Scotland County NcArchives Biographies.....McArn, Archibald Hugh 1865 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Modlin n/a November 2, 2011, 9:42 pm Source: Google Author: Men of Mark in South Carolina Archibald Hugh McArn, 1865-? Transcribed by Mary Modlin. This book is available for online reading or PDF download from Google. McARN, ARCHIBALD HUGH, since 1893 pastor of the Presbyterian church at Cheraw, South Carolina, was born in Chesterfield county, South Carolina, September 21, 1865. His father, Daniel Blue McArn, was a merchant, mayor of Cheraw, well known for his integrity, firmness and public spirit. His mother, Mrs. Nannie Pope (Hunter) McArn, came of a distinguished Kentucky family, and had a strong influence upon her son in forming his moral and spiritual ideals and shaping his life. His father's family are descended from Archibald McArn (his father's grandfather), who came from Scotland and settled in what is now Scotland county, North Carolina, in 1760. His great-grandmother, whose maiden name was Blue, was a daughter of John Blue, who also came from Scotland to North Carolina, in 1740. On his mother's side his great-grandfather, Christopher Greenup, governor of Kentucky, came from England to Kentucky about 1765. Another great-grandfather on his mother's side, James Hunter, was a judge in Kentucky and wrote law books which were considered authorities in his time. Born in the country and trained to regular tasks of farm work while still very young, he had a normal boyhood. He was fond of all out-of-door sports, but he had also inherited a taste for books, and he was an omnivorous reader. Poetry and fiction were his delight in boyhood and youth. Since he became a man, history and English literature, in its development as well as in its great masterpieces, have been his favorite lines of reading. After a high shcool course, he was admitted to Davidson college, North Carolina, and was graduated in 1888 with the degree of A. B. For a year, 1888 to 1889, he studied theology at Union seminary, in Richmond, Virginia. From 1889 to 1891 he continued his theological studies at Princeton seminary, New Jersey, and received the degree of B. D. in 1891. Post-graduate courses in philosophy, under ex-President James McCosh and President Francis L. Patton, were pursued iwthout regard to an advanced degree. His first pastorate was at Wilson, North Carolina, where he was settled in June, 1891, as pastor of the Presbyterian church. In January, 1893, he accepted the call of the Presbyterian church at Cheraw, and for the last fifteen years he has been the active, effective, and well-loved minister of that church. He has filled but two pastorates. The local newspaper of Wilson said of Mr. McArn: "During his sojourn here he stamped upon all hearts the imprint of a pure, high-toned, most excellent minister"; "he is a brilliantly gifted speaker." And when he was called to the First Presbyterian church of Rock Hill, South Carolina, after he had been for nine years pastor at Cheraw, his church passed a remarkable series of resolution in asking the prebytery not to dissolve the pastoral relation: "He has shown the activity of youth combined with the judgment of mature years. He has been known as a pastor and presbyter without any taint of bigotry, and has studiously pursued the peace and harmony of the church and of other denominations without hielding any doctrine or condoning any breach of church discipline." "During the nine years of his pastorate the membership of the church has increased nearly forty per cent. It is the unanimous desire of the church and congregation that he decline the call and remain with us." He remained at Cheraw, where his work seems to be prospered; and his hold upon the people of the community grows stronger with every added year of service. Mr. McArn has been since 1894 stated clerk of the Pee Dee presbytery. He is a trustee of Davidson college, North Carolina. He was moderator of his presbytery in 1895, and moderator of the synod of South Carolina in 1905. He is chairman of various executive committees of the presbytery. He has been a member of the board of education of Chesterfield county, a member of the board of trustees for the Cheraw schools, and he represents Chesterfield county on the executive committee of the Pee Dee Historical association. An address which he made in 1893 as a member of the Union of Confederate veterans of Chesterfield ocunty was by them published in book form. In political preference hs is a Democrat. At college he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While in college and seminary, baseball and football were his favorite forms of exercise for recreation; but since student days, tennis has taken their place. He was married January 7, 1894, to Mary C. Malloy; and they have two children. To young men he says: "Have a purpose in life. Study all questions for yourself, and having reached your own convictions, strive for them, without regard to popularity or reward." Additional Comments: Source: Hemphill, J. C., Men of Mark in South Carolina, Ideals of American Life, A Collection of Biographies of Leading Men of the State, Volume III, Men of Mark Publishing Company, Washington, D. C., 1908, pp. 277-279. 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