The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-06-14
for college by Mr.. L. B. Prince, vel

Wofford college, at Spartanburg, S. e.,
which he attended two sessions. He
then entered Vanderbilt University, at
Nashville, Tenn, where he remained
until his health failed, and his physi-
clans advised him to return home to his
fathers plantation, recommending a
life Of active outdoor exercise. His
father placed him in charge Of one Of his
large plantations, where he worked for
a while, but subsequently bought one
of his own. In 1887 he and his younger
brother, the Hon. J. Edwin Ellerbe--
graduate of Wofford college, member OF
the legislature, and also member Of
the South Carolina Constitutional Con-
vention began merchandising on
their plantation, where they ran a sue
cessful business until 1889, when W. H.
EIlerbe sold out his interest to his
brother and became member of the
firm Of Holiday, Ellerbe & Co., where
he continued until November, 1890.
During his business career he also con-
Quoted his plantation-each year pur-
chasing additional land-and was uni
formly successful. He is now one OF
the largest landowners in the eastern
part OF our State, owning part of his
fathers magnificent plantations, with
the additional ones purchased.
GOVERNOR ELLERBE A HOME LOVER.
VIM H. Ellerbe was married in June
1887, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of
Henry S. Rogers of Marlboro, S. G. Of
this uniop FIVE sons and one daughter
have been born. He is member of
the Methodist church. His family life
is one of the happicss, he is devoted to
his home, he loves and cherishes all
within it, and is loved by them with
strong affection. His ideas Of manhood
are exalted, but he does not except him
self, and at all times tried to live up to
his ideal Every one knows him as a
brave and honest man. Every position
of responsibility to which he has been
called has been filled with ability and
distinction.
At the beginning of the reform move
ment in 1886 VIM. H, Ellerbe allied
himself with it, and in 1887 be Joined
the Alliance, but was suspended from
membership during the same year when
he engaged IN merchandise. In 1890
he was nominated, without solicitation
for the position Of comptroller general
Of the State, and was elected without
a. active canvass. He is the youngest
man eyer elected to State Office in
South Carolina. He took conserVa-
tive position during the campaign, and
was voted for by both factions. His
administration of the Office Of comp
troller general was vigorous, able and
entirely satisfactory, being above that
Of older officials. This Office was filed
by him without fear or favor. His
only desire was to do his duty. In 1894
he was candidate for governor-de-
feated he bowed gracefully to the will
Of the people, withdrew from the busy
whirl Of political life, and retired to
the seclusion of his farm, where he re-
maired quiet and resigned, neither
seeking political favor nor troubling
with the formation of political rings.
In the same year there was an effort
made by some Of our people to recon
cile factional differences and to inspire
feeling of peace and unity. Follow
ing this was another effort in 1895 on
the part of prominent reformers and
conservatives to unite the whole people
and elect representative men to the
constitutional convention. As a result
Of these pacific efforts feeling Of
peace and unity prevailed in the State
and in the constitutional convention.
Without this feeling, and its consequent
concert of action, it is doubtful whether
the constitutional convention eyer
would have been called, and when it
assembled, whether the suffrage, liquor
and other important questions ever
could have been so wise and success
fully settled. Besides, the whole peo-
pie, without regard to faction, were
represented in the convention, and all
of them are irrevocably committed to
every provision of thenew constitution,
many of which secure the many achiey
! ments of the reform party. In 1896
this was the political status in the
State. As Governor Ellerbe favored a
liberal policy he was nominated for
governor, carrying every county in the
State, except one-the home county of
one of his competitors. 1t was known
that he had been azealous reformer but
that he felt the time had come when
factional lines were unnecessary, and
that the strife and bitterness which
characterized politics should be modif
ed. 1t was supposed that he could
represent both factions and could ad-
minister the State government in the
interest a1d to the advantage Of the
whole people. In his canvass he pro-
claimed his determination to know no
faction, and, if elected to rule the whole
people. At the election, he was chosen
by large majority of the voters which
demonstrated that the people, irrespec-
tive of past factional differences, lad
supported him.
After his inauguration he determined
to put his pledge into action and to
bring the whole people Of the State in
accord and political afiliation. No one
can form any adequate conception OF
the difficulties and embarrassment which
surrounded him. His position was
trying one, beseiged by Office seekers,
confronted by new conditions growing
out of new constitutional provisions,
continually thwarted and painfully an
uoyed in his efforts to aid in the exc
cution of the dispensary law; being
called upon to fill an unprecedentedly
large number of vacancies in important
offices, and having the responsibility
cast upon him by the war Of appointing
military officers and organizing regi-
ments-these, and others, are the Off
cial cares ard difficulties with which he