Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-16

fight he made and the way he tool
his defeat won for him the respect anG
admiration of those who opposed him
and today he is one of the 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. VIM. H. Ellerbe was married
in 1887, at the age of 25, to Miss Hen
rietta Rogers, daughter of Mr.. Henry
J. Rogers of Marlboro county, and tc
their union four sons and one daugh
ter have been born.
From the above brief sketch it will
be seen that General. Ellerbe came
from one of the pioneer families o.
South Carolina, and for more than g
century and half not the slightest
blot or blemish has attached itself tc
the honored name that he bears. The
Ellerbe family have ever been noted
for their unswerving integrity, patriot.
ism, sound sense and devotion to their
country and their people. His family
have ever been farmers, and when
VIM. H. Ellerbe joined the Reform
movement in 1890, he 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 Ellerbe's did
not neglect their mental training, and
availed themselves Of the best educa-
tional advantages the country afford
ed. AS will be seen, General William
H. Ellerbe is not only practical and
successful farmer, but highly educa-
ted gentleman.
General Ellerbe, while a young man,
officiated at the birth of our Reform
party and to his untiring work and
earnest efforts is largely due the eman-
cipation of the Pee Dee section from
the thraldom of ring rule. The farm
ers 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
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 this important department
Of our state government. He saw
that corporations paid their just share
of taxes, and that the burden of pub
lie support was equally distributed.
But the crowning act of General Ell
lerbe's distinguished career was the
graceful and patriotic manner in which
he accepted defeat when Hon. John
Gary Evans was nominated for COVER
nor over him. He did not sulk in
his tent and denounce the Reform
movement, as some of our candidates
have done who were turned down, like
the true man and patriot that VIM. H.
Ellerbe has ever been, 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 the convention
but left the hall a staunch friend and
an ardent admirer of General Ellerbe,
and with an inward determination
to reward his unsel6sh 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 Cover
nor Evans not being candidate for
reelection, there was a spontaneous,
unsolicited uprising of the whole peo-
pie, without regard to faction, for Will
lam H. Ellerbe. Like Cincinnatus, he
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 nomina-
ted and elected by the largest majority
ever given candidate in South Caro-
lima under the circumstances. While
Reformer to the core, General Eller-
be has, by his superior business capac-
ity, his patriotism and recognized abil-
ity, won the respect and confidence Of
all classes and all factions of his peo-
pie. VIM. 81. Ellerbe is the one man
upon whom all South Carolinians could
unite, for they feel that in honoring
him they have also honored themselves,
they have honored their state, and set
a good example for their posterity to
follow in after years.
His friends confidently expect that
he will make wise, conservative gov
ernor of whom all classes and condi-
tions of men in the state will have just
cause to be proud.