John C. Pitner and James S. England operated a store in Athens as early as 1847, with advertisements running in the Southern Whig beginning in October of that year. Dated October 7th, an advertisements states: “The subscribers are now receiving a large stock of Groceries, Dry Goods, Hardware and Crockery, which they offer in exchange for country produce or cash at low prices.” Pitner and England were also advertising regularly in the Southern Watchman and the Southern Banner during the 1850s. In 1857, John M. Freeman joined the business and appears to have remained in the partnership until 1861.

In Augustus Longstreet Hull’s Annals of Athens, the author notes that amid the general hardships of the Reconstruction era Pitner and England were among those who “sold family groceries.” Regardless of the firm’s success or lack thereof, Pitner’s partners came and went with regularity during this period. In 1866, Patrick H. Doyle became part of the business but soon thereafter England exited; John White joined the partnership but, by 1867, Doyle had dropped out. White did not stay long, leaving S. M. Hunter, who had replaced Doyle, to work with Pitner. Advertisements for Pitner & Hunter stated, “Will continue the business at the old stand,” suggesting that there was no change in address. Unfortunately, the ads do not note the store’s address. Advertisements in 1869 indicate a wider variety of goods for sale: “Staple & fancy goods, groceries, & c. […] Hardware, crockery, saddlery, boots, shoes, hats, caps, drugs, paints, &c.” Newspaper ads running in 1870 state that the store is to be found in the Dupree Building.

Toward the end of 1872, Pitner and Hunter’s partnership ended, replaced by Pitner, O’Farrell and Jackson. Note that O’Farrell’s name is often spelled “O’Farrel.” An advertisement in the Northeast Georgian of June 13th, 1873, for this partnership states: “This firm have a superior article of rice, equal to anything of the kind we have ever seen in a rice country. Those who like it would do well to lay in a supply.” Advertisements for this version of the store do give a location: the corner of Thomas and Clayton streets. Advertisements for another business, Hunter & Beusse, note that they are located where Pitner and Hunter’s once stood, at the corner of Broad and Thomas, in “Deupree’s building.”

The Northeast Georgian of February 3rd, 1875, notes that the “copartnership” of Pitner, O’Farrell, and Jackson had been dissolved upon Pitner purchasing O’Farrell’s share of the business.

On September 7th, 1879, the second oldest of John C. Pitner’s sons, Collette L. Pitner, married Martha Lillian Colbert. At an unidentified date, C. L. Pitner inherited the business from his father; he is pictured in the photograph found in this collection, standing in front of the store. C. L. and Martha’s daughter, Marie, identifies her father in a handwritten note on the back of the photograph. Marie Pitner married Charles Brockman, Sr. Their son, Charles Brockman, Jr., collected these materials and kept them at his home at 336 Hill Street until they were purchased by the donor, Terry L. Peeler.

John C. Pitner is buried at Oconee Hill Cemetery.