S. B. Poston: Johnsonville's Modern Founder

For more on S. B. Poston, visit Johnsonville SC History on the web

In 1912, Sylvester Briley "S.B." Poston (1867-1932) divided a sandy pasture into lots and held a land sale, starting what would become the downtown area of Johnsonville. 

Sylvester Briley Poston

S. B. Poston was born in the Half Moon community, the son of Simon and Sarah Bartell Poston. For a number of years as a young man, he was engaged with his father in large merchandising, turpentine, and farming interests. He married Claudia Belle Weathersbee in 1900, and in 1901 the two made their home in what would later become Johnsonville. Claudia was a native of Williston, SC.  Their home was regarded as the first home in Johnsonville and S.B. and Claudia were the first residents of the newly planned town.  

It was no doubt S.B.'s experience with merchandising that led him to hatch the idea of a centralized town plan to conduct such matters 11 years after establishing his homestead. The County Record newspaper covered the land sale, describing S.B. Poston as a "public-spirited and progressive citizen." At the sale, 100 business and residential lots were offered and free trains brought up to 5000 people to the area for the sale.  At the end of the day, 77 lots were sold at an estimated total of $18,000 - over $440,000 today if adjusted for inflation.

S.B. and Claudia were both founding members of the Johnsonville Methodist Church, originally located at the intersection of Broadway and Highway 41.  He was instrumental in the construction of both the sanctuary and the parsonage, giving freely of his time and money.

S.B. Poston (left) stands with other workers in a store in the "Poston Block" at the NW corner of Broadway St. and Railroad Ave

After the founding in 1912, he continued to conduct extensive merchandising, lumber, and farming interests.  He was also involved in the banking industry.  In 1913, brick construction began near the railroad and cement sidewalks were laid.  The northwest corner of Broadway and Railroad was called the Poston Block and was built and owned by S. B. Poston.  The Times called it "as substantial a block as money can make." 

The corner at Railroad Avenue was occupied by the Farmers and Merchants Bank, established in 1911.  Officers were J.S. McClam (president), S.B. Poston, and C.J. Rollins. The middle wareroom of the building was the general store of S.B. Poston, filled with merchandise and groceries.  Next door was the Johnsonville Hardware Company where S.B. Poston served as president.  Arthur Rogers was the general manager.  All of the stores and banks had heavy plate glass windows and the walls of the corner building were 17 inches thick in preparation that a second story may be added later. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, circa 1915

S. B. Poston (Left) poses with workers in the storage area of his General Store

S.B. Poston died at the infirmary in Florence on Dec 23, 1933. He is buried at Old Johnsonville Methodist Church cemetery between Johnsonville and Hemingway.

Children of S.B. and Claudia were Ella Russell Poston Hyman, Sullivan Weathersbee Poston, Emmie Belle Poston Taylor, Lucia Smith Poston Stoneman, and Sylvester Poston Jones.

Information compiled by Josh Dukes - view more at www.johnsonvilleschistory.org 

"Johnsonville South Carolina 1911" by John Carroll Doyle depicts S.B. Poston
and the land sale of 1912 that led to Johnsonville's current downtown commercial area.

County Record article from 1912, describing the land sale that created
Johnsonville's business district