History of Greenville, (Greenville County) South Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

James Clement Furman, educator, was born in Charleston, S.C., Dec. 5, 1809; son of the Rev. Richard Furman, D.D. (1755-1825), a Revolutionary patriot of Virginia, for whose apprehension Lord Cornwallis offered a reward; and pastor of the 1st Baptist church of Charleston, S.C., 1787-1824. James Clement was educated at the College of Charleston, leaving before the close of his senior year on account of ill health. He was pastor of Baptist churches at Camden and Fairfield, 1828-34; at Society Hill, 1834-43; was professor of mental and moral philosophy, rhetoric and logic in Furman theological institution, 1843-50; chairman of the faculty of Furman university, Greenville, S.C., an enlargement of the seminary, 1850-81; and professor of ethics and metaphysics, 1881-91. He was editor of the Baptist Courier and moderator of the Baptist state convention for several years. He died at Greenville, S.C., March 3, 1891.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Matthew Calbraith Butler, senator, was born in Greenville, S. C., March 8, 1836; son of William and Jane Tweedy (Perry) Butler and grandson of William Butler, soldier and representative in Congress, and nephew of Andrew pickens Butler, jurist. His father was a physician, a naval officer, and a representative in the 27th Congress, and his mother was a sister of Oliver Hazard and Matthew Calbraith Perry, the naval heroes of the war of 1812. He received his preparatory education in the schools of Edgefield and at Liberty Hall, and entered South Carolina college in 1854, remaining there until 1856, when he began the study of law in the office of his uncle, Hon. A. P. Butler. He was admitted to the bar in 1857, commenced practice at Edgefield Court House, was elected to the legislature from that district in 1859, resigning the office in 1861 to enter the Confederate service. He served with honor and distinction through the entire war, passed through the usual grades of promotion, and in 1863 received a major-general's commission. He lost his right leg at the battle of Brandy Station. He resumed the practice of law after the war, was returned to the state legislature in 1866, and in 1870 stood for election to the office of lieutenant-governor and to that of U. S. senator, but was defeated, the state being overwhelmingly Republican. In 1876, when South Carolina had two legislatures, he was elected to the U. S. senate by one faction, and David T. Corbin by the other, Butler winning the seat after a notable contest before the senate committee. He was re-elected in 1882 and again in 1888. He was commissioned major-general of volunteers, May 28, 1898, and served in the war with Spain.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Baylis John Earle, jurist, was born in .Greenville district, S.C., Jan. 24, 1795; son of Samuel and Harriet (Harrison) Earle. He was graduated with the first honor at the South Carolina college in 1811. He served six months as a soldier in Captain Kelly's cavalry in the war against the Creek nation and was afterward promoted brigade-major of militia. Having studied law at Greenville, he was admitted to the bar in April, 1816, and was elected a representative in the South Carolina legislature in 1820. In December, 1822, he was elected solicitor of the western circuit, and was elevated to the bench Dec. 2, 1830, as judge of common pleas, and Dec. 19, 1835, as judge of the supreme court of appeals. He declined in December, 1842, to oppose his friend, D. E. Huger, for a seat in the United States senate to succeed John C. Calhoun. He resigned his seat on the bench in December, 1843, and died in Greenville, S.C., Dec. 24, 1844.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Hayne Perry, representative, was born in Greenville, S.C., June 9, 1839; son of Gov. Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth Frances (McCall) Perry. He graduated at Furman university, S.C.; attended South Carolina college; graduated, fifth orator, at Harvard in 1859; studied law with his father, 1859-61, and in 1861 entered the Confederate service in Brook's cavalry. He was made first lieutenant of his company, which was afterward attached to the Hampton legion, and served in Virginia and South Carolina. After the close of the war be practised law with his father; was a member of the state convention of 1865; a representative from Greenville in the state legislature, 1865-69; solicitor of the eighth judicial district, 1868-72; a member of the state senate, 1880-84, and a representative from the fourth district of South Carolina in the 49th, 50th and 51st congresses, 1885-91.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor