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World
War II
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor , 1941, both men and women
of Early County answered the call to arms: many citizens secured
jobs in factories . Still others played an important part in
providing food and other vital crops from the country's fertile
farm lands. In a sense, the whole country became mobilized.
Although peace came in 1945, world tensions continued and our
young men had been stationed at out - posts all over the
world. Many have given lives.
In
World War II, the following made the supreme sacrifice:
| Daniel
L. Black
Paul
Craft
Raymond
Hamilton Duke
Phillip Grier
Jesse Clarence
Harris
Bill Hudspeth
Releford
Peterson
Dwight Floyd
Pyle
John Thurman
Rabon
James Walton
Renfoon
Harold Rodgers |
Oliver
Edmund Sheffield
George
Lynwood Smith
Horace Samuel
Smith
James Brantley
Soloman
Jack L. Tedder
Willie J.
Temples
Idus Felder
Webb
Eddie White ,
Jr.
Robert Roscoe
Williams
George William
Whatley, Jr. |
Post
War Period
The past two decades
brought industry to Early County through the efforts of the
Chamber of Commerce and dedicated citizens; prospective industries
were advised of the advantages of an adequate labor force, good
climate and a river which offers power, water, and cheap
transportation. After many contacts ,success came with the
location of a number of new industries in Blakely, on Spring Creek
and along the Chattahoochee River, in a giant industrial complex.
Thus, as new enterprises were added to Early County's already
existing industries, the economy was greatly improved. The
county's peanut industry has continued to grow, with additional
pure- bred cattle being secured each year. Timber and cotton
also maintained their importance.
Gratitude for 150 years of life in Early County, imbued with the
faith of the pioneer, the determination of the farmer, the
fortitude of the soldier, the integrity of the business man, the
religious fervor of the God- fearing citizen, the hospitality of
the homes, and the joys of the everyday life, we thank God.
It is all these traits which have given strength to the way of
life as it has been molded here.
Changes which have taken place in Early County in the past have
had an effect upon the county. These changes occurred mostly in
the position in which we excel in the farm industry. The
shift to industrial growth in the county can contribute to the
development of a strong and well -balanced rural and urban economy
in the future.
Trends
in Agriculture
During the past ten to fifteen years agriculture in Early County
has become consolidated on the larger and more mechanized farms.
At the same time, both the total acreage devoted to farming and
the number of people employed in agriculture have declined.
In the 1950's, 306,000 acres, over 90 percent of the county, were
devoted to farming. By 1959, there were about 276 ,000 acres
of farmland in the county. This total represented about 82 percent
of the county's 336,640 acres of land.
Link
to Census Information: 1940-1990
Note: As
taken from the Collections of the Early County Historical Society
1979 Volume II.
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