Short history behind Manor Ginnery revealed.

This news article will explain what the Manor Ginnery in Manor, Texas was. Manor Ginnery was responsible for ginning cotton for the small town of Manor, Texas. 

Manor Ginnery was built and constructed in 1890 at West Carrie Manor Street and South Caldwell Street. John Daugherty & Son were the proprietors of Manor Ginnery. W. J. Daugherty was the manager of/for Manor Ginnery. 4 gin-stands were put in at first. 3 years later, on account of a growing business, the number of gin-stands was doubled. Manor Ginnery was one of the most important enterprises in Manor, giving employment to about a dozen men, and turning out more than 3,000 bales in a season. The square-bale press had capacity of 30 bales per day. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366646979/)

The Manor Ginnery gin building was a large and imposing 2-story structure measuring at a 100 feet in dimensions. The entire block of ground covered 20 lots on a total size of 2 blocks. The plant is lifted throughout with all the latest and most improved machinery, so necessary for the able conduct of the business. Cotton was Manor's leading industry. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357496238/)

Mr. Sam Walker II shipped 100 bales of cotton from Manor Ginnery to Europe in 1897. The new gin was in full blast. Cotton is coming in lively. “There is scarcely anyone holding, but it is marketed as fast as ginned. Business is improving aud our town still steadily improving.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366648029/)

 

W. J. Daugherty got busy getting the Manor Ginnery in first-class shape for the coming crop season in 1897. Although work on the artesian well is against a standstill at Manor Ginnery, it is hoped this effort will yet prove successful. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/70974300/)

The artesian well was leased to W. J. Daugherty, who used it at the Manor Ginnery. and furnished some 20 or 25 homes with the water by means of a system of pipes. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41108854/manor-history/)


The Manor Ginnery was renamed to W. J. Daughtery’s Cotton Gin and Grist Mill in 1900. Not only did Manor Ginnery have a cotton gin but also operated as a grist mill on 20 blocks of land. W. J. Daughtery owned the cotton gin and grist mill.
(Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth552749/m1/1/zoom/?q=manor%20sanborn&resolution=4&lat=9227.423202603946&lon=3943.0126158392654)

 

W. J. Daughtery’s Cotton Gin and Grist Mill was renamed to Bauer Bros Cotton Gin in 1910. W. J. Daughtery still owned the cotton gin and assumed full ownership of the property.
(Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth549775/m1/1/zoom/?q=manor%20sanborn&resolution=6&lat=8085.541579449458&lon=4325.143002335289)

Bauer Bros Cotton Gin became known as the W. A. Hiller Cotton Gin in 1915. Manor Ginnery was known as W. A. Hiller Cotton Gin to residents by 1916. Electric lighting was installed at this point. W. A. Hiller was the operations manager of the cotton gin by this point. W. A. Hiller would assume full ownership of the property. Manor Ginnery was absorbed and merged into Manor Gin Company around or during that time.
(Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth550462/m1/1/zoom/?q=manor%20sanborn&resolution=3&lat=8952.500000000002&lon=1325)

Gin No. 3 belonging to Manor Gin Company caught on fire on the night of January 14, 1939. What exactly ignited the fire was unknown. However W. A. Hiller believed the fire was caused by rats or mice carrying matches into the gin. The fire originated in the gin press. (Ref: The Austin American, Gin Is Destroyed By Fire at Manor Special, Page 2, Tuesday, January 17, 1939)

“The Manor Gin company's Gin No. 3. located on the Austin-Manor road, was completely destroyed by fire early Saturday morning. W. A. Hiller and W. A. Boenemanu, who are connected with the company, estimated the loss at more than $8,000 with insurance amounting to $6,000. Up until last fall, when the policy was renewed, $8,000 was carried on the structure, they said. Mr. Hiller stated he believed that the fire was caused by rats or mice carrying matches into the gin. It originated in the gin press.”

So Manor Ginnery was dismantled after the fire and sold to Allen Samuels and his wife on August 27, 1943 for a price of $25. “Manor Gin company, limited to Allen Samuels and wife. Aug. 27, 1943. $25 ; lots 9 and 10, block 27, city of Manor.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/356030634/)


Manor Ginnery was located at West Carrie Manor Street and South Caldwell Street, Manor, Texas, US 78653.