John Thrasher: Georgia Pioneer, Politician, and Philanthropist

by David E. Sumner

John James ("Cousin John") Thrasher moved to the area of north Georgia now known as Atlanta in 1839 when it was heavily forested and uninhabited. He had a $25,000 contract from the Western and Atlantic Railroad to build a railroad embankment. Today he is recognized by historians as among the three earliest pioneers of Atlanta and the founder and first mayor of Norcross, Georgia. As Atlanta’s first merchant, the site of his store on Marietta Street is commemorated today by a state historic marker reading, “Thrasherville—Where Atlanta Began.” He became a leader in Atlanta’s civic affairs, Fulton County representative to the General Assembly from 1859 to 1863, and a benefactor of churches and charities. When he died in 1899, his Atlanta Constitution obituary "Cousin John was a great speculator…. At times he made a fortune, then again he would lose his fortune. In all it is said…he made three or four large fortunes and lost them.... now his death carries away next to the last of the three famous pioneers who were here before any of the people making this their home had ever heard of the place." This book captures the voice of Thrasher so well, you feel as though you are sitting right next to him. You will find yourself laughing as often as you stand in awe of Thrasher against the backdrop of the rise of a great city out of the wilderness.

36 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2017

Reviews

[Vicki Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but interesting bio of one of Atlanta's founders. It gives insight into his life but also the lifestyles of white settlers in the region during the 1800s.