blame. Unlike majority of
the great men OF the past, and present, he has
preserved his moral Integrity.