Buck Guess was born on August 8, 1913, the son of W. S. Guess, Sr. and Annie Lou Collins Guess. After attending Blackville High School, Buck completed courses in electric welding and auto mechanics and was employed by the Glenn L. Martin Airplane Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. The second World War intervened and Buck was inducted into the US Army Air Force, where he served as an engineer gunner on a B-24 bomber and flew thirty missions over Germany and France. He was awarded four air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning to Blackville after the war ended, Buck began farming. He began restoring antique cars as a hobby, and became well known for his excellent restorations, receiving many car show awards

. Two of Buck’s restored automobiles can be viewed at the Blackville Heritage Museum.

Buck married Arie Virginia Black on July 7, 1949

Arie was the daughter of Lloyd Herman Black an Faucia Still Black. She was a graduate of Columbia College and taught biology, chemistry, and physics at Blackville High School as well as seventh grade science. She later became the high school guidance counselor. She was greatly admired by the students, and many stayed in touch with Arie after she retired. Both Buck and Arie were active in civic affairs and were devoted members of the Blackville United Methodist Church. Arie won a number of awards for her teaching and civic activities. She was given the Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator award by Columbia College in 1996. Probably her most notable honor was the Carolinian of the Year award given at a ceremony at the state capitol.     The Arie B. Guess Highway (between Blackville and Hilda) was officially named in her honor on June 8, 2007.

Solomon Blatt was born in Blackville, the son of Nathan and Molly Blatt, who were Jewish immigrants from Russia. He became an attorney, but his career was put on hold while he served as an Army supply sergeant in France during World War I. He returned to Barnwell County to the practice of law when the war was over. Mr. Blatt married Ethel Green on March 20, 1920. They had one son, Solomon Blatt, Jr. Mr. Blatt was elected to the S. C. House of Representatives from Barnwell County in 1932, and became speaker pro tempore in 1935. Mr. Blatt served for 53 consecutive years in the legislature and was honored by the Council of State Governments as the longest serving legislator in the nation.

JAMES HENRY HAMMOND

February 2, 1885 - January 21, 1970

James H. Hammond was born on the Hammond Plantation, Broadacres, a few miles northwest of Blackville. His parents were Edward Spann and Laura Dunbar Hammond. He was the grandson of the infamous SC Governor and US Senator of the same name. He was graduated from The Citadel in 1907 and received a law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1910. He captained the football squads at both schools. In 1911, he organized the south’s first Boy Scout troop. He married Jane Marshall of Columbia in 1914, and they had four children. He served in the South Carolina General Assembly as a State Representative from 1915 through 1919. He served as a Senator from Richland County from 1926 through 1934. He was Chairman of the SC Ports Authority, the Columbia Sesqui-Centennial Commission and the Statewide World War II War Bond sales. He was organizer and President of Security Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was also a member of The Citadel Board of Visitors, Charleston’s Saint Cecelia Society, and President of the Town Theatre in Columbia. He is buried at the Hammond Cemetery near Beech Island, near his father and grandfather. His brother, Oscar Dunbar Hammond, was a much beloved physician in Blackville for many years.

TROY FITZGERALD BROWN

Troy Brown was born July 2, 1971. He attended Blackville-Hilda High School, lettering in football and track and field. His mother, Richardean Brown, was a strong supporter for her son and encouraged his interest in sports. Troy helped the Hawks win the SC State Championship in 1988 with a 14-1 record. He had an outstanding college career at Marshall University. His career kickoff return average of 29.69 yards still stands as an NCAA record, as do his four kickoff returns for touchdowns. Brown was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 8th round of the 1993 draft, and played for the Patriots for 15 years. He excelled as a Wide Receiver and also served with distinction as a kickoff returner. Earning three Super Bowl rings, Troy retired as the franchise leader in receptions, with 557. He was elected by the fans to the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2012. Since 2008, Brown has been a football analyst with NBC Sports Boston, and is currently the running backs and kick returners coach for the Patriots. Brown is married (Kimberly) and the couple have three sons.

Frank James Hartzog, son of James Harvey and Lula Mae Abstance Hartzog, was born on April 12, 1904. He married Lucy Mae Cook, daughter of Hiers Martin and Maggie Parker Cook on September 1, 1931. Mr. Hartzog worked for American Telephone and Telegraph Company in several states before settling in Hilda. There he was a merchant, produce and cotton buyer and investor for over fifty years. The Hartzogs were members of the Hilda First Baptist Church. Mr. Hartzog made a pledge to his wife to do something significant for their church, which led to the couple’s donation of funds for the construction of the church fellowship hall. Mrs. Lucy Hartzog was a school teacher and a partner in the family business, handling the bookkeeping and financial matters as well as assisting in many other ways. Mr. Hartzog was a Mason for over fifty years, and a member of both the Hilda Lodge #526 and the Harmony Masonic Lodge #17. He died on July 24, 1985. Mrs. Hartzog died on October 31, 1985.

In his will, Mr. Hartzog left a sum of money for undesignated charities. His executors placed this money into the Frank J. and Lucy C. Hartzog Memorial Foundation, Inc. so that the earnings could be used to support needs in the local community. By 2017, over one million dollars had been distributed to many churches and other charitable organizations, including the Blackville Area Historical Society.