Jackson County GaArchives History .....History of Harmony Grove-Commerce, Chapter 12 1949 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 August 21, 2004, 10:04 pm CHAPTER XII CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS GROWTH The churches of Harmony Grove and vicinity were at first located in the adjacent vicinity, or country-side. There was no church located in the town of Harmony Grove before 1874. METHODIST The Methodist church was known by the name of Sandy Level, located on the opposite side of the railroad from L. G. Hardman's peach shed where there is an old cemetery. To this church belonged as members the Shankles, the Hargroves, some of the Hudsons, the Gobers and the Butlers. This building was torn down and moved in 1874 to the present site of the Methodist Church. Just before the Civil War there was erected a church building on the Dunson place near the beacon light and was known as the Old Protestant, or Northern Methodist church, which had a small membership. This church disbanded and disappeared soon after the Civil War. In addition there was the Mt. Bethel Methodist Church, located three miles northeast of Harmony Grove. This church contributed much in membership and otherwise to this denomination in the town, as did also Wilson Church, four miles north of town. BAPTIST There were a number of local Baptist churches located early in the century near the vicinity of Harmony Grove, namely, Cabin Creek Baptist Church, six miles south and constituted in 1796; Black's Creek Church, three miles from town, south-east, constituted in 1803; Beaver Dam Baptist Church, four miles east, constituted in 1822; Bold Springs Baptist Church, constituted in 1871 at Addison Chrisler Springs; Grove Level Baptist Church, constituted in 1801, seven miles north of town. All these churches had members in and around Harmony Grove. In 1874 the Harmony Grove Baptist Church was constituted with eighty-eight charter members, some from each of the five churches mentioned above, chiefly Black's Creek and Cabin Creek. PRESBYTERIAN The Presbyterians had no local church here until the year 1882. A church was organized and a house built on the lot where L. L. Davis now lives. Under the leadership of Rev. Groves Cartledge and Dr. H. F. Hoyt, there was organized a church with a small membership, these members coming partly from the Hebron Presbyterian Church in Banks County and Thyatira Presbyterian Church in Jackson County, the two latter churches being organized before 1800. MADISON STREET BAPTIST The Madison Street Baptist Church was constituted in 1895. This church was organized under the leadership of Rev. H. E. Hardman. He requested the gift of the wooden building of the Harmony Grove Baptist Church, which was granted, and he moved it and erected at his own expense a building on the present site on Madison Street. This was the year, 1896, that the present brick building of the Harmony Grove Baptist Church was begun. The primary purpose of the Madison Street Church was to give religious facilities to the operatives of the Harmony Grove Mill and to the residents of that vicinity. This church has advanced steadily in growth of membership and influence. Its membership is among the largest in Commerce. OTHERS The Holiness people of various faiths have had religious meetings in tents and other ways. In recent years one of these groups has had a church building in South Commerce which was originally constructed by the Methodist Church, in which they for a time held services. Some two years ago the Holiness people secured this building and remodeled it. Other religious groups hold services in their homes without having a public place of worship. NEGRO CHURCHES The Negro churches of Commerce have been an important factor in the religious life of the community. There are in the section of the city known as Johntown at least four thriving congregations. The Baptist Church has been in operation for over sixty years. In 1927, there was erected a splendid brick veneer church building with all equipment necessary for Sunday School and other church organizations. This building was erected during the pastorate and under the leadership of Rev. J. C. Barnett at a total cost of more than $6,000.00, fully paid off in five years. The present membership enrollment is 250 and the pastor is Rev. Claud Clayton. The Methodist have an equally equipped brick veneer building on the Commerce-Carnesville Highway, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church