Charlton B. Horger was born in Eutawville, South Carolina, the son of the late Dr. Edgar O. Horger and Inez Bowen Horger.
He graduated from the secondary schools of Orangeburg and entered the University of South Carolina from which he graduated in 1935 and then entered the Law School of the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1938.
At Carolina he was an outstanding student and active in college affairs. He was a member of a literary society, a social fraternity and other organizations. His leadership was recognized by his being selected to O.D.K., a college leadership fraternity.
Charlton Horger was a man of the church. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Orangeburg all of his life. His activities in the church included serving on the Administrative Board and as a member of the Orangeburg District of the United Methodist Church for many years. And on Sunday mornings for so very many years he taught the Men’s Bible Class of his church.
World War II interrupted his legal career, as it did so many other young men of his generation. He started as a Private in the lowest rank of the U.S. Army, then served as a Private First Class, and advanced to a commissioned officer after graduating from the Judge Advocate School at the University of Michigan.
After World War II, he was a founding member of the law firm of Felder, Rosen and Horger; this firm later became Horger, Barnwell and Reid and now includes his son Robert R. Horger, Esquire.
Lawyer Horger enjoyed a large and thriving law practice. His trial efforts carried him to the many courts throughout the state. He was adept in his trial of lawsuits, not of just one kind but any kind. This son of the low country had the advantage of an easy demeanor. He underplayed his effectiveness in the courtroom, but the results he obtained belied his modesty. Lawyer Horger knew how to try a case and he tried many of them with outstanding success.
There is something about being in the environment of the Edisto River which runs through his town of Orangeburg. The river is black, flows deep, quietly and softly and is never-ending in its continuity. Charlton Horger must have been influenced by this beautiful part of nature because in his law practice and his goals in life he never stopped until his goals were achieved. It made no difference how hard and difficult was the legal task, how much energy was required, he always accomplished his task with absolute determination and conviction.
Charlton Horger is survived by his widow, Mary Catherine Rhame Horger, his son Robert R. Horger, his daughter, Catherine Horger Wannamaker and three grandchildren.