Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-04-30
A VOICE FROM OLD PlCKENs.
"reminiscences Of The Glorious Past-Men Of
Prominence In Old Pickens District

Old Pickens, April 26.-Editors
Courier Fearing the length of my
last communication might consign it
to the waste basket, l omitted to
mention in my "reminiscences of Old
Pickens several prominent families,
who, though not all of them resided
in the village, engaged in business
there, worahipped in the old church
and sent their children to school
there.
Nathan Boone, for long time the
only doctor in the place, (but not a
graduate of any medical school,) was
among the first Commissioners in
Equity for Pickens District, which
Office in the last years was held by
Col. Robt. A. Thompson.
James Doyle, if not the first She
riff, was among the first. He was
the brother of our lamented DR.. o..
M. Doyle, and uncle of o. Ramsay
Doyle, the efficient operator at
Seneca, and of the two promising
young physicians, w. r. and E.
Clay Doyle, of the same place, the
latter of whom is prominently spoken
of as candidate for the next House
of Representatives.
Samuel Reid, another one of the
early Sheriffs, is remembered as a
large planter, most kindly neigh
Dor and as the father of Mrs. w. Q.
Keith, Mrs. Isabella Lee, Mrs. Sallie
Shelor and Capt. James II. Reid,
who distinguished himself in the war
between the States and carries upon
his person the evidence of his bravery {;
and George II. Reid, prosperous
merchant and planter, of Chappells.
Col. Miles M. Norton had an lice
and did business there until he vol
unteered in defense of his country
and fell mortally wounded at the
head of his regiment in the Second
Battle of Manassas. His body awaits
the resurrection morn underneath
the blood-stained soil of Virginia.
L. G. Craig and w. N. Craig both
served as Sheriff of Pickens District.
The former was killed in battle and
the latter died in Walhalla,. having
located there after his election as
Sheriff of Oconee county.
A. r. Craig and William Craig
both made gallant soldiers, are still
living and are engaged in farming in
Pickens county. William is the
father of your merchant, Mr.. John f.
Craig, and L. G. Craig, of Seneca,
and @. L. Craig, Superintendent of
Education of Oconee county.
Col. Lemuel Thomas, who died
near Richland a few years ago, was
the last Sheriff of the old District
and was esteemed by all who knew
him.
VIM. Keith, Sr., was Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas and General
Sessions for twenty-eig consecu.
tive years. He was succeeded by
James E. Hagood, who held the
Office until the division of the Dis
trict. He is still living, has been
for many years Clerk Of the District
Court of the United States for South
Carolina, and has number of cons
prominent in business and profess
sional life.
Living near was Alexander Ram
say, an extensive and prosperous
farmer, the father of Capt. Andrew
and William Ramsay, of Toccoa,
Ga; Samuel, of Texas; Reid, of
Alabama; Julius, of Tugaloo, and
Alexander, of Pickens; the .ast
named owning and occupying the
old family homestead, with its undu-
lating hills and fertile bottoms. All
the others have achieved marked
success in their several vocations.
John w. J.. Cary, planter and
mechanic, lived near, was Tax Col
lector of Pickcns District for twelve
years, and during the whole of that
time not single execution was
issued by him against q delinquent
taxpayer. Taxes were not so high
then as now; hence not SO hard to
pay. He entered the army as cap
tain of cavalry company, was dis
abled at Pocatalago, returned to his
home and died in August, 1866. He
was the father of John O. Cary
president of Lockhart Mills; Wm
H. of Lockhart; N. p, F. M. and