with a membership of 63 and whose present pastor is Rev. P.H.P. Mayes. On another street is the CME group of Methodist with a nice frame structure and a membership of too. The present pastor is Rev. E. D. Martin. Near by this church is the Holiness Church with a comfort-able house of worship and a membership of 20. The religious life of our town as represented in these five white and four Negro churches form the background of the high character and moral tone of our citizenship. These churches have a membership of 2,414. There has been unusual cooperation and harmony among all the churches and especially have the white people encouraged and contributed financially to provide splendid church buildings and equipment for the Negro congregations. The moral tone of the Negro population has been advanced and improved in proportion to their church and religious life and school facilities. Total White Church Membership 1,979 Negro Membership 435 Total 2,414 COMMERCE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH On Saturday, November 21, 1874, the Baptist Church of Harmony Grove was constituted with 88 charter members who had been lettered from Black's Creek, Cabin Creek, Beaver Dam, Oconee, and Grove Level Churches. W. B. J. Hardman was chosen pastor and R. S. Cheney and L. J. Dun-son elected deacons. On the following day, Sunday, November 22, the ordination service of pastor and deacons was con-ducted by a presbytery, consisting of W. F. Stark, A. J. Kelly, W. R. Goss and W. T. M. Brock. The following is a list of the charter members: MALES J. O. Adair W. S. Edwards Elbert Hardman D. W. Barnett W. C. Farabee R. L. Hardman W. B. Barnett C. O. Farabee C. W. Hood E. H. Borders W. R. Goss C. J. Hood John Bruce I. H. Goss A. J. Hudson Chris Coleman W. C. Glenn J. M. Hutchins R. S. Cheney W. B. J. Hardman R. K. Minish W. C. Davis H. E. Hardman E. H. Ingram L. J. Dunson L. G. Hardman S. R. Jordan P. O. Pittman W. W. Tolbert W. B. J. Perry J. G. H. Pittman Solomon Seegar E. A. Perry John L. Parks J. S. P. Richey S. J. T. Seegar E. Edwards Francis Ray J. A. Skates D. M. Hix FEMALES Julia Adair S. E. Goss Sarah A. Minish Virginia Barnett Martha Hudson C. A. M. Mann E. A. Borders Melissa A. Hood Minerva C. Nix F. L. Borders Temperance Hardy Mary E. Nix T. A. V. Barnett E. S. Hardman Julia M. Perry Frances Coleman Flora E. Hardman Johanna Perry Eugenia E. Cheney Lottie Hardman Sarah Perry Lydia Davis L. L. Hardman M. E. Perry Mary F. Dunson Josephine Hudson Ermine Park M. R. Dunson Martha Hutchins M. A. E. Ray M. C. Edwards Emma Ingram L. P. Richey Delanie E. Farabee M. A. Jordan L. C. Richey L. H. Farabee Delilah Ingram Cynthia Sanders P. C. Farabee E. C. Lackey Dora A. Webb R. D. Farabee Sidney Minish S. F. Tolbert E. A. Goss Frances E. Minish Sarah J. Yeargin The first conference was held on December 26th, and several important transactions are noted: The election of R. S. Cheney as clerk; P. O. Pittman, assistant clerk; L. J. Dunson, treasurer; and R. K. Minish, chorister. Ten a.m. was set apart as the hour of prayer on each meeting day. On solicitation of W. R. Goss several subscriptions were taken for The Christian Index and Baptist. The fourth Sunday in July was fixed for the annual revival meeting, services to begin on Friday before that Sunday. Quarterly Conferences were held when they received and appointed correspondents to sister churches. The first large ingathering came at a protracted meeting in July, 1880, at which time almost every young person of eligible age joined. A majority of these are living and a number of them are still members with us. Thirty were baptized and two received by letter. The church at first had preaching only one Sunday a month. In 1892 they went to two Sundays a month, W. M. Coile pastor, and in 1900 they adopted full-time service, G. W. Gamer, pastor. The present brick building was erected in 1896 and dedicated February 14, 1897. