Resources for Samuel Thomas Clowney
Samuel Thomas Clowney 1863--1942
(Transcribed from hand written original by his daughter, Meynel
Clowney Cato)
Samuel Thomas Clowney was born in the Buckhead section of Fairfield
County, S.C. near the site of Mobley's Meeting House, March 6,
1863. His father was Moses Clowney, (Confederate soldier) of County
Down, Ireland. His mother was Susannah Elizabeth Yongue Milling,
widow of Robert Millling, and daughter of Robert and Hester Mobley
Yongue. She and Moses married December 18, 1951.
Born during the hectic days of the Civil War, and growing up in the
equally hectic Reconstruction Era, the boy Sam early learned self
reliance, dependability, obedience and duty. Tho too young for
regular membership in the group, he rode proudly with the "Red
Shirters". He was educated in the old county schools and at
Crosbyville Military Academy, under the tutorship of the well known
Professor David Busbee. While at Crosbyville, as in subsequent
years, he excelled as an athlete, being especially adept at lancing
and other forms of horsemanship. His fine physique, with the erect
and commanding carriage of the expert horseman distinguished him
thruout his long and active life.
On November 12, 1891 he was married to Miss Emmie Louise Wolling,
daughter of John George and Maria Louisa Feaster Wolling, of the
Feasterville section of Fairfield County. To this union were born
seven children as follows:
George Moses Clowney, born July 30, 1892, married Elizabeth Berry
Martin.
James Russel Clowney, born August 20, 1894, died November 2,
1937.
L. Sam Clowney, born December 1, 1896, married Alice
Czarnitzki.
Meynel Clowney, born August 27, 1899, married William Leon
Cato.
Cleora Clowney, born March 19, 1902, married John Bratton Hall.
Bessie Frances Clowney, born April 29, 1904, married Clifford Hayne
Shimmel.
Emmie Louise Clowney, born February 22, 1915, married William
Jackson Senn.
Mr. Clowney spent practically all of his life in Fairfield County.
For many years he was prominent in agricultural, business, and
civic enterprises. He inherited from his Irish forbears a
passionate love of the land. Around the nucleus of a portion of the
Robert Yongue plantation, he acquired a sizeable plantation of his
own, the rolling acres of which he constantly improved. His farming
methods were advanced, his knowledge and appreciation of fine
livestock justifiable.
His home offered hospitality to many guests. The campaigning
politician, the weary peddler with his pack, relatives and friends
from far and near, all found a cordial welcome there. Among the
guests were youthful relatives from Columbia, Chester, and
Winnsboro, who spent many weeks reveling in the joys of country
living. Riding was chief among these pleasures. Spirited saddle
horses and Indian ponies, slow moving mules, donkeys and oxen, the
be-whiskered Angora Billy and even the homemade "flying Jenny"
served as steeds for the town youngsters.
Mr. Clowney was a Presbyterian, a Mason, a Woodman of the World,
and a member of the Order of Knights of Pythias. He was for more
than a quarter of a century chairman of his local school board. Tho
always active in political campaigns, he never sought public office
until 1912 when he was elected on first ballot to serve in the
South Carolina Legislature. During his one term he instituted the
referendum method of legislation for the voters of Fairfield
County.
Sam Clowney, possessed of a genial personality, generous nature,
keen mind and quiet wit, numbered his friends by the score in both
races.
On April 9, 1942, he passed on at the age of 79, and was laid to
rest in the Clowney plot in Salem Presbyterian Church yard, only a
few miles from the place of his birth.
NOTE (hand-written by E.C.P.): "OBIT / Found in papers of Meynel
Clowney Cato".
