Thomas P. Cothran
Thomas P. Cothran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office January 28, 1921 – April 11, 1934 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel E. Hydrick |
| Succeeded by | David Gordon Baker |
| 44th Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office 1918 – January 28, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | James Hoyt |
| Succeeded by | J. B. Atkinson |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Greenville County district | |
| In office 1904–1910 | |
| In office 1914 – January 28, 1921 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Perrin Cothran October 24, 1857 |
| Died | April 11, 1934 (aged 76) Abbeville, South Carolina, US |
| Relations | Thomas C. Perrin (grandfather) |
| Parent | James S. Cothran (father) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | Politician, judge |
Thomas Perrin Cothran (October 24, 1857 – April 11, 1934) was an American politician and judge. A Democrat, he served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and was later an associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Early life and education
[edit]Cothran was born on October 27, 1857, in Abbeville, South Carolina,[1] the eldest son of politician James S. Cothran and Emma Chiles (née Perrin) Cothran.[2] His maternal grandfather was Thomas C. Perrin, who served in the South Carolina General Assembly.[1]
Cothran was first educated at local private schools.[3] He studied at the University of Virginia from 1876 to 1878,[3] as well as at Harvard Law School.[2] He was admitted to the bar in 1878, after which he practiced law.[3]
Career
[edit]For a time, Cothran was a lawyer for the Southern Railway,[2] as which he was paid little, relative to the company's wealth.[4] In 1891, he moved to Greenville, where he lived with his brother.[3]
Cochran was a Democrat. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1904 to 1910, and again from 1914 until his resignation on January 28, 1921. While in the House, he coauthored a bill to end the South Carolina Dispensary.[3] From 1918 to 1921, he was Speaker of the House.[1]
In 1929, Cothran was chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.[3] Following the death of Daniel E. Hydrick, he ran in the South Carolina Supreme Court election, receiving 106 votes and winning.[5] He was an associate justice Court, serving from January 28, 1921, until his death.[6] Politically, he was an individualist.[3]
Personal life and death
[edit]On January 6, 1886, Cothran married Ione Smith.[1] He was Presbyterian, as well as a member of the Freemasons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and Kiwanis.[3] He enjoyed playing auction bridge.[7] He died on April 11, 1934, aged 76,[1] in Abbeville.[3] It is unknown where he was buried.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Costigan to Cottom". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Snowden, Yates; Cutler, Harry Gardner (1920). History of South Carolina. Lewis Publishing Company. p. 272.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Associate Justice Thomas P. Cothran Dies At Abbeville". Florence Morning News. 12 April 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ↑ The Libertarian: a Southern Magazine Upholding the Principles of Liberty. 1923. pp. 79, 80.
- ↑ "Cothran Elevated To Supreme Bench". The State. 27 January 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ↑ Reports of Cases Heard and Determined by the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Columbia, South Carolina: South Carolina. 1935. pp. 495–513.
- ↑ "Thomas P. Cothran Dies At Old Home". The Beaufort Gazette. 19 April 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
