South Carolina Governor, U.S. Senator. During the Civil War, he left school in 1864, joined the Confederate Army but was incapacitated by a serious illness that caused the loss of his left eye. As a wealthy plantation owner with 2500 acres of land, he founded the Edgefield Agricultural Club in 1884 and the Edgefield County Agricultural Society in 1885. Along with his brother Congressman George Tillman, he also worked with the state to do more for farmers with agricultural problems. In 1890, he was elected as a Democrat the 84th Governor of South Carolina, serving until 1894. As Governor, he helped with the establishment of Clemson Agricultural College, the State Railroad Commission was empowered to fix rates, taxes were made more equitable and public education funding was increased. Also the work hours in cotton and woolen factories were limited to sixty-six hours a week or eleven hours a day and approval was secured for a dispensary system to sell liquor. After leaving office, he was elected as Democrat to the U.S. Senate, in 1895 and served until his death.
South Carolina Governor, U.S. Senator. During the Civil War, he left school in 1864, joined the Confederate Army but was incapacitated by a serious illness that caused the loss of his left eye. As a wealthy plantation owner with 2500 acres of land, he founded the Edgefield Agricultural Club in 1884 and the Edgefield County Agricultural Society in 1885. Along with his brother Congressman George Tillman, he also worked with the state to do more for farmers with agricultural problems. In 1890, he was elected as a Democrat the 84th Governor of South Carolina, serving until 1894. As Governor, he helped with the establishment of Clemson Agricultural College, the State Railroad Commission was empowered to fix rates, taxes were made more equitable and public education funding was increased. Also the work hours in cotton and woolen factories were limited to sixty-six hours a week or eleven hours a day and approval was secured for a dispensary system to sell liquor. After leaving office, he was elected as Democrat to the U.S. Senate, in 1895 and served until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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