In July 1887 the Rock Hill Herald reported that John T. Roddey was
“our champion base-ballist” but Roddey had “abandoned the game and is
now in White Sulphur Springs, Va. trying to catch not a ball but a wife.
The Herald reported on Nov. 3, 1887 – “Mr. J.T. Roddey has withdrawn from the firm of W.L. Roddey and Co., and will open a cotton office and will also be a stock and bond broker.” It also announced that a corporate partnership of Roddey and Whitener Grading Contractors. On Nov. 3, 1887 Mr. J.H. Whitner and J.T. Roddey have secured the contract for grading the 3C’s railroad from Rock Hill to a point seven miles SE of Rock Hill (Cureton’s Ferry.)
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Feb. 2, 1888 – “The section of the 3C’s railroad being graded between Rock Hill and the Catawba River by Roddey and Whitner is progressing and they have now reached Anderson’s Shop on the Landsford Road and should be in Rock Hill by the end of March.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 15, 1888 – “Mr. John T. Roddey has sold his interest in the grading of the 3CCC’s rr to Whitner Brothers of Anderson who are continuing the work east of Rock Hill. Mr. Roddey now has a contract to finish the grading between Coates Tavern and Cureton’s Ferry, a distance of four miles.”
The Rock Hill Herald on May 24, 1888 further reported – “The grading of the 3CCC’s rr has been completed to the Catawba River and track laying is close behind. Whitner Brothers have completed their grading contract to the premisis of Mr. J.G. Steele, one and one half miles east of Rock Hill. They will now start at the Pine Grove Academy and complete the grading from there to Mr. Steele’s.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Nov. 1, 1888 – “Mr. John T. Roddey has finished his grading contract for the railroad in Winston Salem, N.C. and has sold his mules and outfit. Mr. W.H. Culp and S.J. Kimball and family have returned to Rock Hill.”
In 1930, John T. Roddey, a business man and former mayor of Rock Hill,
decided to build an airport on his 230 acre farm as a commercial operation.
City Directories and History: 1908 – J.T. Roddey (listed as #215), 1917 – J.T. Roddey, 1936 – Mrs. Eliza W. Roddey, 1946 – James Hill, 1963 – Byrum Exterminating Company
R&R HISTORY LINK: Whitner Home (next to the Roddey’s house)
The Herald reported on May 2, 1889 – “That Mr. John T. Roddey has let the contract to W. G. Adams for a ten room house on the lot on Main Street south of the avenue leading to the Graded School.”
The Herald contained an add on Dec. 18, 1890 – “Roddey & Whitner, Engineers and Contractors. Partners are J.T. Roddey and Wm. C. Whitner. The firm advertised surveys, plans and specification, building of railroad and bridges, and draining land.”
The Charleston News and Courier of June 7, 1890 stated – “One of the most important firms in Rock Hill is the firm of Roddey and Whitner, civil engineers and contractors. They make surveys of all kinds. Construct water works, build railroad, and construct canals. At present this firm is engaged in erecting the waterworks at Anderson and have numerous other contracts. Both are young men of rare ability and well known. They built a large portion of the 3 C’s Railroad, and Mr. Whitner built the bridge over the Catawba River where the road crosses it. ”
The Charleston News and Courier reported on June 7, 1890 – “The RH Const. Co. began business last year and has been prospering ever since. Capital stock in the company is $15,000., and the purpose of the company is to manufacture doors, sashes, blinds, to construct residences and to deal generally in lumber. The officers are: W.M. Frew, Pres., W.H. Stewart, Manager, and directors; W.L. Roddey, J.B. Johnson, A. Freidheim, R.T. Fewell, W.M. Frew, D. Hutchison and W.J. Reid. The good work of this company can be seen in the splendid construction of a number of residences in the city, noted among which is the handsome home of J.T. Roddey.
The YV Enquirer reported on Jan. 13, 1892 – “Mr. J.T. Roddey has sold his livery business on Main Street to Mr. J.C. White.”
The Herald on June 10, 1903 reported, “While in New York several weeks ago, Mr. J.T. Roddey of this city, purchased an automobile. It has been shipped and is expected to arrive in the city the latté part of this week.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on April 8, 1907 – “Mayor Roddey will shortly begin the erection of a handsome residence on his lot between Mr. J.G. Anderson and Mrs. Wm. Whitner’s home.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on June 27, 1907 – “Dr. T.C. Lucas and family will move into the Steele Cottage on Academy St., next week, Mayor Roddey and family having vacated the same. The Roddey’s will be away for he summer and hope to occupy their new home on Oakland Ave., upon their return.”
The Record reported on Oct. 31, 1907 – “Mr. John T. Roddey and family are now in their new home on Oakland Avenue.”
On Aug. 20, 1940 the RH Herald reported – “Mr. and Mrs. George Williams and family are moving today from 219 Oakland Ave., to the W.N. Cork home in Cherry Park, which they recently purchased.”
John T. Roddey (1906–1981)
Born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on December 23, 1906, John Roddey was the son of John T. Roddey, Sr. and Eliza Willis Roddey. He is survived by his widow, Angela Fisher Roddey, his daughter, Angela Roddey Holder and a grandson, John Roddey Holder.
Etching of Mr. John T. Roddey of Rock Hill, one of the city’s most prominent business leaders. Courtesy of the Charleston News and Courier – 1890.
He graduated from Davidson College in 1929 and from Harvard Law School in 1932, where he received his Bachelor of Laws Degree. He traveled extensively in Europe and attended the University of Berlin. Although afflicted by polio as a child, which resulted in paralysis of his left arm, he became an outstanding tennis player of tournament quality.
He practiced law in Rock Hill, South Carolina from 1934 until his death. He was extremely active in the civic, educational, social and sports life of his community and State. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for Winthrop College for thirty-six years and for thirty of those years, served as Secretary of the Board.
John T. was known and respected throughout the legal profession as a true southern gentleman with all the attributes of learning, dignity, respect, wisdom, honesty, integrity, and good humor that the term implies.
He will be remembered by society’s “little people” as one who cared and understood and was willing to champion their cause with all of his talents and resources, without thought of personal reward, recognition or recompense. (Information courtesy of the Un. of S.C.)
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R&R HISTORY LINK: J.T. Roddey develops the RH Country Club…
R&R HISTORY LINK: Old City Hall (where J.T. Roddey was Mayor)
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Was there a golf course where river walk is now, around 1940?