A Change in Management at the Lois Cotton Mill

 107 years ago…news concerned the Lois Cotton Mill where there was a shift in control of the mill among the members of the Geer family out of South Carolina who owned the mill at that time (the second owners of the mill). One brother resigned as president and another brother who had been the superintendent of the mill and lived here in Douglasville, Major Earnest Geer, took over in the top spot. Major in this instance does not indicate military rank but was Mr. Geer’s first name. He and his family lived here in Douglas County for several years and were very involved. Geer eventually served a term as Douglasville’s mayor. I provide the complete text of the article below:

“At a recent meeting of the directors of the Lois Cotton Mill, J.M. Geer of Greenville, South Carolina, President of the mill tendered his resignation.

This was a complete surprise to the directors, but after hearing Mr. Geer’s explanation of his action his resignation was accepted, and his brother, M.E. Geer, the present manager and Vice President was elected President in his stead, and JM Geer was elected Vice President. An executive committee consisting of A.W. McLarty, J.T. Duncan, and L.C. Upshaw were also elected at this meeting. In the promotion of M.E. Geer to the presidency of the company the directors feel that they are bestowing a merited endorsement of his successful management from the building of the mill to the present.

The Lois Mill has had a somewhat remarkable career, having been built and started during the panic days of 1907-1908. It moved steadily on when other financial enterprises were collapsing, and many old established mills were being forced to close down. And it now enjoys a most excellent credit and is regarding in the east, where many of its largest stockholders live, as one of the safest and most promising financial enterprises of its size in the South.

The remarkable success of the new President has gained for him an enviable reputation among the stockholders and directors of the mill, and he is receiving congratulatory letters from quite a number of them who live away from here. Mr. Geer has proven himself a most valuable citizen since he cast his fortune among us in 1907. While at all times an alert and keen businessman he has never been too busy to lend a helping hand in every laudable enterprise that had for its object the upbuilding of Douglasville. And we understand that he is now planning, from his new vantage ground, to do more for us than he has ever done – in the promotion of a new cotton mill enterprise, which will be as large or larger than the present mill.

We most earnestly urge all our citizens and businessmen to back up Mr. Geer in his effort to make Douglasville one of the most prosperous towns in all this section of Georgia.”