William Haselden Ellerbe (1862-1899) Governor of South Carolina William H. Ellerbe was born on April 7, 1862 in Marion, South Carolina. He attended Wofford College in Spartanburg and Vanderbilt University. He was a Planter and Businessman. Ellerbe served as Comptroller General of South Carolina from 1890 to 1892. During his first term as Governor (1887-1889) the General Assembly passed legislation establishing a state income tax. Ellerbe died in office on June 2, 1899. He is buried in the Haselden Cemetery in Sellers, South Carolina (Dillon County).