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. T. W. O'Kelly of Griffin. The name of the church was changed from the Harmony Grove Baptist Church to the Commerce First Baptist Church, September 18, 1904. The former wooden building was donated to Madison Street Church, and was moved and erected by H. E. Hardman at his own expense. This church entertained the Sarepta Association five times, in 1879, 1897, 1914, 1936, and 1946; the Sunday School Convention five times and the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1916. Ministers ordained by this church are: W. B. J. Hardman, A. H. Boone, R. S. Cheney, H. E. Hardman, Ronald Bullin, and T. C. Hardman. Deacons ordained: R. S. Cheney, L. J. Dunson, W. C. Davis, H. E. Hardman, J. D. Barnett, C. J. Hood, T. C. Pittman, A. B. Deadwyler, W. B. Hardman, W. T. Thurmond, T. C. Hardman, F. M. Hubbard, J. M. Nix, Geo. L. Hubbard, C. J. Hardman, H. B. Carreker, A. P. Rice, C. A. Goodin, W. C. Dowdy, J. B. Elrod, M. T. Sanders, J. L. Dunson, A. A. Rogers, L. G. Hardman, Jr., Avery Bird, J. N. Harris, Dr. G. O. Castellaw. A number of members have come in from other churches as deacons and have served this church faithfully in that capacity. The pastors who have served the church: W. B. J. Hardman, sixteen years; W. M. Coile, four years; B. F. Riley, three years; G. W. Gamer, five years; W. A. Nelson, two years; H. W. Williams, five years; Gilbert Dobbs, seven years; W. L. Culbertson, seven years; W. H. Wrighton, six years; C. C. Tooke, seventeen years. We show some figures which show the larger activities during the years. The first 45 years, for missions and benevolence, we gave approximately $45,000.00; from 1919 to 1924, $55,000.00; since then $20,000.00; total, $120,000.00; for schools and education, $60,000.00; total-missions and benevolences, $180,000.00. On the same date that the Harmony Grove Church was constituted there was begun the Sunday School which has been maintained through the entire history. A Men's Bible Class was organized, also a class for the young men and young women. The feature of this early Sunday School was the "Beginners or Primaries," taught by Mrs. W. B. J. Hardman in which the "Blue Back Speller" and "Kind Words" were used. The "Kind Words" were edited by Rev. Samuel Boykin of Macon. From the beginning, over sixty years ago, the school has had a continuous progress until at present it has reached the A-1 Standard. In 1918 an addition was built to the church, including a room for the Primaries, and in 1936, a complete and commodious Sunday School Annex was constructed which is sufficient for a school of 800 pupils. The following have served as superintendents: R. S. Cheney, J. A. Williford, W. H. Simpkins, H. E. Hardman, J. H. Walker, W. B. Haygood, W. B. Hardman, C. J. Hood, J. H. Williford, H. B. Carreker, W. H. Martin, C. L. Veatch, J. B. Hardman, A. A. Rogers, Alvin Collins, and Clyde Nunn. The women of the First Baptist Church were among the first of the state to organize a Woman's Missionary Society, under solicitation of Rev. C. M. Irwin, about the year, 1881. This group of women carried on the work and supported missionaries direct for several years. Some years later, under the ministry of Dr. B. F. Riley, the work was re-organized and has been continuous up to the present status. The B.Y.P.U. organization was established under the leadership of Landrum and Frank Leavell, about the year 1915, and has been one of the helpful auxiliaries to the church work. The First Baptist Church has enlarged its facilities recently, expending some $15,000.00 on redecorating interior, laying concrete paving on walks around the building and enlarging the heating plant. The present membership is 737. HISTORY OF THE MADISON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH The Madison Street Baptist Church of Commerce was constituted in 1895 in South Commerce in the vicinity of the Harmony Grove Mill. The lot was contributed by the Rev. W. B. J. Hardman and the building was erected by Rev. H. E. Hardman, who became the first pastor and served until 1911, a period of sixteen years. The building was the original church house of the Harmony Grove Baptist Church and was taken down and removed to Madison Street at the time the Harmony Grove Baptist Church erected a new brick building, which is now the Commerce First Baptist Church. This church has been encouraged and partly supported by the Harmony Grove Mills. It has cooperated with the Baptist program and has been a liberal contributor to same, having from the beginning a very active Sunday School with well organized and prepared teachers. This church entertained the Sunday School Convention in 1941. It is also active in the training of young people, having maintained an active Baptist Training Union. The following have served as pastors: Rev. H. E. Hardman, Rev. W. M. Pettit, Rev. Chas. Rowe, Rev. W. L. Culbertson, Rev. M. A. Love, Rev. R. J. Tyler, Rev. G. H. Collins, Rev. P. M. Webb, Rev. G. H. Davis, Rev. Clyde Smith, and