The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-09-10
NEXT GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
a SHORT SKETCH or THE MAN
FROM MARION.

General .lItlcrbc Has Devoted His
Best Energies TO the Furthcrancc
OF tho Cause OF tho pcOpIc--Hc
Will Make Safe, Conservative
! Governor.
Low Country Citizen.
WIN. Hascldcn Ellcrbc was born in
Marion County, $. c.. April :, 1862.
His father was William S. Elicrbc, a
native Of South Carolina. The first OF
the Eilcrbc family to como to America
were Two brothers, natives Of England,
| who came to the United States in about
,3l, and located on the Great Pee Dee
river, nca" Chcraw. William S. HI
lcrbc was ono Of tho largest and most
successful planters OF Marion County.
| lie was married to Sarah f., daughter
| Ol Major James Hascldcn. of Marion
County, and to this union thirteen chill |
drcn were born, nine daughters and
Tour sons, all OF whom arc living VIM. |
, ). Ellcrbc devoted himself exclusively
TO agricultural pursuits, declining all
Invitations to enter public life. He
was man universally respected and
esteemed for his sterling worth and
| excellent traits Of character. William
II. Ellcrbc was reared on his fathers
plantation, and was prepared for col
| logo by MIR. J.. Is. Prince, a we'll known
educator, who had charge OF Pine Hill
Academy. In 1850 he entered Wotrord
College, where he attended two scs-
sions. He then entered Vanderbilt
University, at Nashville, Tenn, where
ne remained but short time, when his
health failed and he had to return to
his fathers plantation. Ho at once
Il successful planter. He helped to
organize the Reform party in his
county and State in 1886: attended the
first farmers convention held in Co
lumba. In 1890, without solicitation
on his part, was nominated and elected
Comptroller General, which place he
held Tor four years. Was the young
est man ever elected to State olicc
in South Carolina. He was Il cundi-
date for Governor in 1891, but VIZ. de.
foatcd. But tho open, manly fight he
mado and the way he took his defeat
won Tor him the respect and udmira-
tion OF those who opposed him, and
today he is one Of the strongest lucn in
The State. While q true Reformcr, he
Is conservative in his views, and cnjuys
the respect and confidence Of both fac
lions OF the Democratic party. Wm
II. Ellnrbc WAS married in 1897, ut the
ago OF twenty-five, to Miss Henrietta
liogers, daughter Of Mr.. Henry J.
ltogcrs, OF Marlboro County, and TO
their union four sons and one daughter
have been born.
k'rOm tho above brief sketch il will
bc scon that General Ellcrbc came from
ono OF tho pioneer families OF South
Carolina, and for more than century
, and a half not the slightest blot O,
bIemish has attached itself to the
u, honored namc that he bears. The El.
! lerbc family have ever been noted for
their answering integrity, patriotism,
, sound sense and devotion to tbcir
country and thoir people. His family
havo over been farmers, and when
VIM. Il. Ellcrbe joined the Reform
movement in 1890, he simply followed
his early training and carried out those
principles that were bred in tho bone
and lnculcatcd in his heart But while
tillins the soil tho Ellcrbo's did not
neglect their mental training, and
avnlcd themselves OF the best cduca-
| tlonal advantages the country afforded.
| AS will be seen, Cen. William II. e.
! lcrbc Is not only Il pracLiCa! and sue
rcssfui farmer, bat IL highly educated
gentleman.
| General Ei'rrbc. whilc II young man,
| otliciht"d at the birth Of our R, ,furm
party, and to his untiring work and
earnest Efforts Is largely d lc the crnnn-
|
the thraldom OF ring rule. The farm
crs appreciated the noble work done
for their cause by this brilliant young
statesman, and made him Comptroller
General. And he WAS one Of the best
OthcGrS, too, that South Carolina ever
boastcd. Coming fresh from the farm,
rs he did, General Ellerbc at once mas
tered the intricate business connected
with this important department OF our
State government. He saw that cor
poratlons paid their just share Of taxes,
and that the burden Of public support
was equally distri rihutcd
But the crOwning act of General FL
lcrbc's distinguished career was the
graceful and patriotic manner in which
he accepted defeat when Hon. John
Gary Evans was nominated for Gov
crnOr over him. He did not sulk in
his tent and dcnOuncc the Reform
movement, as some OF our candidates
| nave done who were turned down, like
the true man and patriot that VIM. II.
Eilcrbc has ever boon, and will ever
remain, he came before the convention,
made ringing speech, and then went
TO work to pile up the majority for his
successful opponent. There was not
an Evans delegate in tho convention
but left the hall IL staupch friend and
"'' Si 'Sho tbIIillCI "! bCnCrul EIlDrDe
and with an in inward determination
TO reward his unsclfish devotion to the
party and his high regard for the will
OF the people, at the first opportunity
that presented itself
That opportunity came, and Governor
Evans not being q candidate for re-
, election, there was q spontaneous, un
solicited uprisirg Of the whole people,
without regard TO faction, for William
II. Ellcrbc. Like Cincinnatus ho was
taken from the plow; but not to lead
his people in hostile array against an
enemy but TO accept at their hands
the highest Office within the gift of our
Democratic voters. He was nominated !
and will be elected by the largest ma I
jority over given q candidate in South |
Carolina under the circumstances.
While Reformcr to tho core, General
Illerbc has, by his superior business
capacity, his patriotism and recognized |
ability, won the respect and confidence
OF all classes and all factions OF his |
people. VIM. Fl. Ellcrbc is the one
man upon whom all South Curolinians
could unite, for they feel that in nonor
| N llnI l,..,. 90,