Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1909-10-28
A USEFUL LIFE
Dr.. James H. Carlisle Passes Away Sur.
rounded by Loved Ones.
WAS TRULY A G0nr Man

Educators Life and H,s Great
Work for the Young Men of South
Carolina as President of Woifortl
College.
James Henry Carlisle was born In
Winnsoboro, Fairfield county, South
Carolina, May 4, 1925. His father,
DR.. William Carlisle, was native of
Ireland and came to this country in
1918, settling at Winnsboro. where
he was a practicing physician for
many years. Young James Henry
Carlisle received his primary school
ing in his native town. Later on his
parents moved TO the historic town OF
Camden. where the young man was
prepared for college. being taught
by Professors McCandless, Hatfield
and Major Leland.
He entered the sophomore class
of the South Carolina College Feb
ruary /, 1912. During his course
at the college he was under DR..
Robert Henry, who had charge of
the department of languages, and DIR.
Leiber, who was in charge of de-
partment of economy and civil law.
DR.. Carlisle graduated in 1914; be-
ing the second honor man in the
class, the first honor man being Gen.
P. II. Nelson. who was killed in the
battle of the Crater"
Being the second honor man 1t
fell to his lot to deliver the Eng
lish Grafton. His subject was "Shel-
ley" the poet. 1t Is said that this
Grafton elected much favorable COM
ment and many predictions were
made of his future career, but his
achievements\ have surpassed the
most sanguine hopes of his most ar
dent friends.
The real teacher. like the poet, is
born. not made. Young Carlisle i'm
mediately passed from the school
room as student. TO the school room
as teacher. being elected principal
of the Odd Fellows Institute in CO.
lumbia. which position he held for
four years. In 1884 he was elected
to a position In the Columbia Male
Academy
In December, 1850. Benjamin Wof-
ford died. He left by his will one
hundred Thousand dei'afs "for the
purpose ~ establishing and endow-
ing college for literary, classical
and scientific education. TO be located
in his native district. and TO be un-
der the control and management OF
the conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of his native
State" A charter wax duly secured
| and the trutees held their first meet
| ing to organize under 1t at New.
berry November pa, 1853.
Thus was established the institu-
| ton which was destined to be the
centre of the intellectual life of South
Carolina Methodism, and which was
| to he potent influence in the pro.
| duction OF the highest type of citi
zenship for the State of South Caro-
lima. One of the United States Sen
ators from this State, one of tn,
Supreme Court Judges. several cir
cult Judges and many Other officials
of the State are graduates Of Wof
ford College. while under the presi
dency of DR.. Carlisle.
Since 1854 the history of WofforC
| College has been largely determined
by James II. Carlisle. In 1875 b,
| was elected president of the institu
tion. Al different times he ha
taught mathematics. astronomy, civ
les, ethics. the English Bible He wa
more thoroughly conversant will
South Carolina history than any liv
ing man. He is the author OF an ex
cellent text book on astronomy. en-
titled The Young Astronomer.
Time and again fatterng offers from
other institutions have been made
but to all of them he ever gave
courteous refusal, prefering to serv
that institution of his church T.
which he consecrated his lofty char
acter and resplendent abilities.
The honors that have come to Dr
Carlisle have always been unsought
Being modst and unassuming, tn
very idea OF seeking a personal hon
or seems utterly foreign to his nobl
nature. He was elected a membe
of the first general conference O
his church OF which laymen wer
members. and was elected TO eac
succeeding one as long as he fel
able to go. He was a delegate fror
; his church to several Ecumenica
conferences. He was a member @
the secession convention. signing tn
famous ordinance. He was a repre-
sentative in the late confederate les
islature. 1864. These were tn
first and only political Offices he helC
though time and again he has bee
urged to accept positions of homo
and trust in state and nation.
Wofford's adored president ha
ever been a spiritual magnet. draw
I ing out the highest and noblest
! the young mon who have come unde
, his influence. His stately form. b
! graceful movement. mis- loving "
firm voice. and his benign face. hay
blended in an imperative call
young manhood that has found