Frank B. Gary
Encyclopedia
Frank Boyd Gary was a United States Senator from South Carolina
. Born in Cokesbury, South Carolina
, he attended the Cokesbury Conference School and Union College
(Schenectady, New York
). He studied law, was admitted to the bar
and commenced practice in Abbeville, South Carolina
in 1881. From 1890 to 1900 he was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
, serving as speaker from 1895 to 1900. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention
in 1895 and was a member of the State house of representatives in 1906.
Gary was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Asbury C. Latimer and served from March 6, 1908, to March 4, 1909; he was not a candidate for reelection in 1908, and after his time in the Senate he was again a member of the State house of representatives in 1910. He was elected judge of the eighth judicial circuit in 1912 and served until his death in Charleston, South Carolina
in 1922; interment was in Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, South Carolina
.
Frank B. Gary was also appointed as special judge in Lexington County in the 1903 trial of James H. Tillman (lieutenant governor of South Carolina and nephew of Senator "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman
) for the murder of N.G. Gonzales
(founding editor of The State, Columbia, SC's newspaper).
It has been alleged that Gary was a "Tillmanite", although there is no strong evidence of his being partisan in the trial. However, the jury was considered highly rigged and partisan considering Tillman shot Gonzales in broad daylight with many eye witnesses. Tillman was acquitted ostensibly on a self defense theory, but more likely because the jury believed Tillman was justified. Gonzales had waged a virtual crusade against Tillman in the newspaper, helping ensure his defeat in the 1902 gubernatorial election.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Born in Cokesbury, South Carolina
Cokesbury, South Carolina
Cokesbury is a census-designated place in Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 279 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cokesbury is located at ....
, he attended the Cokesbury Conference School and Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
(Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
). He studied law, was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
and commenced practice in Abbeville, South Carolina
Abbeville, South Carolina
For other communities of the same name, see Abbeville .Abbeville is a city in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States, 86 miles west of Columbia. Its population was 5,237 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Abbeville County...
in 1881. From 1890 to 1900 he was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
South Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
, serving as speaker from 1895 to 1900. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention
South Carolina Constitution
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. The current constitution took effect on December 4, 1895...
in 1895 and was a member of the State house of representatives in 1906.
Gary was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Asbury C. Latimer and served from March 6, 1908, to March 4, 1909; he was not a candidate for reelection in 1908, and after his time in the Senate he was again a member of the State house of representatives in 1910. He was elected judge of the eighth judicial circuit in 1912 and served until his death in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
in 1922; interment was in Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, South Carolina
Abbeville, South Carolina
For other communities of the same name, see Abbeville .Abbeville is a city in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States, 86 miles west of Columbia. Its population was 5,237 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Abbeville County...
.
Frank B. Gary was also appointed as special judge in Lexington County in the 1903 trial of James H. Tillman (lieutenant governor of South Carolina and nephew of Senator "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman
Benjamin Tillman
Benjamin Ryan Tillman was an American politician who served as the 84th Governor of South Carolina, from 1890 to 1894, and as a United States Senator, from 1895 until his death in office. Tillman's views were a matter of national controversy.Tillman was a member of the Democratic Party...
) for the murder of N.G. Gonzales
Narciso Gener Gonzales
Narciso Gener Gonzales was born in St. Paul's Parish, South Carolina, South Carolina. He and his brother, Ambrose E. Gonzales, were the founders of The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina....
(founding editor of The State, Columbia, SC's newspaper).
It has been alleged that Gary was a "Tillmanite", although there is no strong evidence of his being partisan in the trial. However, the jury was considered highly rigged and partisan considering Tillman shot Gonzales in broad daylight with many eye witnesses. Tillman was acquitted ostensibly on a self defense theory, but more likely because the jury believed Tillman was justified. Gonzales had waged a virtual crusade against Tillman in the newspaper, helping ensure his defeat in the 1902 gubernatorial election.