From These Roots

“Whatever estimate the church may place upon the different branches of her work, that of educating the young is second only to the preaching of the gospel. Like the work of the gospel, true education prepares the heart as well as the mind both for time and for eternity. It is far more important to plant principles of truth and right in the heart than mere intelligence in the mind. Implant both together and a well-rounded character is the result. Educating the mind gives one power and tone; but that mind becomes reliable, trustworthy, and useful in society only so far as it is guided and inspired by principles of truth and right.”– Hugh Brock in his 1894 report to the North Greenville Baptist Association

Hugh Brock was born in Jackson County Georgia on November 21, 1857, to parents William T.M. Brock and Jane Harrison Brock. He attended The University of Georgia where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1882. He was the opening speaker at UGA’s graduation ceremony that year and spoke on the topic of temperance. He was quoted in an 1882 newspaper article as saying, “Remove not the stopple, if you tipple, you’ll topple.” He married Caroline Robinson of Atlanta Georgia in 1885. The couple had one daughter together, Annie Rose, who died as an infant in 1893.

After graduating college, Mr. Brock had planned to become a lawyer. He studied law under a man named Col. Pike in Georgia. However, the law turned out not to be his calling because Col. Pike said he was, “too honest to be a lawyer”. After giving up his plans to be a lawyer, Mr. Brock taught at schools in both Georgia and the low country of South Carolina before applying for a principal’s job at North Greenville High School. He was one of two candidates in the final round and won the position because the other candidate had a missing button on his jacket and a hinge off his gate. Dr. H.B. Crawley, the trustee sent to interview the two candidates, decided on Mr. Brock because his clothing and property were in good order.

During his time at North Greenville, Mr. Brock taught several subjects and organized a prayer meeting for the boys on campus. Several young men came to Christ during those prayer meetings he led. He knew fundraising was important for the little school on the hill so he wrote to The Courier, “The school depends for success first, upon its own merit; second upon the warm support and cooperation of its friends.” He also became the first person associated with the school to be ordained as a minister. He was ordained on February 18, 1894, at Head of Tyger River Church (now known as Tyger Baptist Church). Later that year, he would begin preaching at Tyger as well.

At the end of the school year in 1895, Mr. Brock submitted his resignation. The Roe family took him into Travelers Rest where he caught the “Swamp Rabbit” train to Greenville. Not much is known about his life after he left North Greenville. He continued to serve as a teacher and principal. In 1899, he was chosen as the principal of Kirkwood Public School in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hugh L. Brock passed away on February 19, 1917. He is buried at Beaverdam Cemetary in Banks County, Georgia. His tombstone reads, “Rev. Hugh L. Brock”.

“As a teacher he had marked talent and ability, and carries with him the love and esteem of all whom he taught. As a Christian gentleman he has great worth- and as a preacher just entering the work he has remarkable power; and be it resolved furthermore, we unanimously express our regret that he felt called upon to leave us, and that our school and Association have sustained an irreparable loss.“- Resolution by The North Greenville High School trustees in 1895