Benjamin Lindsey ABNEY

M, b. 25 February 1859, d. 11 November 1921
Relationship
4th cousin 2 times removed of John Kennedy BROWN Jr.
Benjamin L. Abney
     Benjamin Lindsey ABNEY, son of James Madison ABNEY and Martha Livingston, was born on 25 February 1859 at near the Saluda River in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He never married. He was an attorney in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He practiced law during a particularly interesting time in Columbia's history. He played a significant role in the community's shift from a more agrarian way of life to industrilized urbanization through his involvement in the utility companies, mills, and railroad industry.

He attended Newberry College in Edgefield County (the school's catalog shows that he entered a freshman in 1872 and was no longer in attendance by 1876) and the University of Virginia (circa 1877-79). After admission to the South Carolina bar in December 1880, Benjamin briefly practiced law in Edgefield County at his older brother John's firm, but after only one year, he followed his brother to Columbua. John Abney moved to New York in 1893, and Benjamin continued to practice law in Columbia.

Early in his career, Benjamin was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (Richland County) for three terms from 1886-1891. While he never sought political office beyond this position, he remained politically active during his professional life by the very nature of the cases he tried and his participation on special committees.

In the 1890s Benjamin was involved in some of the most significant cases to cross the South Carolina bench. He dealt with some of the most pressing issues of the day and made a name for himself as one of the more adept and facile lawyers in the state.

Benjamin compiled one of the largest libraries in the state. At the time of his death his library contained about 10,000 volumes.1

Benjamin Lindsey ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 11 August 1870, in the household of his parents James Madison ABNEY and Martha Livingston in Saluda, Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was emnumerated as Berryman Abney, age 12.

Benjamin Lindsey ABNEY died on 11 November 1921 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, at age 62.

His obituary appeared 12 November 1921 in the an unknown place , published in an unknown place , an unknown place . The State newspaper of Columbia, South Carolina. "Benjamin Lindsey Abney, one of the ablest and best known members of the South Carolina bar, died yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock following an illness of a little over a week. Mr. Abney died at the home of C. L. Blease on Washington Street where he had resided for a number of years.

His only immediate relatives, Col. John R. Abney of New York, a brother, and Mrs. J. C. Hunter, a sister, were at his bedside when the end came. Colonel Abney has been here since last week, and Mrs. Hunter arrived from her home in Atlanta early yesterday morning.

Mr. Abney had not been in the best of health for some time and last week was taken seriously sick. He had rallied earlier in the week, but Thursday grew worse and was unconscious all yesterday afternoon. Diabetes and pneumonia were given as he causes of his death.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock at Trinity Episcopal church and the internment will be in Elmwood cemetery. The Rev. Henry D. Phillips, newly chosen rector of Trinity, will probably conduct the service.

Was Able Lawyer


Benjamin Lindsey Abney was recognized not only by fellow members of his profession but by laymen as well as one of the ablest lawyers in the state, having few, if any, peers among the South Carolina bar. In addition to being learned in the law he was a deep student otherwise. He had one of the finest private libraries in South Carolina.

Mr. Abney had handled some of the largest cases ever carried before South Carolina courts, included among these being the famous Southern Railway merger suit in which he gained wide distinction for his work. In this case some of the most prominent attorneys in the country were engaged, including A. P. Thom, then general counsel for the Southern Railway. Mr. Abney was division counsel for the Southern at that time and had charge of the entire case, being assisted by a number of other attorneys. Another important case he was engaged in was the Seminole suit and the last case of importance in which he appeared in court was the Columbia canal case. He was engaged by the state of South Carolina for this case, the commonweath winning in the court of common pleas.

He was division counsel in charge of South Carolina for the Southern railway for a quarter of a century, resigning in 1917.

Mr. Abney practiced law in Columibia for 39 years, coming here January 1, 1882 from Edgefield. He practiced with his brother, Johh R. Abney, until the latter went to New York in 1883 and then formed a partnership with John P. Thomas, Jr., which continued for many years.

Mr. Abney was born in the old Ninety-six district in what is now Edgefield county February 25, 1859, and was therefore 63 years old at the time of his death. He was educated at the common schools of his district and attended Newberry college when this institutiion was located at Walhalla, his father owning a summer home there. He later went to the University of Virginia where he was graduated in 1879.

Family From England


Following his graduation at the University of Virginia Mr. Abney returned to Edgefield and there read law under his brother and other leading attonneys in the district. He was admitted to the bar December 13, 1880, and had been practicing his profession since that date, a little over a year in Edgefield and the remainder of the period in Columbia.

Mr. Abney inherited his talent from a long lline of distinguished ancestors in England. The family moved from England to Virginia and then William Abney, the paternal ancestor of Ben L. Abney, was granted lands on the Saluda river in the old Ninety -Six district. The family is of Norman-French ancestry. Chapman's history of Edgefield and McKenzie's "Colonial Families" give a full account of the history of the family as does Burke's "Landed Gentry" and "American Families."

James M. Abney, planter and physician, was the father of Ben L. Abney, and his mother was Martha Livingston Abney. Both died a number of years ago.

Mr. Abney was never married. He was devoted to his profession and the study of literature. He was widely read and preferred to occupy his time in this manner rather than in clubs or societies. He was content to devote his time to his profession and books, never turning aside for political honors." He was buried in Elmwood Memorial Gardens, Columbia, South Carolina.
Last Edited=14 Jan 2016

Citations

  1. [S663] Benjamin Abney, online http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/uscs/01spr/abney.html, accessed 9 Dec 2007.

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