Henry McIver (chief justice)

Henry McIver
Chief Justice of South Carolina
In office December 1, 1891 – January 12, 1903
Preceded by	William D. Simpson
Succeeded by	Young J. Pope
Associate Justice of South Carolina
In office May 19, 1877 – December 1, 1891
Preceded by	Ammiel J. Willard
Succeeded by	Young J. Pope
Personal details
Born	September 25, 1826 Society Hill, South Carolina
Died	January 12, 1903 (aged 76) Cheraw, South Carolina
Spouse(s)	Caroline Harrington Powe

Henry McIver was a chief justice on the South Carolina Supreme Court.^[1] He was born on September 25, 1826, near Society Hill, South Carolina to Alexander McIver and Mary Hanford McIver.^[2] He moved to Cheraw, South Carolina in 1836 with his family. In 1846, he graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina). He studied law with his father after college, and he was admitted to practice law in December 1847. he married Caroline H. Powe on June 7, 1849. When McIver's father died in July 1850, Governor Seabrook appointed McIver to complete his father's term as the solicitor (prosecutor) for the eastern circuit of the state. At the end of the term, McIver did not run for a full term; however, the successor himself died in office, and McIver was again appointed to conclude the unexpired term. At the end of that second term, McIver was elected to a full term. He continued being re-elected to the position until 1868 when he was removed from office as part of Reconstruction. McIver served in the Confederate army and returned to his law practice after the Civil War. On May 19, 1877, he was elected as an associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court to fill the unexpired term of the Justice Willard who had become chief justice of the court. The General Assembly elected McIver unanimously to a full term in December 1879. He served in that position until he was elected and immediately sworn in as chief justice on December 1, 1891, replacing Chief Justice Simpson.^[3]

McIver died on January 12, 1903.^[4] He is buried at Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery, Cheraw, South Carolina.^[5]

References

1. "True Patriot; Able Jurist". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. January 13, 1903. p. 1.
2. "Chief Justice M'Iver Dead". The Watchman. Sumter, South Carolina. January 14, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
3. "M'Iver Gets Every Vote". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. December 2, 1891. p. 1. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
4. "Henry McIver". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. January 13, 1903. p. 4.
5. "Henry McIver (1826-1903)". Find a Grave. Retrieved September 25, 2014.