John Henry Moss

Served as mayor: December 1, 1965–November 30, 1987

John Henry Moss was born in Cleveland County to Manuel A. and Amanda Oates Moss. He played minor league baseball in 1940. He then joined the Army and fought in World War II. In 1947, he founded the Western Carolina League, a semipro circuit. He left the league in 1950 to work as general manager for several minor league teams affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. When he returned to the league in 1959, he reorganized it at the Western Carolinas League, which was later renamed the South Atlantic League. He served as president of this league for 50 years. As mayor, he felt minor league baseball was a way to bolster local revenue, as well as generate local pride.

John Henry was married to his wife, Elaine C. Beileke Moss, for 45 years. They had no children.

John Henry Moss died at the age of 90 after suffering a stroke on June 7, 2009.

Kelly Dixon

Served as mayor: December 1, 1961–November 30, 1963

Kelly Dixon was born in Cleveland County, North Carolina, to Robert and Frances Watterson Dixon. He was a minister and carpenter, building houses. During his time as mayor, he asked for a leave of absence so that he could run for Senator. He did not win. In his later years, he served as the volunteer chaplain at Kings Mountain Convalescent Center and taught a men’s Bible class at his church.

Kelly was married to his wife, Elizabeth “Blanche” Patterson Dixon, for 60 years. The couple had nine children together.

Kelly Dixon passed away at the age of 82.

Glee Actor Bridges

Served as mayor:

  • December 1, 1953–November 30, 1961
  • December 1, 1963–November 30, 1965

Glee Actor Bridges was born in Cleveland County to Joseph and Eva Gold Bridges. He grew up as a farmer. In 1917, he was drafted to fight in World War I. He moved to Kings Mountain after the war and became a merchant. He owned Bridges Hardware, which is still in operation. He also served as a County Commissioner.

During his first term as mayor, the Chamber of Commerce was organized and the first City Directory was distributed. The city also received a natural gas line. The Deal Street swimming pool was opened to the public. Also during this time the city hired its first black police officer.

G.A. was married to his wife Addie Hamrick Bridges for 44 years. The couple had four children.

Glee Actor Bridges passed away at the age of 71.

Garland Everett Still

Served as mayor: December 1, 1951–November 30, 1953

Garland Everett Still was born in Winston Salem, NC, to J. Nelson and Eva Weathers Still. Garland lived in Winston Salem most of his life. He worked as a manager of a clothing store and a proprietor.

After moving to Kings Mountain, Garland continued to work as a salesman.

Garland was married to his wife, Winnie Mauney Still, for 41 years before he passed away. The couple had three children.

Garland Everett Still passed away at the age of 66.

Horatio Thomas Fulton, Jr.

Served as mayor: December 1, 1947–November 30, 1949

Horatio Thomas “Tom” Fulton, Jr. was born in Kings Mountain, NC, to Horatio Thomas Sr. and Sarah Baker Fulton. He lived his entire life in Kings Mountain.

Tom went to Kings Mountain High School and was part of the first football team in 1922. He went on to become an undertaker. He owned Fulton’s Mortuary and was President of the N.C. Funeral Directors Association from 1926–1927 and then again from 1936–1937. He was also owner of D.F. Hord Furniture. He was also past executive secretary of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association.

Tom was married to his wife, Nell Hord Fulton, for 59 years. The couple had no children.

Horatio Thomas Fulton, Jr. passed away at the age of 82.

Joseph High Thomson

Served as mayor: December 1, 1941–November 30, 1947

Joseph High Thomson was born in Union County, South Carolina, to James and Jane Foster Thomson. By the time Joe was 27, he was living in Kings Mountain. He was working for the Southern Railroad Company as a Freight and Passenger Agent. As of 1930, Joe was working as an office manager at one of the cotton mills. Before he became mayor, he was still working in this field.

Joseph was married to his wife, Irma Willeford Thomson, for 51 years before she passed away. The couple had no children.

Joseph High Thomson passed away at the age of 85.

Jonah Brian Thomasson

Served as mayor: December 1, 1939–November 30, 1940

Jonah Brian Thomasson was born in York County, South Carolina, to James and Nannie Bryan Thomasson. By 1910, Jonah was living and working in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He was president of Elmer Lumber Company and a vice president of the Home Building and Loan Association. He was a prominent member of the Kiwanis club and an active Democrat. For much of his adult life he spent his winters in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Jonah was married to his wife, Agnes Kendrick Thomasson, for 50 years. The couple had no children.

Jonah Brian Thomasson passed away at the age of 76 from a heart attack.

James Edward Herndon

Served as mayor:

  • December 1, 1933–November 30, 1939
  • December 1, 1949–November 30, 1951

James Edward Herndon was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, to George and Eliza Bird Herndon. He grew up and lived most of his adult life in Kings Mountain. By 1917, when he registered to join the war, he was living in Richmond County, North Carolina, working as a railroad flagman for the Seaboard Airlines. He was later drafted to serve in the Army in March of 1918.

After the war, J.E. returned to Kings Mountain. He married and began working in the textile industry. During his time as mayor, he was a major advocate for a public library for the town.

James was married to his wife, Virginia Mauney Herndon, for 34 years before he passed away. The couple had two children.

James Edward Herndon passed away at the age of 66 from cancer.

William Kemp Mauney, Sr.

Served as mayor: December 1, 1931–November 30, 1933

William Kemp Mauney (“W.K.”) was born in Kings Mountain, NC, to Jacob S. and Julia Rudisill Mauney. He was educated in local school. He graduated from Lenoir College in 1910, where he was highly involved in a number of organizations, including the Bible Society, the Athletic Association, and being President of the Oakview Orchestra.

Once W.K. moved back to Kings Mountain, he worked as a farmer and in a garage. He later moved into the textile business as an executive and President of Mauney Mills.

W.K. was married to his wife, Sarah Hoffman Mauney, for 54 years. The couple had five children.

William Kemp Mauney, Sr. passed away at the age of 81 from a stroke.

Plato Durham Herndon

Served as mayor: December 1, 1923–November 30, 1925

Plato Durham Herndon (“P.D.”) was born in Kings Mountain, NC, to George and Eliza Bird Herndon. He was educated in Cleveland County schools and Kings Mountain High School. He also attended Mars Hill College. P.D. worked in several fields including banking, real estate, and insurance.

P.D. was highly involved in civic affairs. He was president of the North Carolina Ginners Association and the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association. He served as director of the NCCIA for 11 years. He was past director of the National Cotton Council. He was an active Mason and served several times as master of Fairview Lodge, in Kings Mountain. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Cleveland County Executives, Kings Mountain Country Club, Red Fez Club, and the Elks. He was also on the city planning board for Kings Mountain at the time of his death.

P.D. was married to his wife, Cornelia Floyd Herndon, for 33 years. The couple had seven children together.

Plato Durham Herndon passed away at the age of 59.