The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-05-06
GEN. William ". HARLLEE
He Dies Peacefully. as Full Of Hon
ors as of Years.
A SHORT SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Commanded Cardinals Troops In the
Florida War--Elected Lieutenant
Governor In 1850.


Governor In 1850.
A special to the Columbia State from
Florence, of April 80, says Gen. VIII
liam W. Harllee died at half past
seven o'clock tonight, at the ripe old
age of s4 years. His health had not
not been good for some time, but for
only week had he been confined to his
bed. He sank rapidly during the day,
! and the end was painless. ~E
Gen. Harllee was born in Marion
county in 1912; his father, Thomas
Harllee, being native of Virginia and
his mother, Elizabeth (Stewart) Harllee,
South Carolinian. Thomas Harllee,
his father, who came to South Carolina
in 1890, was prominent planter and
tie Rock" which he purchased soon
after settling in South Carolina. He
was member Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives for four years and of the
Senate for like period. he was also
a surveyor, surveying the counties OF
Marion and Horny under contract with
the State, being assisted in the work
by his eldest son, John.
Wm. w. Harllee, the youngest of six
children, began the study of law in 1881,
under the tutelage of Geo. w. Dargan,
ESQ.,, afterwards chancellor. Being
admitted to the bar in 1893, he began
the practice Of bis profession at Marion,
@. H. where he continued to practice
until 1889, when he move to Florence,
where he has bean engaged in active
practice since.
General Harlles has taken pfomi-
nent part in the affairs of his native
State. In 1886 he was returned by
Marion county to the House Of Repre-
sentatives, where he served two years.
In 1897 he was appointed major OF
South Carolina troops called for by the
general government for the Seminole
war in Florida, where he served with
his command for three months, until
elected colonel of the thirty-second
1S41 he was elected brigadier general of
the eighth brigade, and in 1845 became
major general of the fourth division of
South Carolina militia.
In 1S47 he returned to political life
and was returned to tho Legislature,
where he was instrumental in getting
through the bill for the charter Of the
Wilmington and Manchester, now the :
Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta
railroad, and in the following year was
elected president Of that road, and re-
tanned the position until 1885, when he
reigned on account of failing health,
although the directors offered to double
his salary if he would continue in
charge. ~
AS compliment to him the town,
now city, Of Florence was named after
his daughter, and the name has been
extended to the county in which it is
located.
In 1860 he was elected lieutenant
governor of the State, and was dele,
gate to the convention OF secession,
serving as q member of the military
committee and of the executive COM
mittee.
During the same year he raised
brigade for the Confederate service,
which was called the Pee Dee Legion,
and received o commission as brigadier
general from the governor. When his
arrangements were being made for the
field, however, the convention again
met, and appointed him member Of :
the executive council and also placed
him at the head OF the financial depart
ment of the State, in which capacity he {
handled millions of dollars for the State
before the close Of the war. -
When the war closed he returned to
the practice Of his profession, and In !.
1876 presided over the convention that
nominated Gen. Wade Hampton. In
1880 he was again elected to the State
Senate and served four years as presi-
dent pro-tempors. When his term ex-
pired he refused TO stand for re-elec-
ton.
In 1890 General Hsrllee presided oyer
the convention which nominated Judge !
Haskell. ~
General Harllee was married in 1870
to Miss Martha 8. Shackleford OF
Charleston. OF the six children born
to this union, cne-Edward B. Harllee-
was until 1876 editor of the New Or
leans Picayune, dying from overwork q
in that city at that time. He was Q
man of great promise and brilliancy.
As lawyer General Harllee stood 4
very high, his election to the presi- J
denoy Of the State Bar association in
1886 being a tribute to his standing.
As hospitable Southern gentleman Of
the old-time school, he was princely.
Being one of the largest planters in the
State, he. was able to lavish the most i
generous hospitality upon all his
friends.