Anthony B. Adams, my grandfather, established Defender Packing Company in 1913. Giving the name "Defender" to this new business is credited to my grandmother, Sarah Jane Carroll Adams, who had seen the name "Defender" on a box of pins manufactured by the Defender Commerce Pin Company.
     With World War I days just ahead, Defender Packing Company- prospered and soon was packing peeled tomatoes in three different size cans. Later Defender Packing Company packed cream style corn in addition to the peeled tomatoes. Hard times through the late 20's and 30's eliminated many other canneries, but Defender Packing Company hung on with the canning of both tomatoes and sweet corn grown by local farmers and a work force derived from local people and some migrant workers.       [Charles B. Adams, Jr. 12/25/99]