Elmore, F. H. (Franklin Harper), 1799-1850

Lawyer, banker, and U.S. representative from South Carolina.

F. H. Elmore, of Walterboro, Columbia, and Charleston, S.C., was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1836-1839; president of the State Bank of South Carolina, 1839-1850; and U.S. Senator, appointed to succeed John C. Calhoun, from 11 April 1850 until his death on 29 May 1850. He married Harriet Chesnut Taylor (fl. 1819-1865) in 1827.

Biographical Note

Franklin Harper Elmore (1799-1850) was born in Laurens, South Carolina, the son of John Archer Elmore (1762-1834) and his first wife, Mary Anne Saxon (born 1770). John A. Elmore moved from Virginia to South Carolina and later to Alabama. Franklin H. Elmore graduated from South Carolina College in 1819, studied law in Columbia, South Carolina, and was admitted to the bar there in 1821. He was solicitor of the southern circuit, 1822-1836; member of the United States House of Representatives, 1836-1839; and president of the State Bank of South Carolina, 1839-1850. He was appointed to the United States Senate in 1850 to succeed John C. Calhoun, but served only from 11 April 1850 until his death in Washington, 28 May 1850.

Elmore was also interested in southern manufacturing. He was trustee of Nesbitt Manufacturing Company and was also involved with the King's Mountain Iron Works, both of which employed slave labor.

Elmore married Harriet Chesnut Taylor in 1827. They had twelve children: John Taylor Elmore (1828-1830); Sally Canty Elmore (born 1829) married Thomas Taylor; Harriet Chesnut Elmore (1830-1835?); Mary Singleton Elmore (1831-1840); Ellen Sophia Elmore (born 1833); Cornelia Caroline Elmore (born 1835) married Brevard Davidson; Franklin Harper Elmore (born 1836) married Mary Goodwin; Harriet Chesnut Elmore (born 1837); Grace Stark Elmore (1839-1912); Mary Susan Elmore (born 1841); Albert Rhett Elmore (born 1843) married Alexina Taylor; Rosa Ann Elmore (born 1846) married Mr. Hayne.