REV. O. M. ABNEY. B. D.
Rev. Olympia McKelvey Abney, son of Dr. Ezra S. Abney and Mrs. Man Jane Abney (nee Holeman), was born in Lexington County, S. C. March 8, 1872. His paternal grandparents were of English and French descent, his great-grandparents having come to this country from England and settled on a grant of land in what is now Edgefield County. His maternal grandparents were of German blood and natives of Lexington County. The father of the subject served in the Civil War, after which he graduated at a medical college in Philadelphia. Soon after graduating he married Miss Holeman, near Durant, Miss., where her father was then living. Returning with his happy bride, the Doctor settled in Lexington County, where the subject of this sketch was born. The good Doctor and his devoted wife still live and now reside in Richland County. To their toils and sacrifices, under God, our young friend owes the thorough educational preparation he has received, and no doubt he fully appreciates their kindness. May he ever prove worth of such parents.
Brother Abney's education began in the home, and was continued in various schools in Lexington and Richland Counties, until the year 1890. In October of that year, he matriculated at Wofford College.
Owing to the fact that his preparatory education had not been thorough, his first years at college were loaded with extra work. This, however, he was able to do and graduated in June. 1894. While in college he was secretary of his class, he did mission work in Sunday schools and prayer meetings. For several months after his graduation he taught school at Boiling Spring, Lexington County. In the fall of 1895 he entered the Theological Department Vanderbilt University. He made a fine record here also, graduating with honor in 1898 and receiving the class medal.
From his earliest years brother Abney felt inclined to the work of the ministry. His parents being pious, devoted Methodists, the boy's life was surrounded with the best Christian influences. He joined the Church at old Harris Chapel, in Richland County when twelve years old. He was converted under the ministry of Rev. J. W. Neeley. At the age of sixteen years his call to preach became distinct and unmistakable. He fought against it, however, for two years, but finding that resistance was vain he yielded. He was licensed to preach August 5, 1893, under Rev. E. T. Hodges, Presiding Elder.
Soon after leaving Vanderbilt university, in 1898, Brother Abney was appointed to Cartaret Street Church, Beaufort, S. C. to fill out the term of Rev. P. A. Murray, who had been appointed to a chaplaincy in the Second Regiment. S. C. Volunteers for Cuba. In December of that year he was received on trial into the Conference, and was appointed to the Starr and Iva Circuit, where he served for 1899-1900. At the recent session he was appointed to West End, Anderson.
Our young friend has the outlook of a most successful career. He is diligent as a pastor and forceful as a preacher. He has always been pious. He is modest, but positive. Honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, dutifulness and firmness have ever marked his way. His friends are watching his career with the most sanguine anticipations. They will not be disappointed. [Source: Transcribed by Dena W., from "Twentieth Century Sketches of the South Carolina Conference, M. E. Church, South, by Watson B. Duncan, 1901, pages 10-11"]
REV. O. M. ABNEY. B. D.
Rev. Olympia McKelvey Abney, son of Dr. Ezra S. Abney and Mrs. Man Jane Abney (nee Holeman), was born in Lexington County, S. C. March 8, 1872. His paternal grandparents were of English and French descent, his great-grandparents having come to this country from England and settled on a grant of land in what is now Edgefield County. His maternal grandparents were of German blood and natives of Lexington County. The father of the subject served in the Civil War, after which he graduated at a medical college in Philadelphia. Soon after graduating he married Miss Holeman, near Durant, Miss., where her father was then living. Returning with his happy bride, the Doctor settled in Lexington County, where the subject of this sketch was born. The good Doctor and his devoted wife still live and now reside in Richland County. To their toils and sacrifices, under God, our young friend owes the thorough educational preparation he has received, and no doubt he fully appreciates their kindness. May he ever prove worth of such parents.
Brother Abney's education began in the home, and was continued in various schools in Lexington and Richland Counties, until the year 1890. In October of that year, he matriculated at Wofford College.
Owing to the fact that his preparatory education had not been thorough, his first years at college were loaded with extra work. This, however, he was able to do and graduated in June. 1894. While in college he was secretary of his class, he did mission work in Sunday schools and prayer meetings. For several months after his graduation he taught school at Boiling Spring, Lexington County. In the fall of 1895 he entered the Theological Department Vanderbilt University. He made a fine record here also, graduating with honor in 1898 and receiving the class medal.
From his earliest years brother Abney felt inclined to the work of the ministry. His parents being pious, devoted Methodists, the boy's life was surrounded with the best Christian influences. He joined the Church at old Harris Chapel, in Richland County when twelve years old. He was converted under the ministry of Rev. J. W. Neeley. At the age of sixteen years his call to preach became distinct and unmistakable. He fought against it, however, for two years, but finding that resistance was vain he yielded. He was licensed to preach August 5, 1893, under Rev. E. T. Hodges, Presiding Elder.
Soon after leaving Vanderbilt university, in 1898, Brother Abney was appointed to Cartaret Street Church, Beaufort, S. C. to fill out the term of Rev. P. A. Murray, who had been appointed to a chaplaincy in the Second Regiment. S. C. Volunteers for Cuba. In December of that year he was received on trial into the Conference, and was appointed to the Starr and Iva Circuit, where he served for 1899-1900. At the recent session he was appointed to West End, Anderson.
Our young friend has the outlook of a most successful career. He is diligent as a pastor and forceful as a preacher. He has always been pious. He is modest, but positive. Honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, dutifulness and firmness have ever marked his way. His friends are watching his career with the most sanguine anticipations. They will not be disappointed. [Source: Transcribed by Dena W., from "Twentieth Century Sketches of the South Carolina Conference, M. E. Church, South, by Watson B. Duncan, 1901, pages 10-11"]
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