The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-09-14
NEW GOVERNOR is
FARMER AND LAWYER

carolina, lOnR ago established In his
home county of Lee his prestige as an
able and learned member of the bar.
His services have not been within the
strict limits of his profession, how
ever, and again ,apd again he has
been called upon to act in positions of
trust and responsibility, involving
large and important issues. For four
years he was lieutenant governor of
the state, he has been a member of
both houses of the legislature, and
in all his record there has been moth
ing to detract justly from his reputa-
ton as lawyer, an upright gentle
man and forward looking citizen.
He was born in Lynchburg, Sumter
county, South Carolina, December II,
1868, and is descended from James
Mcleod, Scot, who came to the
Carolinas before the Revolutionary
War. His father, William James Nc
Leod, was d merchant and farmer and
served as captain of Company E,
Sixth South Carolina regiment,
throughout the Confederate war. He
married Amanda Rogers, whose faith
er, was of New England stock, and
came to the Carolinas from Connec-
ticutt in 1885.
Thomas G. Mcleod once wrote in
regard to his parentage, inheritance
and early influence the following:
"My parents were both devoted
Christians and the home influences
were of the best. My mother died
when l was but ten years of age; but
her place was taken by my stepmoth-
er, and to her training and influence
l am as much indebted for whatever
success l have attained as l am to
any other influence IL NY life. My
early experience in my fathers coun-
try store brought me in contact with
all classes of people; and the know
ledge there gained OF human nature
and the friendly meeting with people
of all kinds and classes, appears to
have been to me the most useful part
of my life training and the founda-
tion certainly of whatever success
have attained in public life"
Besides the incidents and expe-
rience thus noted, Mr.. Mcleod also
came in contact with the practical
work of the South Carolina farm and
is, strictly speaking, country bred,
though most of his boyhood was spent
in the village of Lynchburg. He at
tended private schools and in 1892
finished the classical course and was
awarded the A. B. degree by Wofford
college, at Spartanburg. He also took
a summer course in law at the Uni
versity of Virginia. For a year he
taught at Bethel academy and anoth-
er year at Line academy and in 1896
was admitted to the bar. He soon re-
turned home to take charge of the
family business affairs during the last
illness of his father and was thus en-
gagged until 1908, when he removed to
Bishopville and began the practice at
law about the same time that Lee
county was created.
For fully 20 years he has been re-
of his community. He was elected to
represent Sumter county in the legis-
lature until 1901. In 1902 he was
chosen the first senator from Lee
county, and was delegate to the ma
tional Democratic convention Of
1904. He was elected lieutenant gov
ernor without opposition in 1906 and
1908.
Mr.. Mcleod is possessed of mag
netic personality and has many Of the
qualifications of the true orator. He
was one of the most effective plat
form speakers in every cause and
movement related to the prosecution
of the World War, speaking in behalf
of Liberty loans, Red Cross and other
drives. He was appointed chairman
of the local exemption board of Lee
county and for nearly two years pa.
triotic work had priority over all his
private business.
Mr.. Mcleod has extensive farm in.
terests. He is attorney for and direc-
tor Of the Bishopvilie National Bank
and is president of the Bishopville
Telephone company. He was appoint
ed a member of the state central COM
mittee for the purpose of reducing
the cotton acreage. For years he ha:
been a working member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, South
and as district director he spent much
time in the movement for raising
funds for the Methodist church. Ii
1916 he was appointed a trustee OF
Winthrop college and is still on the
board. Fraternally, he is affiliated
with the Masons, Knights Of Pythia:
and Woodmen of the World and is 2