Hamlin Beattie (Greenville, SC)

Photo of Hamlin Beattie, president and founder of the Greenville National Bank.

Hamlin Beattie (May 6, 1835 – Jan 8, 1914)

Biography

Residence of Hamlin Beattie at East North Street, Greenville, South Carolina, ca1913. Fountain Fox Beattie married Charlestonian Emily Edgeworth Hamlin in 1834 and built her a home.

• Name: Hamlin Beattie
• Birth: May 6, 1835. Greenville, South Carolina
• Death: January 8, 1914. Greenville, South Carolina

Early life and family

Hamlin Beattie was born on May 6, 1835, the son of F.F. and Emily Beattie. Fountain Fox Beattie married Charlestonian Emily Edgeworth Hamlin in 1834 and built her a home. F.F. Beattie was a partner in a Greenville dry goods store. By the time of the Civil War, F.F. Beattie & Company was “as good as the Bank of Charleston.”

Hamlin Beattie graduated from South Carolina College in 1854 and then entered the junior class at Princeton, finishing there in 1856. He returned to Greenville and studied law under Governor B.F. Perry and was admitted to the bar in November 1857. He intended to practice law, but went into the mercantile business with his brother, William Beattie. Their store was located on the corner of Main Street and McBee Avenue, later occupied by the National Bank of Greenville. Around 1910, that structure was replaced by a handsome one built for the First National Bank.

In 1858, Mr. Beattie married Miss Sarah Cleveland.

Banking career

In 1872, Mr. Beattie established the National Bank of Greenville, capital stock $100,000, one of the first banks in the upper section of the state and the first in Greenville. The National Bank of Greenville was only the 12th national bank in South Carolina. Mr. Beattie had served as an agent for the Bank of Charleston while conducting his store, performing banking services for Greenville including the selling of New York exchange. Mr. Beattie remained president of the bank until his death in January 1914.

When the charter of the bank expired in 1892, Mr. Beattie paid to the stockholders a cash dividend of 100%, or $100,000, thus repaying them the full amount they originally invested with him in 1892. The stockholders retained possession of their stock which was worth a considerable premium. Mr. Beattie was proud of this rare business feat.

In April 1891, the Piedmont Savings and Investment Company of Greenville capital stock $100,000, a new enterprise chartered by the Secretary of State, was organized and officers elected. In June 1895, the company had assets over $125,000, with Hamlin Beattie, president; F.F. Capers, secretary and treasurer; Julius C. Smith, vice president; and L.W. Parker, manager of loans. Interest on deposits was 5% paid in the office in the National Bank of Greenville.

Other career highlights

Besides his banking business, Mr. Beattie took an active interest in civic and municipal affairs and in the organization of textile enterprises. He was one of the original directors of the Piedmont Manufacturing Company, assisting Col. H.P. Hammett in its organization in 1874. It became one of the leading cotton mill plants in the upper part of South Carolina. Until his death, he was a director in this company and for more than a score of years, served as vice president. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Graniteville Manufacturing Company of Augusta during the presidency of H.H. Hickman, who was a friend of Mr. Beattie's.

Later life and death

On January 8, 1914, Mr. Hamlin Beattie, pioneer business man of upper South Carolina and member of one of the leading families of this section, died at his home in Greenville. He was one of South Carolina's pioneer bankers, and one of the builders of Greenville in the days following the war and during reconstruction. His wife and one son, Mr. W.E. Beattie, and one brother, Mr. J.E. Beattie survived him. The late Mr. H. Cleveland Beattie was a son, and the late William Beattie, a brother of Mr. Hamlin Beattie. He took an active interest in religious matters, serving as vestryman in Christ Episcopal Church for many years. On Saturday, January 10th, the various banks of the city closed their doors in respect for Mr. Beattie from 10:45 until noon, the time of his funeral. He was buried at Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery in Greenville.

In 1946, transportation officials announced that Church Street would be extended and the Beattie house demolished. Women’s Club members asked that it be given to them. The city agreed. It paid $92,500 for the property and moved the house about a block north to newly created Beattie Place in 1950. It flourished in its new location, but in 1983, U.S. Shelter sought the Beattie Place land for an office building. It was moved again, this time to a secluded site off Bennett Street.

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, Hamlin Beattie was involved with the following banks:

• National Bank/First NB, Greenville, SC (Charter 1935): President 1872-1913
• The Piedmont Savings and Investment Company of Greenville, SC: President 1895...1913

$20 Series 1882 Brown Back bank note with pen signatures of Perry Beattie, Cashier and Hamlin Beattie, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

$10 Series 1902 Date Back bank note with stamped signature of Hamlin Beattie, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

Sources

• Hamlin Beattie on Findagrave.com
• Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
• Greenville News, "Beattie House Has Expanded, Moved Throughout the Years", accessed Jan. 26, 2024.
• National Register of Historic Places, F.F. Beattie House, accessed Jan. 26, 2024.