Elected to the 41st Congress, being the first colored man having that distinction, and was re-elected to the 42nd, 43rd, 44th and 45th Congresses, five successive terms, the only colored man with such a record.
He received a caucus nomination as Clerk of the House, from the Republican members of Congress, the only colored man who has ever been honored by a Republican caucus.
The House was Democratic.
He was a delegate to several National Republican Conventions.
Served as Special Agent for the Treasury Department.
Polished in his manners—a fluent and convincing speaker, he was prominent in the Councils of the Republican Party.
Gen. Robert Smalls—
Born in South Carolina, at Beaufort, April 5, 1839.
Although debarred by Statute from attending school, he educated himself with such limited advantages as he could secure.
Removed to Charleston, S.C., in 1851, worked as a rigger, leading a sea-faring life.
Employed on the Planter, a steamer plying in Charleston harbor as a transport, which he took over Charleston Bar in May, 1862, and delivered her and his services to the U. S. Blockading Squadron.
In recognition of his services was appointed Pilot in the U. S. Navy, and served in that capacity on the monitor "Koekuk."
Promoted as Captain for gallant and meritorious conduct, December 1, 1863, and placed in command of the Planter, serving until she was put out of commission in 1866.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
State Senator from Beaufort Co.
Elected to the 44th Congress, and re-elected to the 45th, 48th and 49th Congresses.
Was a delegate to every National Republican Convention up to within a short time of his death.
Collector of the Port of Beaufort, S. C.
Died two or three years ago, the last of the "Old Guard" in S. C.
Alonzo J. Ransier—
Born at Charleston, S.C., 1834.
Self educated. Employed as a shipping clerk in 1850 by leading merchant, who was tried for violation of law "in having a colored clerk" and fined one cent with costs.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
Member of the House of Representatives of S.C.
Elected Lieutenant Governor on ticket with Gov. R. K. Scott, in 1870.
President of Southern States Convention held at Columbia, S.C., in 1871.
Presidential Elector on Grant and Colfax ticket in 1868.
Delegate to National Republican Convention in 1872.
Elected to the 42 Congress.
A man singularly gifted with political farsightedness.
Robert C. DeLarge.
Born at Aiken, S.C., March 15, 1842.
Farmer—Self-educated.
Agent of the Freedmen's Bureau from May, 1867 to April, 1868.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
Member of the House of Representatives, 1860-1870.
One of the State Commissioners of the Sinking Fund.
Elected State Commissioner in 1870.
Elected to the 42d Congress.
Very prominent in the Party Councils.
Rev. R. H. Cain—
Born in Greenbrier Co., Va., April 12, 1825.
His father moved to Ohio in 1831 and settled in Gallipolis.
Entered the ministry at an early age and became a student at Wilberforce University in 1860 and remained there one year.
Removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., at the breaking out of the war where he discharged ministerial duties as pastor for four years.
Was sent by his church as a missionary to the Freedmen in South Carolina.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
State Senator from Charleston Co.
Elected to the 43d Congress, and re-elected to the 45th Congress.
Bishop in the African Methodist Church and a power in that denomination.
William Beverly Nash—
Born in South Carolina.
Of limited education but endowed with wonderful common sense and political foresight.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
State Senator from Richland Co., in which Columbia is located.
For one term (four years) was Chairman of the Powerful Ways and Means Committee.
An elector on the Hayes and Wheeler ticket in 1876.
It was reported that he was offered $100,000 to vote for Tilden and Hendricks. Had he accepted the offer the Democratic ticket would have been elected, as the vote stood 186 for Hayes and 185 for Tilden. Be it said to his eternal honor he was beyond price.
Stephen A. Swails—
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
Represented Williamsburg Co., in the Senate.
Elected President pro term of the Senate for the whole period.
A very strong character and exerted considerable influence in legislation.
Was in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.
Had musical talent of a high order.
Judge Lee—
Judge of the Municipal Court of Charleston, S. C.
A man of ripe scholarship and of high legal attainments.
Until President Roosevelt appointed Judge R. H. Terrell of Washington to a similar position, I think he was the only colored man who ever occupied such a position.
Francis L. Cardozo—
Born in South Carolina, at Charleston.
Educated in Scotland, at Glasgow University.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
Secretary of State for four years.
State Treasurer for two years.
Scholarly, courtly and dignified.
Took great interest in the education of the colored youth, and was popular among the boys on account of the fatherly interest he manifested in them.
Moved to Washington, D. C., after 1876 and accepted a position in the office of the Auditor for the Post Office Department.
After serving for several years in the Department he was elected to the Principalship of the Colored High School in Washington, a position he filled with honor and credit to the race and himself. After his death the Board of Education named one of the School Buildings the "Cardozo Building" as a tribute to his great interest in the educational welfare of the colored race.
Henry E. Hayne—
Born in South Carolina.
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.
State Senator from Marion, Co.
Secretary of State.
Was very much interested in the education of the colored youth.
Richard H. Gleaves—
Served two terms as Lieutenant Governor.
Elected with Gov. F. J. Moses in 1872 and with Gov. D. H. Chamberlin in 1874.
Was nominated a third time with Gov. Chamberlin and elected but forced by the Democrats to withdraw.
Henry