James Spencer Verner, whose public service has kept him prominently before the people of Columbia for a number of years, was born at Walhalla, South Carolina, March 12, 1877, son of John Samuel and Mary (Phillips) Verner.
He was reared in Columbia, attended the graded schools, and graduated from South Carolina College with the class of 1897. For three years he engaged in teaching, and the greater part of the subsequent time has been spent in public office. For eight years he was United States commissioner and for four years city recorder of Columbia. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. April 29, 1903, at Columbia he married Eliza Bellamy Duffie, daughter of W. J. Duffie. They have four children: James S., Jr., William Duffie, Mary Bellamy and Ellen Douglas.
Source: History of South Carolina, Vol. IV, edited by Yates Snowden, L.L.D., Harry Gardner Cutler, General Historian, published by Lewis Publishing Co., 1920; Pg. 65
