Carol Harper writes: My Grandaddy, John Henry Harris, built this cotton gin along with gins in Jesup, Cordele, and Sylvester. My father, William H. (Bill) Cooper, managed the Patterson Gin and was chief ginner there for many years. After my Grandaddy’s death and the devastation of cotton crops by the boll weevil, the gin was dismantled, my parents purchased the business, and what was once a cotton gin became a farm supply and custom fertilizer spreading operation. My two younger brothers, Bill Jr. and Charlie, and I considered ourselves very fortunate to have grown up surrounded by the sight and smell of King Cotton. Our Mother, Jean Harris Cooper, managed the gin office while Daddy ginned the cotton. Today, once again, I am proud to write cotton grows on my farm in Pierce County.
I was interested to know whether anyone has information about a Henry Jackson Tyre, a farmer and businessman of Patterson, thanks!
Ginning may have been good to you, but the nasty cotton. Picking is a thorn in my mind.
Alamo,GA still has an old Gin standing
My Grandaddy, John Henry Harris, built this cotton gin along with gins in Jesup, Cordele, and Sylvester.My father, William H. (Bill) Cooper, managed the Patterson Gin and was chief ginner there for many years. After my Grandaddy’s death and the devastation of cotton crops by the boll weevil, the gin was dismantled, my parents purchased the business, and what was once a cotton gin became a farm supply and custom fertilizer spreading operation. My two younger brothers, Bill Jr. and Charlie, and I considered ourselves very fortunate to have grown up surrounded by the sight and smell of King Cotton. Our Mother, Jean Harris Cooper, managed the gin office while Daddy ginned the cotton. Today, once again, I am proud to write cotton grows on my farm in Pierce County.
My farther recently passed. While going though his belongs I came across a pocket knife that more then likely belonged to my grandfather.
On the knife is Bill Cooper , Harris Gin Co of Patterson Ga.
Can you tell me when the Gin shut down?
Brian,
Where, exactly, is this gin located? I can’t seem to locate it on any map.
Was it ever served by the railroad?
Thanks.
John Degnan Scaler164@comcast.net
John, it was very near the railroad track, yes.
It was never served by a rail line.
Oh, okay. I thought the tracks were nearby. My mistake.
There is a railroad just a few hundred yards behind the gin. The cotton bales were transported by semi-trucks from the gin, never by rail.
Thanks. I was only guessing. Thanks for sharing the history.
I remember this gin as a working business while I was a child and teenager. It was one business that could be depended upon to sponsor school programs.
Cotton trailers were cleaned up and used at the Halloween Carnival for hayrides from the time I started school until I graduated. My parents staunchly supported Pierce County Schools from the day I entered until their deaths. Three of their children and three grandchildren matriculated there.
My family has farmed in Ben Hill County on the same farm since 1936. Mostly pecans, but cotton and peanuts are still prominent, too.
Carol, your parents were the sweetest , nicest people! Any time I was at the gin or your home, I always felt very welcome!
My husband, Fred Deal, remembers going to this Gin with his Dad (Leary Deal) when he was a young boy to sell cotton. They would sit and wait for the cotton to be ginned to determine how much they would be paid for the truck load. Seeing the photo brought back wonderful memories of those days. Thank you Brian for what you do… your work is a TREASURE!
BEAUTIFUL
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