The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-25
GOVERNOR ELECT.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE
MAN FROM MARION.
1t Was Prepared bya Reformer Who
Knows Him Well and Shows
What Manner of Man
VIM. III fcllerbe ia.

Governor OF South Carolina, who will
certainly be elected, is taken from the
Low Country Citizen, Reform paper.
William Haselden Ellerbe, was born
in Marion county, 5. c., April Z,
1862. His father was William s. Ell
lerbe, native of South Carolina.
This first rf the Ellerbe family to come
to America were two brothers, natives
of England, who came to the United
States in about 1874 and located ON the
Great Pee Dec river, near Cheraw.
William IS. Ellerbe, was one of the
largest and most successful planters of
Marion county. He was married to
Sarah f., daughter OF Maj. James
Haselden, of Marion county, and to this
union IL children were born, 8 daugh-
ters and four sons. all of whom are
living. William S. Ellerbe devoted
himself exclusively to agricultural pur-
SUITE, declining all invitations to enter
public life. He was man universally
respected and esteemed for his sterling
worth and excellent traits of character.
William Fl. Ellcrbc was reared on his
fathers plantation and was prepared
for college by Mr.. l.. Is. Prince, n we'll
known educator, who had charge Of
Pine Hill academy. In 1880 Ee enter
cd Wofford college, where he attended
two sessions. He then entered Van
derbilt university at Nashville, Tenn,
where he remained but short time,
when his health failed and lie had to
return to his fathers plantation. He
at once won't to farming and is now q
successful planter. He helped to or
ganize the Reform party in his county
and State and in 1896 attended the first
farmers convention held in Columbia.
In 1890, without solicitation on his
part, he was nominated and elected
comptroller general, which place he
held for four years. He was the
youngest man ever elected to State
office in South Carolina. He was
candidate for governor in 1894, but
was defeated. But the open, manly
fight he made and the way he took his
defeat won for him the respect and
admiration of those who opposed him,
and today he is one of tho strongest
men in the State. While true Re
former, he is conservative in his views,
and enjoys the respect and confidence
of both factions of the Democratic
party. William H. Ellerbe was mar
ried in 1887, at the age of 25, to Miss
Henrietta j. Rodgers of Marlboro
county and to their union four sons
and ono daughter have been born.
From the above brief sketch it Will
be seen that Gen. Ellerbe came from
one of the pioneer families of South
Carolina, and for more than q century
on1 ho1f ha ,l
blemish has attached itself to the hon
ored name that he bears. The Ellerbe
family have ever been noted for their
answering integrity, their patriotism,
sound scnse and devotion to their
country and their people. His family
have ever been farmers, and when
William II. Ellc,be joined the Reform
movement in 1890, no simply followed
his early training and carried out those
principles that were bred in the bone
and inculcated in his heart But while
tilling the soil the Ellerbes did not
neglect their mental training, and
availed themselves of the best educa-
tional advantages the country afforded.
AS will be seen. Gen. William II. Ell.
lerbc Is not only practical and sue
u
gentleman.
General Ellctbc, while young man,
ofliciatel at tho birth of our Reform
party, and to his untiring work and
earnest efforts is largely due tho eman-
clpation OF the Pee Dee section from
the thraldom of ring rule. The farm
ers appreciated the noble work done
for their ceusc hy this brilliant young
statesman, and maze him Comptroller
General. And he was one of tho best
officers, too, that South Carolina ever
boasted. Coming fresh from the farm,
as he did, General Ellerbe at once
mastered the intricate business con-
nected with th~ important department
of our State government. He saw
that corporations paid their just share
of taxes, and that the burden of public
support was equally distributed.
But the crowni:g act of M-. FL
lerbe's distinguished career was the
graceful and patriotic manner in which
ho accepted the defeat when Hon.
John Gary Evans was nominated for
Governor over him. He did not sulk
in his tent and Gcnoupce tho Reform
government, rs some of our candidates
have done who were turned down, but
like the true patriot VIM. II. FL
lerbe has ever been and will ever re-
main, he came before the convention,
made n ringing speech, and then went
to work to pile up the majority for his
successful opponent. There was not
an Evans delegate in the convention
but left the hall n staunch friend and
ardent admircr OF General Ellerbc,
and with an inward determination to
reward his unscltish devotion to the
party and his high regard for the will
of the nrOnln. Mt tho first nnnnrtnnitu