Early history of the town

Beginning in the colonial era, cotton was grown for personal use, as well as for market. One advantage of growing cotton was that it could be grown equally well in small or large quantities. It required little equipment or skill to produce and provided year-round work for enslaved persons. Harvested crops were non-perishable, could be transported to market with little damage and always found a ready sale.

The town of Cornelius’s origin has been traced to a dispute over cotton weighing.

In the late 1800s, two thriving cotton purchasing firms located in Davidson disagreed on whether an official town cotton weigher should be appointed.

After a heated election was held, a town cotton weigher was hired. The cotton purchasing firm which opposed the appointment decided to relocate much of its operations just south of the Davidson town limits.

After heavy rains, the road on the hill leading into Davidson would become so muddy that many cotton farmers found it safer and more convenient to conduct their business just south of Davidson in a small frame building.

The success of that cotton purchasing business later inspired its owners to construct a cotton mill where raw cotton could be converted into cloth. The owners of the cotton purchasing firm lacked the needed money to make the idea of a cotton mill a reality. Joseph Benjamin Cornelius supplied the needed investment and the mill was opened. Although not a resident of Cornelius, the town recognized the significant role of J.B. Cornelius, by naming the town Cornelius.

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