Eleazer, J. M. (James M.), 1895-1983

James M. Eleazer was born December 19, 1895. He majored in agronomy at Clemson College and served as a county extension agent from 1917-1945 and began writing agricultural columns in 1918. From 1946 until his retirement in December 1961 he worked at Clemson as an extension service information specialist with USDA. His popular column, "Seen Along the Roadside," appeared in South Carolina's daily and weekly newspapers. His radio programs were equally popular. He published informative articles in regional and national farm magazines. The American Association of Agricultural College editors twice selected Eleazer's columns as tops in the nation. In 1957 he was selected by The Progressive Farmer magazine for the award, Man of the Year in South Carolina agriculture. He wrote or edited five titles: Seen Along the Roadside (1944-1960); Farm and Folks (1947-1960); A Dutch Fork Farm Boy (1952); Our Land is Our Life (ed., 1955); and Fifty years along the Roadside (1968). He died in February, 1983.