Rev. Edward L. Aiken, the present pastor. Those who have served as deacons are: Wm. Thurmond, C. T. Nash, J. L. Lord, E. J. Pruitt, G. C. Steele, H. C. Minish, Charley Turner, O. G. Chandler, A. R. Owens, D. P. Morrison, Archie Davis, W. E. Williams, P. D. Howington, Woodie Phillips, J. J. Morrison, D. L. Nunn, S. R. Spurlock, J. R. Toney, L. Burruss Morrison, H. Odell Williams, W. L. Ayers, Andrew O'Kelley, Clyde O. Nunn, L. H. Clarke, Emory E. Vaughn, Martin F. Allen, W. M. Saxon, V. Turner Allen, H. A. James, Luke L. Smallwood, Rufus O'Kelley, R. S. Gillespie, and A. M. Hampton. Those who have served as clerks are: F. O. Whitehead, C. T. Nash, J. H. Webb, W. A. Webb, Charlie Turner, G. C. Steele, John Thomas, P. D. Howington, O. G. Chandler, D. P. Morrison, Robert S. Wheeler, C. O. Nunn, H. Odell Williams, C. L. Burns, Sr., and Wilson Morrison. The present clerk is. Kyle Savage. Those serving the church as treasurer are: J. W. Massey, P. D. Howington, H. E. Williams, L. Burruss Morrison, H. Odell Williams, W. L. Ayers, Emory E. Vaughn, B. L. Sea-graves, V. Turner Allen, Miss Hilda Boswell, and L. L. Smallwood. Sunday School superintendents are as follows: W. F. Stark, Robert Howington, Jack Cash, T. S. Coleman, F. A. Cole-man, Callie O'Kelley, M. C. Bellew, H. C. Minnish, G. C. Steele, H. E. Williams, Archie Davis, D. L. Nunn, D. P. Morrison, P. D. Howington, V. Turner Allen, Kyle Savage, Melvin Minnish, H. Odell Williams, and Rufus O'Kelley. The present superintendent is A. M. Hampton. In 1941 the church called Rev. Edward L. Aiken, of Gainesville, as pastor. It has perhaps been during his ministry that our church has made more progress than in any other years of her history. There has been a large increase in our membership and attendance. The building program during his pastorate includes: three additional Sunday School classrooms, a pastor's study, two restrooms and the vestibule. The church has been repainted both on the inside and outside, new carpets and light fixtures added and an oil furnace installed. Present membership 600. The present church officers include: Pastor, Rev. Edward L. Aiken. Deacons: A. M. Hampton, H. Odell Williams, Rufus O'Kelley, L. L. Smallwood, R. S. Gilespie, W. F. Williams, and H. A. James. HARMONY GROVE-COMMERCE METHODIST CHURCH The first record in this community of the Harmony Grove-Commerce Methodist Church is taken from a Sunday School record book (this book was presented in 1921 to the Commerce News by John Gober who was the grandson of H. B. Gober). The record book covers a period from 1843 to 185 I in which is indicated a Sunday School was organized in 1843 at Adaline Methodist Church, two miles south of Harmony Grove on the Athens road, probably between the T. P. Hudson place and the S. R. Hood place on the west side of the road. Afterwards at this spot there was a school house known as the Hood School. In this Adaline Sunday School were the following names: Christopher Sewell, Eli Shankle, James W. Shankle, Reuben Nash, William Johnson, William LaMaster, H. B. Gober, William Gober, and Linton C. Dunson. The Adaline Church seems to have later been moved to Harmony Grove and located near the present home of Mrs. L. J. Sharp on the opposite side of Shankle Street. Sometime later this place of worship was again moved and located near the old Farrabee home site outside the city limit, some quarter of a mile and on the east side of the railroad. This church was known as Sandy Level. The place is marked by a small grave yard. In 1874 this church was moved to its present site on a lot donated by S. M. Shankle. The present membership is 460. The following is a list of Stewards and Trustees: F. H. Adams Claud Montgomery Herbert Sharp A. D. Bolton Milton Nix T. J. Syfan W. D. Bolton Ralph Pardue Fred Tanner C. H. Beard F. E. Durst, Jr. W. M. Veal James Wilbanks Charles L. Brown, Jr. W. W. Foster J. D. Parham Thomas L. Conn J. L. Hope N. H. Perry R. M. Davidson J. E. Jarrell W. R. Pickins Tom Mealor Corner Fowler R. L. Sanders James Wilbanks, Superintendent of Sunday School. The following is a list of the preachers of the Harmony Grove-Commerce Methodist Church: HARMONY GROVE J. T. Curtis 1879-1881 J. R. Parker 1882-1883 W. W. Lampkin 1884 Rev. Murrah 1885 J. B. Allen 1886 Rev. Embry 1887 Rev. Bond 1888-1889 George W. Duval 1890-1891 R. Branham 1892-1893 J. D. Milton 1894-1895 C. A. Jamison 1896 G. W. Griner 1847-1898 M. L. Troutman 1900 W. T. M. Bell 1901 G. M. Eakes 1902-1903 