University of North Carolina Greensboro - Pine Needles Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

Page 13 text:

THE CAROLINIAN Charles Duncan Mclver JARLES DUNCAN AIcI ER, eldest of nine children of Mat- thew Henry Mclver and Sarah J. Harrington, was born in the conminnity of old Buffalo Presbyterian Church, near San ford in Moore County, North Carolina, September 27th, 1860. In this thrifty Scotch settlement, noted for godly living and a high standard of in telligence, the Mclvers bore an honored and intlnential name. They were men of culture, and their large estates, though per- sonally directed, were worked by a well cared for body of slaves. Their homes were comfortably furnished in good taste, and liberally supplied with the best books. Matthew Henry Alclver was one of the influential men of his com- munity. He was a successful farmer of excellent judgment, an elder in Buft ' alo Church, and highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. .Kfter being fitted for college he gave up his intention of entering the State University in order to assume the management of his father ' s estate. This step he afterwards regretted, and he early impressed upon his own children the error of his youthful decision. On his return from cavalry service in the Confederate army he taught school for a brief time, and through life gave personal attention to the studies of his children, and provided at individual expense for their proper instruction. Evan- der Mclver, father of Matthew Henry and grandfather of Charles Duncan, was familiarly known as Scotch Ei ' cr Iclver. At the age of eight years he emi- grated to North Carolina from the beautiful Isle of Skye, home and final resting place of the celebrated Flora AlacDonald. By inheritance, and by suc- cessful industry, he became one of the largest land-owners in Moore County. He was an exceptionally well-read and well-informed man, and the owner of a library that would be considered large even in this day of many books. Dr. W. S. Lacy, in his historical sketch of Buffalo Church, pays high tribute to the strong character and wide influence of this able man. The mother of Charles D. Mclver survives her distinguished son. She. too, on her maternal side is of Highland Scotch ancestry and her mother ' s family name. McNeill, fills an hon- ored place in the amials of both Scotland antl America. The Harringtons, her