Founding of the China Grove Roller Mill
Located at 308 North Main Street, China Grove, the China Grove Roller Mills, Inc. was organized in 1883 by John C. Corriher as a combination grist mill and saw mill. It was originally located in a building behind the A M. Hanna house which is now the site of Hanna Park on Main Street. In 1895, five investors, M. M. Ketchie, G. A. J. Sechler, J. C. Corriher, C. W. Bostian and I. Frank Patterson transformed the mill into a publicly owned company. Stock in the Roller Mill traded at $100 a share.
The Officers and Workforce
Mr. John Corriher served as the Corporation's first president, being succeeded by Mr. Ketchie in 1898. That same year, John F. Cooper moved to China Grove and took a job at the mill earning 50 cents a day. He soon became the secretary, treasurer and general manager. Within three years Mr. Cooper had converted the mill from steam to electric power. Cooper retired in 1941. He was succeeded by his son, Whit Cooper, who served until his death in 1964. His daughter, Mrs. Rogers Cooper-Sherrill was president of the mill until her death.
Jack Miller worked for the mill for 48 years as clerk, and manager, and was the last president serving the mill when it closed in July of 1995.
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