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Soperton/Treutlen...A
New County
Soperton was therefore
the logical place to locate a county seat. In fact,
the development of the town was actually one of the
justifications for the creation of a new county. Citizens,
depending on where they lived in the area, were having
to travel to either Mt. Vernon or Swainsboro to transact
county business.
Another reason for the
development of a new county would be to allow local
citizens more political influence. Neil Gillis, Sr.,
a large landowner, was already a strong political
force in Emanuel County while also serving as director
and vice president of the new Bank of Soperton (organized
in 1903). Gillis worked hard for several years to
campaign for this new county which would give local
citizens more influence. In 1917, the general assembly
voted to create a new county from parts of Montgomery
and Emanuel counties. The voters ratified the amendment
in 1918. In the same year, county officers were elected;
and the new county was ready to begin business on
Jan. 1, 1919.
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