COMMERCE G. M. Eakes 1904-1905 A. A. Tilly 1906 W. R. Foot 1907-1908 Walter Robison 1909-1910 Frank Quinlan 1911-1913 T. Eakes 1914 K. Read 1915-1916 V. P. Scoville 1917-1918 J. Lytle Jones Supply 1918 J. E. Ellis 1919-1920 Irby Henderson 1921-1922 J. R. Turner 1923-1925 J. R. Jordan 1926-1927 J. H. Allison 1928-1929 G. E. Barrett 1930-1931 A. Lee Hale 1932-1933 J. P. Irwin 1934-1935 J. O. Brand 1936-1938 F. E. Crutcher 1939-1941 C. W. Fruit 1942-1948 Hubert Dodd, present Pastor THE HARMONY GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH On July 28, 1882, Rev. R. W. Milner, evangelist of Athens Presbytery, and Rev. Groves H. Cartledge held a meeting ina little log school house near their first permanent church building on Homer Street. On July 30th, Rev. Cartledge preached from Isaiah 54: 5, after which they proceeded with the organization of a church with the following members: T. E. Key and Mary E. Bird from Hebron Church; T. M. Daniels from Athens; Dr. R. R. Harden from Smyrna; Mrs. Coles from Gainesville; Mr. M. T. Davis and wife from Wilson's Church; Mr. and Mrs. E. A. McDonald from Thyatira; and Mr. T. Cole on profession. The following officers were elected: Elders: T. E. Key, T. M. Daniel, E. A. McDonald. Deacons: Dr. R. R. Harden, T. Cole. T. M. Daniel was elected Clerk of the Session. Rev. H. F. Hoyt, Rev. Milner, Rev. Stevens, Dr. Henry Newton, Dr. Cleveland and Dr. Cartledge supplied the church until Dr. Hoyt was elected pastor in 1884. In 1883 the Independent Presbyterians of Savannah, Ga., gave the church $200.00 to be used on a house of worship. On July 11, 1886, the day the church was dedicated, a meeting was held in the afternoon and arrangements made for an afternoon Sunday School, members of other denominations cooperating. Meetings were held in the little school house until July, 1885, after which they met for one year in the Methodist Church. In January, 1884, a lot was purchased from J. N. Wood for $200.00. The building was erected on this lot and dedicated on July 11, 1886. The membership being small, the construction was slow and the different members took part in the building and contributed different parts of the furnishings. T. E. Key furnished the blinds; T. Cole made the pews; and W. T. Stapler gave the organ. The membership gradually increased. The Hoyts came in 1884; the Telfords in 1888; the Littles in 1889; the Burns in 1891; Mrs. Barnett in 1892; the Smiths in 1892; E. P. Eberhart in 1893; the Mizes in 1893; the Watsons in 1893; Mrs. Owens and Miss Alice Owens in 1893; the Kemps in 1891; G. L. Carson and family in 1896; and the Rices in 1899. Our membership is still small but many members have gone out to take leadership in other places. On April 6, 1905 the name of the church was changed from Harmony Grove Presbyterian Church to Commerce Presbyterian Church. In June, 1910, it was decided to change the location and erect a new church building. By October of the same year, $7,358.00 had been subscribed for the purpose. A trade was made with L. L. Davis to exchange their present house and lot for a lot on the corner of Cherry and Bowden Streets, paying him $1,500.00 difference. Later two lots were sold from the original lot fronting on Bowden Street for $550.00 each. The erection of this building was begun and completed in 1912 at a total cost of $12,850.00. This beautiful structure in the center of town furnishes an ample place of worship and service. In July, 1919, the purchase of the manse was decided upon. The purchase was made January 24, 1920. They bought from W. Y. Harber a seven room house on Shankle Street for $7,-500.00. Rev. John A. Simpson was the first occupant. In all the construction and improvement of buildings, the women of the church have been of invaluable help in all the undertakings of the church; in the furnishings and equipping of the Manse, installing the heating plant and the pews and in many ways showing their devotion to the cause. The present membership is 130. On October 9, 1946, the Presbyterian Church passed resolutions in appreciation of the faithful, long service in the church of Mrs. A. B. Deadwyler as organist and assistant organist; Mr. George Rice as Superintendent of the Sunday School, and of Mrs. George Rice as Sunday School teacher of the Beginners Class in the Sunday School. Mrs. Ernest Jackson deserves special recognition for her long service as organist in the church. In January, 1906, Dr. L. G. Hardman tendered the Presbyterian Church