Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-06-05
Sketch Of His Life,

~ S'IhJ 1909.
Sketch Of His Life.
For more than forty years Judge
lzlar was one Of the most conspicu-
GUS In the business, social and poll
tical life OF Orangeburg, city and
county. He was one of the prime
movers In the organization OF the
Bank of Orangeburg. and for about
twenty years was it's active presi-
dent until his increasing feebleness
compelled his retirement several
years ago. Few men were more gen
erally known and appreciated in the
whole State than he.
Until few years ago, when age
and growing feebleness warned him
to desist from the laborious work he
was accustomed to do, he was one of
the most active lawyers in the State,
and there was none more jealous in
the practice Of his profession. He
was most successful practitioner,
and for years held the largest client
age Of any lawyer at the Orangeburg
bar.
Judge Izlar was man beloved by
all who knew him, and particularly
was this true of the young men. whose
friend he always was, and there are
many who acknowledge with grati-
tude the assistance rendered them by
this noble gentleman.
He was prominent in church work
and was an ardent fraternity man,
being particularly fond of the Ma
sonic fraternities, having attained to
the 32d degree in that order. He
was also prominent Odd Fellow.
The life sketch which follows
shows the services rendered the
State and the county by Judge lzlar,
and how the people showed their
appreciation Of those services:
James Ferdinand Izlar was born
November 25, 1892, on his fathers
farm In Orangeburg county, his par
ents being William and Julia Il. A.
lzlar AS a boy he worked on the
Plantation, and at very irregular in
tervals attended the "old field'.
schools. Although encountering
many difficulties in obtaining an edu
cation, he was graduated with first
honors from Emory College at Ok
tord' Ca, In the class of 1855. After
teaching school for while young
lzlar decided to adopt the legal pro-
fession as his life work, and studied
law in the office Of the late Col. II.
}. Glover at Orangeburg. He was
recognized as one of the ablest law
yers in the State.
For twenty years Judge Izlar was
State Senator for this county,an dur
ing eight of these was president pro-
tempore OF that body. His retire
ment from the Senate came only with
his election. in 1899, by the General
Assembly, to the Bench as Judge of
the First Circuit. This position he
held four years, until the Tillman
revolution, when he was defeated for
reelection. He was, however, at a
special election held shortly after,
elected to the SD Congress to sue
ceed Judge William H. Brawley, of
charleston, who resigned to accept
Federal Judgeship. Judge Izlars op-
ponent was the late Dr.. !, William
Stokes.
For number Of years prior to his
elevation to the Bench, Judge Izlar
served as chairman OF the State Dem
ocratic Executive Committee. He at
tended several of the Democratic Ma
tional Conventions as delegate
from this State notably the conven-
ton of 1884, when Grover Cleveland
was first nominated. Judge Izlar was
one OF the South Carolina delegation
who supported Cleveland against
Bayard. the South Carolina delega-
ton being divided. Judge Izlar also
served rs trustee Of the South Car
olina University
During the War Between the States
Judge Izlar rendered conspicuous
service as captain Of the Edisto Ri
fles. in which company also were his
four brothers. He was captured at
Fort Fisher, ~ c., on January 18th,
1865. Here he broke his sword into
two pieces. which he threw into the
Potomac river before surrcndering to
the enemy. He was transferred from
Fort Fisher to Governors Island, n.
Y. and was paroled in April, 1865.
He reached home the next month, af-
ter hard and toilsome tourney.