Nathaniel B. Dial

Nathaniel Barksdale Dial (April 24, 1862 – December 11, 1940) was an American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States Senate from South Carolina.

Early life and education Dial was born on April 24, 1862, near Laurens, South Carolina, the son of Albert Dial and Martha Rebecca (née Barksdale) Dial. He grew up on a farm. Educated at common schools, he studied at the University of Richmond, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating from the lattermost in 1883. He founded numerous companies in South Carolina. From 1887 to 1891, and again in 1895, he was the mayor of Laurens. While mayor, he brought several utilities to the city, such as water and telecommunications. He opposed child labor laws, minimum wage, and bonuses to World War I veterans. and was buried at Laurens City Cemetery. An archive of his papers is held by Duke University.