Henry Sims Hartzog was born 17 July 1866, the son of Samuel and Mary Owen Hartzog in Barnwell County, South Carolina. He was graduated from the Citadel in 1886. From 1886-87, he served as principal of Allendale High School. In 1887, he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky and, in 1889, received a divinity degree. He married Cornellia Harley of Allendale the following year; they had six sons. In 1893, he accepted the position of superintendent at Johnston Institute, a combined high school and boarding school in Edgefield county. On 15 September 1897, Hartzog was elected President of Clemson College by the Board of Trustees. During Hartzog's presidency, enrollment grew making Clemson College the largest agricultural and mechanical college in the South by the fall of 1899. The physical plant was also enlarged. John Heisman was hired as the college's football coach, and the team began winning over archrivals such as South Carolina College.
Amid grievances between students and faculty over charges brought before the discipline committee, complaints about the administration of college affairs, and demands from students, Hartzog submitted his resignation in 1902. The Board of Trustees investigated the charges against Hartzog, found them to be invalid, and asked him to stay. Hartzog refused and his resignation was accepted in August 1902. After serving as President of the University of Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist College, Hartzog died in St. Louis, Missouri, 15 December 1953.
From the description of Henry Sims Hartzog presidential records. 1897-1902. (Clemson University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 24607789
