Robert Maxcy McCown (March 7, 1864 - November 28, 1948) was an American politician and farmer who was Secretary of State of South Carolina.[1][2]
Robert Maxcy McCown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 34th Secretary of State of South Carolina | |
| In office 1907–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Jesse T. Gantt |
| Succeeded by | William Dove |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of South Carolina |
| Occupation | Politician, farmer |
Prior to serving as Secretary of State he worked as Assistant Clerk of the South Carolina Senate (1890–1903) and was a member of the South Carolina State Constitutional Convention of 1895.[2][3] The Convention of 1895's purpose was to roll back Reconstruction Era reforms instituted after the Civil War to protect African American rights. At the convention, Robert McCown was notable for introducing a resolution in support of female suffrage. This resolution was voted down by the general body and women would not be allowed to vote in South Carolina until the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.[4] However, he ignored pleas by Delegate Robert Smalls and others and supported the ratification of the new constitution that intentionally worked to disempower African American men and prevent them from holding office.[5][6]
Robert McCown was married twice. First to Ms. Sallie Jane Galloway. The two had five children: Marion Ryan McCown, James Leon McCown, Emma Louise McCown, Moultrie Trescott McCown, and Cyril McCown. After Salie Galloway's death, Robert McCown married a distant cousin, MayBelle McCown. The two spent the latter half of their lives in Tryon, North Carolina.[2] In Tryon, Robert and MayBelle were charter members of and helped to establish Tryon Presbyterian Church.[7]
References
edit- ^ History of Secretary of State's Office (PDF), South Carolina House of Representatives Oversight Committee, 2019, p. 11.
- ^ a b c Clement, Louise (1966). The McCown Family of the PeeDee Section of South Carolina. Columbia, South Carolina: The R.L. Bryan Company. p. 100.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Journal of the Constitutional conventions of the state of South Carolina". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. p. 738. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Journal of the Constitutional conventions of the state of South Carolina". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. p. 129. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
- ^ "Journal of the Constitutional conventions of the state of South Carolina". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. p. 270-271. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "The Old and the New". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. December 4, 1895. p. 9. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Lattimore, Robin (2013). How Firm A Foundation The Story of Tryon Presbyterian Church. Rutherfordton, North Carolina: Hilltop Publications. pp. 2, 5, 8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)