and each of the other religious denominations a room in his Sanitorium for the free use and treatment for the poor of their congregation who needed medical care and with the provision that congregation supply the necessary furnishings for its room. This proposition was accepted with thanks by each congregation but did not materialize as a practical plan. PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED THE COMMERCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH For two years after its organization, several preachers sup plied the pulpit from Sabbath to Sabbath. In 1884, Dr. Hoyt was called as a regular pastor. From that date on the pastors have been: H. F. Hoyt, total of fifteen years; Rev. Stevens, four years; H. S. Allyn, three years; D. J. Blackwell, two years; J. D. McPhail, one year; George M. Telford, three years; J. N. McCord, two years; W. R. Henderson, four years; John A. Simpson, six years; W. W. Pippin, three years; H. R. Foster, fifteen years; Reid Newland, four years; Robert J. Marshman, the present pastor, who is serving his first year. The church began by having services once a month. In 1896 they called for two Sundays. Since 1905 they have varied from full time to three quarter time. The present pastor is giving his full time. The following have served the church as Elders: T. E. Key, E. A. McDonald, T. M. Daniel, W. G. Alexander, J. N. Telford, W. N. Burns, W. L. Little, G. L. Carson, Sr., R. L. Smith, R. E. Kemp, E. P. Eberhart, Claud Little, D. M. Burns, T. A. Little, W. S. Mize, E. B. Watson, George T. Rice, G. P. Martin, T. N. Mize, W. B. Rice, C. W. Voiles, W. T. Stapler and H. P. Little. Deacons: Dr. R. R. Harden, T. Cole, J. W. Carrington, J. N. Marbury, C. A. Mize, A. P. Rice, M. C. Arthur, C. N. Bird, A. C. Carson, W. A. Echols, W. D. Martin, C. W. Hood, Jr., T. P. Coker, R. F. Powers, Joe Deadwyler, Lauren McDonald, F. M. Fuller, W. A. Gibbs, A. S. Johnson, C. C. Ward, L. A. Richardson, and W. A. Stevenson. Sunday School Superintendents: T. E. Key in 1883; J. N. Telford served more than twenty years to 1908; Claud Little for a total of fourteen years; H. B. Bible two years; R. L. J. Smith, two years, and George T. Rice, a total of twenty-three years. Clerks: T. M. Daniel, ten years; W. G. Alexander, W. B. Burns, thirty-four years; Claud Little, twelve years; C. W. Voiles, four years; G. P. Martin, the present clerk, six years. Personal sketches of two pioneer Presbyterian preachers of Harmony Grove and this section of Northeast Georgia. REV. GROVES H. CARTLEDGE Rev. Groves Cartledge was a Presbyterian preacher high in the Presbyterian Church of the northeastern part of the state. He was born February 15, 1820 in Madison County and was the son of Samuel and Agnes Groves Cartledge. He at-tended the common schools in Madison, Jackson and Gwinnett counties, also Old Oglethorpe at Midway and Columbia Seminary. He settled in Franklin County about one mile from Hebron Church, where he spent forty-seven years as pastor of Hebron Church and other Presbyterian churches in this section. He was also a successful school teacher and became a scholar of recognized ability. Mr. Cartledge was a leader in the founding of the Harmony Grove Presbyterian Church. He died July 5, 1899 in his eightieth year. DR. HENRY F. HOYT Dr. Hoyt was the son of Rev. Nathan Hoyt, born in Athens, Ga., in 1833. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1851 and completed his theological course at the Presbyterian Seminary at Columbia, S. C. He was chaplain in the Confederate Army and afterward preached at Darien for some time. He for more than thirty years served churches in Northeast Georgia at Elberton, Commerce, Cornelia, Maysville, Homer, and other points. Dr. Hoyt was much admired for his lovable character and ability as a preacher and pastor. He supplied the Harmony Grove Presbyterian Church in its early days and was called as pastor in 1884. He served as pastor at different times for a total of fifteen years and was well known and universally loved during his ministry in Harmony Grove and Commerce. He passed away at the Hardman Sanatorium in Commerce in 1912 and was buried at Maysville, Georgia. Additional Comments: From HISTORY OF HARMONY GROVE - COMMERCE JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA BY THOMAS COLQUITT HARDMAN 1810-1949 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/jackson/history/other/gms160historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 27.9 Kb