The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-07
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE E. B. GARY.
He Serves the State with Dignity and
Ability, and to the Satisfaction of
the Bar-A Sketch OF His Lineage
and His Personal Career.
Written for The Anderson Journal,

Written for The Anderson Journal.
1t is impossible, in writing mere sketch,
to narrate even the important events in the
life of one who has played so important q
part on the stage Of action as Associate Jus.
lice Eugene Blackburn Gary, and We shall
only attem pt TO give an outline Of his career
On the end OF August, 1854. he was born at
COX kesbury, South Carolina, and after attend
ing the schools at that place, until 1871, en-
tered the South Carolina University, and that
year received his diploma in the classical
branches.
At the age of eighteen he commenced the
study Of law under his uncle, Gen. NJ. w.
Gary. OF Edgefeld. South Carolina, and was
admitted TO the practice few weeks after at
year at Hodges. South Carolina, after gradual
ing at the South Carolina University.
Shortly after being admitted to the bar Mr..
Gary located at A,bbeyiIle .,bt $; G.. where he
AS lawyer he ranked among the most pro.
minent In his profession in South Carolina,
and was engaged In great many Important.
principles Of law have been settled by the
Supreme Court of the State. In 1881, when
Gen. Carlos ]. Stolbrand contested the cleo.
ton Of Hon. D: Wyatt Aiken to Congress, Mr..
whose favor, Congress declared the election.
In Masonry the subject Of this sketch was
a bright and conspicuous figure, and the ar
timoni ials OF his handiwork.
In 1852. 1881, 1890 and 1892 he was elected
County Chairman OF the Democratic party In
Abbeville county-his election being unani-s
In 1882 and 1883 he was elected member of
the State Democratic executive com mittee.
which he most highly appreciated was when
the rules of the county convention were sus-
pended, and he was not only elected dele
gate TO the State Democratic convention but
clined nomination and after the ballots had
been cast but not counted. Mr.. Gary served
one term In the Legislature and there gained
such reputation that In the next campaign
which Office he was elected a second time.
1t was while serving his second term as
Lieutenant Governor that he WAS elected As
sociate Justice Of the Supreme Court In
which high Office he Is now serving with dig
nifty, ability, and TO the satisfaction Of the
bar. The journals of the Senate contain re-
attesting the high esteem in which Lieuten.
ant Governor Gary was regarded by that body
on account of his prompt. able and impartial
rulings as It's presiding e officer each time when
Mr.. Justice Gary married Miss Eliza Tusten,
a direct descendant from Hon. Benjamin Tus.
ten, member Of the first Colonial Congress of
New York, and whose son, Benjamin Tusten,
was a colonel during the Revolutionary war.
Col. Benjamin Tusten was killed while at the
head Of his regiment fighting for American
memorated by magnificent monument erect
ed by the public at Goshen, N. Y.
The mother Of Mr.. Justice Gary, who is now
living, was Miss Mary Caroline Blackburn.
lineal descendant from William Blackburn, :,
an officer who was killed at Kings Mountain
during the Revolution, while bravely fighting
for American independence -
His father was DR.. F. F. Gary, who was an
eminent physician and held many positions
OF power and trust during bis lifetime. On
bis fathers sde Mr.. Justice Gary is a lineal
descendant from John Witherspoon, men.
TONED in several Of our historical sketches,
who was born near Glasgow, Scotland, In 1910,
and on account Of the prosecutions suffered
there, during the time Of the Stuarts moved
to Ireland and from there to Williamsburg
county in 1884, John Witherspoon was the
grandson OF Mrs. Lucy Welch, the grand
daughter of John Knox the Great Reformer,
who, we are informed, married lineal des-
cendant Of Robert the Bruce, Of Scotland.
Hon. Ernest Gary, Judge OF the 5th circuit,
and Hon. Frank B. Gary, Speaker of the
House Of Representatives, are his only broth.
ers, and Mrs. James NJ. Eason, of Charleston,
is their only sister.
The high esteem in which the decisions Of
our Supreme Coart are held, even outside the
State, is due in great measure to the :analyti-
cal and judicial caste Of mind of the subject
Of this sketch, who is now in the zenith OF
manhood and there is every assurance that
he will add to bis already great reputation as
a profound Judge. Oconee.