Short, Bob, 1932-United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Gillis, James Lester, 1916Short, Bob, 19322008-07-25James L. Gillis, Jr. discusses the history of his family's business in naval stores and timber, describing how naval stores were shipped via railroad and down the Savannah and Oconee rivers. He talks about the turpentine industry, including his time as a member of the American Turpentine Farmers Association and how the association helped stabilize the industry. Gillis discusses the history of naval stores. He describes how his father, Neil Gillis, was the first to produce gum naval stores. He further enumerates the history of timber prices and navel stores through World War II and the entrance of foreign competitors like China. Gillis also recalls aspects of his father's life, from Gillis Sr.'s tenure in the House of Representatives in 1917 to his work developing naval stores in Soperton throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Gillis describes his childhood in Soperton and how the town has changed throughout his life. He explains how his father and grandfather were instrumental in the creation of Treutlen County in 1917. He later goes on to discuss the immigration, job prospects, community renewal, and industry in the county. Gillis recalls his education at the University of Georgia, his work as a forester in Baxley, his return to the family business and subsequent run for state Senate in 1938. Regarding his civic efforts, Gillis discusses his work with the Lions Club, the Soil Conservation Service, State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, and the Georgia Forestry Commission. The latter portion of the interview occurs in the Gillis family cemetery, and James L. Gillis, Jr.'s brother Hugh Gillis joins the interview.Finding aid available in repository.James Lester "Jim L." Gillis, Jr. was born October 2, 1916, in Locust Grove, Georgia. Gillis is the grandson of Treutlen County founder and state representative Neil Gillis, the son of State Senator and Highway Commissioner Jim L. Gillis, and brother of Hugh Gillis. In 1937, Gillis graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in forestry. He worked as an assistant district forester, while taking night courses in business. In 1938, he ran a successful campaign for the Georgia Senate. He served again from 1945 to 1946, and returned home to become first mayor and then county commissioner of Treutlen County, a post he held for forty years until he retired in 2001. He was active in forestry projects, serving as chairman of the board for the Georgia Forestry Commission, president of the American Turpentine Farmers Association, and a member of the Soil Conservation Service. He was also chairman on the board of the Bank of Soperton, president of the Georgia Bankers Association, and president of the State Association of County Commissioners.Interviewed by Bob Short.Related materials are available in the following collections of this repository: Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 041 Hugh Gillis; James L. Gillis, Sr. Papers; American Turpentine Farmers Association Minute Books.video/mp4enghttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collectionhttp://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/RBRL220ROGP.xmlGeorgia--General Assembly--House of RepresentativesUnited States--Soil Conservation ServiceAmerican Turpentine Farmers Association CooperativeUniversity of GeorgiaLions Clubs InternationalGeorgia Soil and Water Conservation CommitteeGeorgia Forestry CommissionNaval stores industry--Georgia--Treutlen CountyLumber trade--Georgia--Treutlen CountyTurpentine industry and trade--GeorgiaForests and forestry--GeorgiaFamiliesForests and forestryLumber tradeNaval stores industryTurpentine industry and tradeUniversities and colleges--Alumni and alumnaeTreutlen County (Ga.)--HistoryGeorgiaGeorgia--Treutlen CountyJames L. Gillis, Jr., 25 July 2008.MovingImage