The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-01-22
Andrew j. BCthea.

vi oOutH IarOlina, tS.u natlfe Of up
per Marion, now Dillon County. this
State. lie was born in tho Free State
SECTION OF Bethea township. which
borders the Marlboro County line. Au-
gust II. 1879.
His father. DR.. Andrew J. Be.hea.
! a popular physician and planter. who
had served with distinction in the
Confederate army, and who lied when
the present lieutenant governor was
less than two years OF age. was the
son of we'll known Methodist
preacher. Rev. Samuel J. Betheh: his
mother. Mrs. Annie NJ. Bcthea. who
still survives. was the daughter Of a
baptist preacher, the Rev. Jral I. Al
len, who represented Marion County
In the legislature OF 1876. Both grand
parents were useful citizens whose
influence Is still felt In the section
where they lived.
Andrew j. Bethea grew up on the
farm and learned to work, but. eager
for an education. attended the best
schools available at that time At
II he entered Wake Forest College.
from which he was graduated with
highest lionQss in 1902. taking the de-.
gree Of B..sA.. and latcr in 1901 the de-
gree OF NJ. A. ) Subsequently lie at
tended the University OF Tennessee
and also the University OF South Car
olina, from which latter institution he
was graduated with honors and re-
ceivod his Masters degree. In 1910
he passed the State. bar examination
and was licensed to practice law In all
the courts Of South Carolina.
Curing the first year following his
college course, and at intervals. he
taught school at Beech Island. In
Aiken County, at Camden, Kershaw
County, and at Hopkins, in Richland
County. having been principal OF each
of these schools. ~
In 1905 Mr.. Betilea became the edi-
tor and publisher OF the Darlington
Press. q weekly newspaper at Dar-
lington. He continued In the news
paper business until January, 1907,
when he assumed hiR duties as pri-
vate secretary to Governor Ansel.
having received his appointment
from Governor Anscl November 2G,
1906. He served as secretary dur
ing the entire administration Of Gov
ernor Ansel. going out Of office with
the governor In 1911.
commissioner Of South Carolina by
the general assembly. which position
he held until he tOok the oath OF Office
OF lieutenant governor. He also
served two terms come years ago as
chief clerk OF the enRrossing depart
ment. and was q member OF the State
Democratic convention last summer
and worked and voted for the adop-
10, Co. N-tv ,ya (rv1
reform.
The new lieutenant governor is In
tensely interested in all present day
movements for social and moral up
lift. He Is frequently called on to
make educational speeches and last
summer addressed tho Southern So
Geological congress at Memphis.
In campaigning tito, State for the Of
fee he ; .!as he tcck &c c.:sroksa
stand for clean politics and good gov
ernment In South Carolina receiving
tho nomination by n large and fiat
terlng majority.
Since leaving tho governors Office
asl private secretary Of Governor An
sol. Lieutenant Governor Bethea has
made his homo in Columbia, where he
has for several years been engaged
in the practice OF law with offices at
12l1 l-2 Washington street. lie is a
close student OF parliamentary prac-
tice and will preside over the South
Carolina senate during the next two
years.
IT. Secretary OF State McCown.
{" r: NJ. Mcf,own begun his nth term
as secretary Of State today. Mr.. Nc
Gown is .esnatiyo Of darlington. now
Florence. County and win. ha 50 years
of age on March Z. The future soc
retary OF; State attended the public
schools In the city; OF E701cnce and
about three years ut South Carolina
College. now tho State University, III
Columbia. Like many other young
men, Mr.. McCqwn had the idea or
going West"i and Itd: but two years
cured him and he returned 10 South
Carolina, moro convinced thar ever
that "there Is no place like honne.
About this time Florence County was
created and In. this Mr.. McCown took
an active part. He followed the pro-
Seasion Of farming, In 1890 his first
political career begun with his cleo
tion as chairman of the Florence DEM
ocratic executive committee: which
he. held for three. terms. During tho
same times he served as the member
OF tthe State Democratic executive COM
mlttee from Fl6rehte County Part
OF that time Mr.. ATcCown served as 6s-
siatant clerk OF, the State getate,
which position he filled 5fof ~ yyears.
resigning in 1902 TO take q position In
the nfflcn Of Secretary OF State jesse
IT, Gas Mr.. NfeCown was chief
clark dariny the administration Of