The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-06-01
MlAURIN HAS BEEN APPOINTED SENATOR
HE WILL RUN FOR TIRE UNEX-
PIRED TERM.
"A Sketch OF His Brilliant Career His
Popularity as u Public Man.

"A Sketch of His Brilliant Career Hi
Popularity as II Public Man.
John Lnwndes McLaurin was born /,
Marlboro County, Msy 9th, 1860. Hi
fathers name was Philip b. McLaurin
lawyer of marked ability, who diet
at an early age, leaving the subject o
this sketch, Thomas and Margaret
Thomas died when about twelve years
old and Margaret is now living in MARI
boro County as Mrs. Grassland. Hi,
mother was daughter of II. G. Wealth
/ erly, who was prominent in public life
before the war. Whatever OF political
ability and taste t1at Mr.. McLaurir
! has is from tn side of the house. Mr.
MclIaurin's father was elected at the
very early age OF twenty-three to the
| general assembly. He was lust old
enough to be eligible. On this side OF
| the hou there was marked intellec.
| tuality and culture.
His father died from illncss contract.
"'l 'r" ~ Xpusuro IL thu ..Iiu; in 1864.
Ia looI his mother married Mr.. VIM.
,. Mowry, Of Charleston. Mr.. Mowry
was very wealthy gentleman, and the
family lived for several years in Marl-
0oro County aud then moved in 1873 to
Eng lewood, NJ. Mr.. Mowry has since
That time been very successful mem
per OF the cotton and stock exchange in
New York. Mr.. and Mrs. Mowry, and
hive hall brothers and sisters are now
living at that place. All MIR. McLaurin's
half brothers are in business in New
York city.
In those days the school system of
South Carolina was defective and jon
nie and Tommle" were sent to Bethel
military academy near Warrentou, Va.
Tommy died while there and John, the
enator OF today, was then taken to
Englewood and sent to school there un.
TIL he was 10 years OF age. He was
then sent to Swarthmore college near
Philadt lphia. A Quaker school didn't
suit his ardent South Carolina temper
aLneut and after two years. Colonel
Weatherly, his grandfather, concluded
that military school and discipline
rlan like Col. John L. Thomas were
needed to properly train and hold in
check the promising young Caroinian.
IL remained under Colonel Thomas ia
his school at Charlotte, N. c., until he
graduated in 1880 He then went to the
Universi ty of Virginia and took the
law coul se, and in 1882 went to Ben
nettsville and began the practice of law.
he hung out his shingle. Soon an
opportunity came along In the shape of
cases brought against 32 road hands
known since as the Hebron road cases.
1t was kind Of feud in the county.
Inc prosecution employed ali the lead
Ing attorneys in the county, including
the present assistant attorney general
OF south Carolina, ex-Judge Tow nsend.
Mr.. McLaurjn was alone for the de-
Tense, and many had advised the ac-
cused to plead guilty. After five days
OF legal fighting, Nj. Nj Laurin VOL ia
every case by appeals TO the jury, the
law and evidence and prejudice of the
people being against him. Judge Town
eend was attracted to the bright Young
lawyer and offered to take him into
partnsrship. This copartnership was
formed in 1883 and continued until MIR.
McLaurin's election to Congress, the
hrm being recognized as one OF the
strongest in that section of the State.
On the 19th of February, 1883, Mr..
McLaurin married Miss Nora Breeden,
OF B B,nnettsville, rhe daughter OF Mr..
L. j. Breeden, and niece of his law
pa' taer, Judge Townsend. They have
six children, four girls and two BOYS.
Inc marriage has been u most happy
and congenial one, and Mr.. McLaurin
attributes his success in law and poll
tics TO the influence OF his life partner.
His friends are told that he has never
WIN vi Oh ILL pol uiuU sup III Ills lllC
without consulting his wife, and he has
even discussed his law cases with her
In 1880 ne was elected to the Legisla-
ture. In very few days Mr.. McLaurin
made speech that developed the fact
that h was one of the coming factors
In South Carolina politics. At the
second term OF the Legislature At
torney General Pope was elected asso-
ctate justice of the Supreme Court and
Gary, Wilson, Townsend and McLau-
rim were candidates for attorney gen
eral to succeed Pope. McLaurin had
an easy victory. He plunged at once
into the sea of litigation. His record
ss attorney general was good.
During the campaign of 1892, tho
main fight upon Tillman was made by
fluent and forcible speaker. There
were personal differences between You
mans and Tillman, and the latter re-
fused to debate or recognize him in the
campaign at all (which threw the fight,
80 Tar as 4Oumans was concerned, upon
McLaurin. Rarely has such debate
ever taken place in any campaign in
this State. 1t was of such cb aracter
as to excite the keenest public interest,
yet tho two men came out OF it the best
OF friend, personally. The result crea-
TED such wave OF public favor for Mr..
McLaurin that when Mr.. Stack house
died in June, 1892. nothing could pre-
vent the people Of Mr.. McLaurin's dis
trict from electing MIN To Congress in
November following.
He was seated when the ffty-second
Cbngress convened In 1892, In the month
OF Dece ember. Mr.. McLaurin's irst ut.
terances upon the fllor drew great atten-
tion to him all over the country. 1t was
his remarkable eulogy on his deceased
predecessor. He came to Congress about
the time that Galley, Bryan, Sibley
and others of equal note made their en-
trance upon the Congressional stage,
and Immediately began to attract at
tention to himself as debater. His
speeches there have attracted national
attention.
MLAURlN ACOEP rs THE HONOR.
He is Willing to Trust the PeOpIe and