Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-06-03

Low, all the time, among all classes, Is
b only fair way to administer popular
government" ("
/, A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
(Prepared by friend)
-. j. McSwain, of Greenville, is
thirty-three years of age, and Is one
OF the most promising Of the younger
lawyers in the Piedmont section,
He Is fine type Of the aggressive and
progressive young Carolinian, stand
ig out prominently among the young
men of the State, who have pushed
themselves to the front by dint of
hard work and ceaseless study. He
worked his way through college,
graduating with first honors, and
later settled at Grenvllle =, practice
law. a comparative stranger In a
strange town. But the same cour-
age and energy. which carried him
through college without financial
backing, brought him through cb-
security and many discouragements,
into prominence and a fine law prac-
tice.
Mr.. McSwain was born at Cross
Hill in old Laurens County on May
i, 1875. He attended the country
,
still In his teens went to Wofford
Fitting School, at Spartanburg, s. G.
After remaining there awhile, he en-
cered South Carolina College, where
after four years course he gradu-
ated in June, 1897. He paid his
own expenses while at College, de-
riving his finances by surveying and
teaching during vacation, and by tu-
toring other pupils while in college.
After graduation he taught school
for sometime, studying law in the
evenings. He. took part of the
law course at South Carolina College
and was admitted to the bar in May,
1899. After being admitted to prac-
tice be continued to teach school for
two years. In May, 1901, he launch
ed out actively in the practice OF
law. He went to Greenville, where
he soon made a host OF friends.
The Sons Of Confederate Veterans
of South Carolina elected him Com
mander Of the South Carolina Divi-
sion, in May, 1908, and he held that
position for three years. In May,
1904. he was elected Grand Master
of the I. o. o. F. of South Carolina,
position which came to him as a
surprise, 1t being his first year in
the Grand Lodge, He occupied that
position with great dignity and abil-
ity, and was unanimously reelected
for second term in May, 1905. At
the. conclusion Of his second term in
the highest Office IN the Grand
Lodge, he was elected to the po-
sitiony Of Grand Representative to
the Sovereign Grand Lodge, the su-
preme body OF Odd Fellows. He
has taken an active part In the work
OF that body for two years, attend
Ing the conventions at Toronto,
Canada, in 1906, and st. Paul, Mimi,
In 1907, and Is member of the
Committee on Estate Of the Order"
Mr.. McSwain's professional ,ex-
perience has extended over wide
field, on both the criminal and civil
sides Of the Court. He Is Chairman
'of the Board of Stewards of the
Hampton Avenue Methodist church.
One Of the best pieces OF work
ever performed by Mr.. McSwain was
his connection with the movement
for the establishment Of the Odd
Fellows Orphan Home, near Green
Vile. He was one of the most ac-
tive and enthusiastic. promoters Of
this great movement. AS one of the
members of tho Board of Trustees
Of the Greenville Graded Schools,
Mr.. McSwain takes an active interest
in the educational work of his home
city. Mr.. McSwain was married on
April 20. 1905, to Miss Sarah Nc
Cullough, Of Greenville. and they
reside at 765 North Main Street,
Greenville, s. G. .-..
At the Grand Lodge of Knights Of
Pythias in Sumter, 1906, Mr. Nc
hot
committee to investigate the neces-
city and expediency Of establishing
an Orphan Home for the children of
deceased Pythians. His committee
made thorough investigation and
a comprehensive report. At the
meeting OF the Grand Lodge In An.
derson, 1907, Mr.. McSwain was made
a member Of a standing committe
consisting OF the Grand Chancellor,
and two other members, to disburse
the funds of about one thousand
dollars, appropriated for the support
Of Pythian orphans in this State.
This Is grand and noble work.
Mr.. McSwain was a contributor to
the Endowment Fund OF Furman
University raised In 1908, gave 8
scholarship from Laurens County to
Wofford Fitting School for Session
1907-190S, Is an annual contributor
to the Alumni Fund to educate poor
students at South Carolina Univer-
sity, Is a small owner of farm lands,
was one Of the first trustees of the In
dustrial Training Home, to engage
in rescue work among women and
girls, and has cordially supported
all plans to establish a public hos
pital In Greenville City.
Mr.. McSwain is an enthusiastic
advocate of all efforts to tmDroye the