William Haselden Ellerbe

William Haselden Ellerbe (April 7, 1862 – June 2, 1899) was an American politician. A Democrat, he was the 86th Governor of South Carolina.

Ellerbe was the brother of Congressman J. Edwin Ellerbe. He entered politics in 1890 and was soon elected South Carolina Comptroller General. A member of Benjamin Tillman's circle, he became Governor. He died while serving as Governor, from tuberculosis.

Early life and education Ellerbe was born on April 7, 1862, in Marion, South Carolina, and Sarah E. (née Haselden) Ellerbe. His younger brother was politician J. Edwin Ellerbe. He was of English ancestry. His family is the namesake of Ellerbe, North Carolina. He grew up in the Pee Dee region. He was educated by private tutors. He worked as a planter and a businessman.

Politics Ellerbe was a Democrat. On March 5, 1897, he signed into law the creation of a state income tax, and on February 19, 1898, he signed into law segregation of trains in the state. He won the 1898 gubernatorial election, dying during his second term. He was also the uncle of James Douglass Manning, and the first cousin and brother-in-law of James Haselden Manning. He died on June 2, 1899, aged 37, in Sellers, from tuberculosis, and was buried at Haselden Cemetery, in Latta. His funeral was simple, lacking a eulogy.