Profiles of Prominent Charlton County Citizens

JENNINGS S. HADDOCK
Dry Cleaning and Pressing, Real Estate Owner

Written April 21, 1950

A native of Nassau County, Fla., Jennings S. Haddock was born in 1899 near Kings Ferry, then a flourishing sawmill center and one of the largest trade centers in this area. His parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. J.W. (Peeler) Haddock, his father being one of the leading farmers and stock men of that territory.

Mr. Haddock grew to young manhood on the family farm receiving his education in the public schools of Nassau County. He came to Folkston in 1918 to make his home and shortly thereafter established a market and grocery business in the store building now occupied by Johnson Brothers Grocery. After successfully operating this business for about ten years he sold out to J.A. Prevatt and for a short time operated a general store in the old Rodgers Building now owned and occupied by the Folkston Pharmacy.

After disposing of the latter business Mr. Haddock moved to Kingsland where he established a dry cleaning and pressing business. He remained in our neighboring Camden County town for about six years building up a profitable and successful business. However, he had gotten Folkston's plentiful sand well embedded in his shoes and could not resist the impelling urge to return to the pleasant associations of his old home town where he knew he could find contentment, if not riches.
Selling his Kingsland business to Fiveash Bros. Mr. Haddock moved his family back to Folkston since which time he has been a loyal citizen likely to be numbered among our permanent residents. Returning to Folkston he established a dry cleaning and pressing business in 1936 which he has continued to operate at the present time. He has gradually built up an extensive business, adding to his equipment until he now has one of the most modern and completely equipped plants of the kind to be found anywhere in this section. The high quality of the work turned out is indicated by the steady patronage of his satisfied customers.

A few years ago Mr. Haddock purchased the brick building on Main Street formerly occupied by Purdom's CafÈ, where his business is now located. Finding his quarters too small to take care of his growing operation he has recently had a 35 foot extension constructed of concrete blocks added to the building, making it an attractive, well arranged structure with adequate space to take care of his large and growing business.

Since his return to Folkston Mr. Haddock has acquired considerable city real estate in addition to his home and has constructed a number of small concrete block residences for rent in the colored section of town. He has also acquired real estate in other parts of the city and it is understood that he plans to build several residences to be available for renting by white families. This project is in the initial stages and he has made no definite announcement about his plans.

Mr. Haddock was united in marriage to Miss Lennie Anderson, who was at that time a resident of Patterson, her parents later moving to Savannah. They have two sons, Jennings S., Jr. who is associated with his father in business here, and Billy, now attending Emory University, Atlanta, where he is a pre-medical student. Father, mother and both sons are members of the Methodist Church. They have a large number of friends, being one of the city's most highly regarded family groups.

April 21, 1950

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