A thriving community when "cotton was king," Laurens County has endured the ravages of several wars, the Great Depression, and the devastation of the boll weevil, and today retains the indomitable spirit of her earliest settlers. Although no longer plagued by such hardships, Laurens Countians are still bonded by the ideals and rights for which their ancestors fought, and work equally hard to maintain a community of which they and their children can be proud. Laurens County was created on December 10, 1807, and named for Col. John Laurens, an aide to Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution. The original county seat was located at Sumpterville, about five miles west of Dublin near the banks of Turkey Creek. The history of the county has been marked by a thriving plantation system in the 19th century, an unyielding service to her country in wartime, an economic boom with the coming of the railroad, the establishment of successful local industries, the building of numerous churches and schools, and participation in a wide variety of sports and recreational activities. Many Laurens Countians have achieved fame and celebrity, whether as courageous soldiers on the battlefield or triumphant athletes on the playing field, and they are highlighted in this volume along with local landmarks and memorable community events.