Eugene B. Gary

Abbeville, whose lawyers have always held a prominent place at the bar of South Carolina, today does not lack able minds which make her name courted and revered in the tribunals of our State. Conspicuous among those is the subject of our sketch, who but still a young man, enjoys a standing at the bar possessed by few, surpassed by none.

Eugene B. Gary, son of Dr. F. F. Gary, nephew of Gen. Mart. Gary, was born in Abbeville and finished a splendid course of education by graduating from South Carolina University in 1872.

He was for a year principal of Hodges Academy, and commenced and pursued the study of law in the office of Gen. M. W. Gary, in Edgefield, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1825, at Laurens. He immediately commenced practising, and from the beginning and a keen method of seeing through men's saying and doings, brought him into the front rank and now he has, perhaps the largest practice in this county. Space only allows us here to briefly mention one or two of the many difficult and momentous cases he has combated with success in the Supreme Courts, otherwise we might recite incidents to be read with profit by both young and old lawyers. Among them we may note: Allen vs. Allen, on the distribution of an estate of $64,000; of Warren vs. Lagrone as to the effect of military orders; Godbold vs. Vance, Mars vs. Virginia Insurance Co., Crawford vs. Crawford, and many others, all involving intricate questions and evoking telling and superb arguments which carried the victory.

He also had the case of the State vs. McGreer, settling the law in this State in regard to self-defence, and of the State vs. Myers, which was the first case in this State where there was an appeal from a verdict of manslaughter.

He was attorney for the Hon. D. Wyatt Aiken, when he contested his seat in Congress, in the United States District Courts and won it, and nominated him for re-election in 1882, at the Anderson convention.

In political circles, Mr. Gary has always taken active interest and is one of the most influential members of the Democratic party in this county, espousing with zeal and earnestness every motion brought forward for the party's good, and opposing with equal ardour, all measures which may tend to reduce the strength of the Democratic combination.

In 1876 he wrote the first article that appeared in the papers of this county in behalf of Straight Out Democracy. In 1882 he was elected county chairman, not withstanding the strong and intelligent opposition of Hon. J. C. Maxwell, Senator from the county, and has since filled the post with honor. In August, 1882, at the State Convention, he was elected to a place on the State Democratic Executive Committee.

Mr. Gary is likewise a member of the Masonic Order, belongs to Clinton Lodge, No. 3, and is a Royal Arch, Council and Master Mason. Deservedly one of the most popular men in our county, with a large circle of friends he holds a position, both as a professional man and citizen, that makes him at once a necessary and important factor in the public welfare, and a weighty and ascendant member of the community.