JACKSON COUNTY, GA -  HISTORY   Commerce - Harmony Grove 1881

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 Commerce - Harmony Grove 

Commerce was originally known as Harmony Grove. The
following article was in the JACKSON HERALD, Jefferson,
Jackson Co.,  GA, issued on Friday, July 15, 1881. It
describes the little  village of Harmony Grove in 1881,
mentions a few of its citizens and their  occupations.
Thought some of you might be interested in a little of this
town's  history.



Harmony Grove.


Mr. Editor: I had the pleasure recently of visiting  Harmony
Grove and vicinity. This village is on the Northeastern
railroad. I  should think it contained about 700
inhabitants, and 10 business houses. It has  two churches
and one high school. Three of the largest tax payers in
Jackson  county live here, almost in sight of each other: C.
W. Hood,  S. M. Shankle and Dr. W. B. J. Hardman. The two
first named are merchants, while Dr.  Hardman has retired
from a large, lucrative practice, and is preaching  for the
Baptists in the Grove and some other churches in the
country.  Dr. Charles Harden, who once lived in Oconee
county, is located  here. He is succeeding well; has a large
and increasing practice. His mother  lives not farm from the
Grove on a farm. I called to see R. A.  Eckles, who has a
large carriage and wagon establishment. He puts up the best
home-made buggy known to me. Any one wanting anything in
this line will  do well to call and see him. Sam Hunter
(col.) formerly an  employee of the firm of Langford & Co.,
is painter in this shop. Sam was the  only man I knew in the
place. No whisky is sold here, and yet it prospers, and  the
people are quiet and orderly, disproving what we often hear
that a place  can’t prosper and grow unless this stuff is
sold in it . . . My home was with  Mrs. Fannie Henry, and I
could not wish a better one. The  people treated me kindly .
. 
. I will write again from Jackson county next  week.
W. M. F. in Watkinsville  Advance.