The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30
the voluntary liquidation Of the bank

III 1901.
At the beginning of the late war
Mr.. Crayton closed out his business
and joined Orr's regiment Of Rifles, of
which he was appointed quartermaster.
This position he had to resign on ac-
count of his health. Later, he was
appointed by Jefferson Davis Confed-
crate States Depositary at Ghis place,
and handled for the government large
amounts of money and bonds.
In 1862 Mr.. Crayton was elected to
the Legislature, and reelected in
1864. In 1865 he went to Greenville,
S. c., to attend a call meeting OF the
Legislature, which meeting was pre-
vented by Stoneman raid.
He was reelected under Provisional
Government # South Carolina when
Orr was made governor, and served
two years. In 1878 he was elected to
the Senate, serving four years, and
was a representative of that body at
the Yorktown Centennial.
Mr.. Crayton was chairman OF the
first Board Of County Commissioners
provided for in the new constitution
adopted in 1868. One of the duties
of this Board was to divide the coun-
ty into townships, which division,
with the names they gave the town
ships, was as it stands to-day. Col.
J. w. Norris and Col. W. s. Pickens
were the other members of this Board.
The management of the affairs of the
county by them was able and highly
satisfactory, notably so with reference
to the county almshouse. Judge Orr
took occasion, while holding court at
Walhalia, to refer in complimentary
terms to this Board.
Mr.. Crayton's boyhood was spent
upon farm, and he then imbibed a
love for agriculture that has lasted
through life. And for many years he
has conducted model farm, and his
experiments with new methods, i'm
proved machinery, etc., have been OF
immense value to the farming inter-
ests Of our county. For many years
he owned herd of blouded cattle, the
Jerseys being his specially and his
"Generostee Stock Farm had rep
utation that went beyond the State.
Mr.. Crayton was the leading spirit
in organizing in 1868 the Anderson
Agricultural and Mechanical Society,
whose annual fairs are still remem-
bered by our people. 1t would be
hard to estimate the bene6 cial effects
of these annual gatherings and ex-
hibits. And it is to be regretted that
they have ceased.
Mr.. Crayton was President of their
Society as long as he would serve, and
his success in it's management doubt
less led to his being made President
of the State Agricultural and Mechani-
cal Society, which position he filled
for FIVE years with eminent ability.
He was also for many years member
of the State Board of Agriculture.
No greater material blessing than
what is popularity known as the Stock
Law has ever been bestowed on our
county, and it is conceded on all sides
that the credit of this belongs to Mr..
Crayton, and it was largely through
his influence in the Legislature after
wards that the law was extended over
the State.
Mr.. Crayton's public spirit led him
to take lively interest in the build
ing of the C. & G.. railroad, to the
capital stock of which he was liberal
subscriber.
He has been lifelong advocate Of
temperance, laboring in the cause
with such men as Judge Bolton
O'Neale, Judge Joseph N. WhitDer
and others, and has always been fav-
orable to any law that initiated against
the fearful evils resulting from the
whiskcy traffic. In 1885 the question
of prohibition was submitted to the
voters of the county. The friends of
prohibition called meeting of which
Mr.. Crayton was made chairman, and
in the memorable campaign that fol-
lowed he, together with the late Hon.
f. B. Murray, stumped the county.
And though prohibition was defeated,
it was through the negro votes, as a
majority of the whites voted for it.
Though nearly an octogenarian now,
Mr. Crayton S familiar face and active
step may be seen almost daily upon
our streets and if you neeo exercise,
take tramp with him over his farm,
and keep up with him if you can. He
has lost none of his interest in public
affairs. His memory, always good,