Hardie Family | Ray City History Blog

Around Rays Mill ~ June 10, 1911

June 10, 2013 at 12:14 am (Education In the Wiregrass, Hardie Family, King's Chapel School, Ray City School)
Tags: Bemiss GA, Gordon Vancie Hardie, John Arthur Yarborough, John LaFayette Courson, King's Chapel GA, King's Chapel School, Lester Starling, Luckie Lumber Company, Mary McCord, Mary Simmons, measles, Neta Bradford, Norman Institute, Norman Starling, Pearl Barfield, Pearl Hardie Knight, R. R. Moore, Ray City School, Ray's Mill School, Robert Payne Fain, Valdosta GA, William Henry Edward Terry

Around Ray’s Mill

Valdosta Times
June 10, 1911

Around Ray’s Mill

School Closed on Friday – Interesting Personal Notes.

The Ray’s Mill school, after a very successful term, closed on Friday June 2. The patrons feel that the school has been a success and give Prof. and Mrs. Patten the praise of being very good teachers. The school would have closed sooner, but had to vacate a week on account of measles.
Prof. J. L. Courson of Hahira will teach a ten day’s old-time singing school at Ray’s Mill beginning on the First Monday in June, after which he will teach a music school. We hope to have a large attendance.
Rev. R. P. Fain is holding a tent meeting here now. He began Saturday, holding his first service Saturday evening. Miss McCord, who is just from the Kansas City training school, lectured Sunday afternoon. They had three services on Sunday but only two in the week, at four o’clock in the afternoon and 7:30 in the evening.
There was quite a crowd out Sunday afternoon to hear Miss McCord’s lecture. She is a noble Christian worker.
Little John Arthur Yarborough happened to a painful accident last week on his way to school. He cut his foot on a piece of broken bottle on the railroad. He went on to the school but when he reached the school house he came near fainting. He teacher sent for the doctor and he was taken home at once. He can’t walk yet, but we hope he will soon be able to go back to school.
The Luckie Lumber Co. have started up their planing mill here.
Misses Ada and Eula Starling gave an entertainment one night last week in honor of the cousin, Miss Pearl Hardie. Miss Hardie returned to her home in Hahira Monday.
Miss Pearl Barfield is visiting her sister, Mrs. Norman Starling, for a while.
Mr. Lester Starling and Mr. Gordon Hardie spent Sunday in Bemis.
Miss Neta Bradford, of Valdosta, with a number of Cat Creek people, was out at church Sunday evening.
Miss Mary Simmons, of the King’s Chapel district, visited her sister, Mrs. R. R. Moore Sunday.
Mrs. Hardie, of Hahira, is visiting the family of Mr. W. H. E. Terry this week.
We regret very much to say that Mrs. W. H. E. Terry of Ray’s Mill is very sick. She has been sick a little over a week and she is very low, but we trust she will recover.

Notes:

Neta Bradford was a student at Kings Chapel School in 1905 and attended Norman Institute in 1906

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Lyman F. Giddens’ Barbershop

March 4, 2013 at 12:39 am (Barber Shops, Giddens Family, Hardie Family)
Tags: Lyman F. Giddens, Ray City GA

Lyman Franklin Giddens 1876-1963 in his barber shop in Ray City. He served in many capacities for the Ray City community including Justice of the Peace and Mayor. Image and caption courtesy of berriencountyga.com

Lyman Giddens’ barbershop was one of the historic businesses of Ray City, GA.

The barbershop was in a small one-story wooden building located on the south side of Main Street, about where the present day Post Office is located. Next door, on the west of Franklin’s barbershop was the first gasoline station ever built in Ray City, GA. The gas station was in a brick building constructed around 1925 by Gordon V. Hardie. The gas station was set back further off the street than the other businesses, but a shelter extended out from the building to cover the gas pumps. Next in line was was Leon Bradford’s barbershop. Then came the grocery store owned by Marvin and Arlie Purvis which was next to the tracks of Georgia & Florida railroad. Between Purvis’s Grocery Store and the tracks, was the big wooden water tower which provided water for the old steam engines that pulled the trains. These buildings were located on the south side of Main Street just east of the tracks.

In addition to operating the barbershop, Lyman F. Giddens was Justice of the Peace. He conducted his official business out of the barbershop. He kept a desk in the corner of the shop that was always piled high with papers.

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Feb 4, 1911 Ray’s Mill News Items

February 6, 2013 at 11:25 pm (Baskin Family, Clements Family, Fender Family, Hardie Family, Knight Family, Langford Family, Luckie Family, Swindle Family, Terry Family, Uncategorized, Webb Family)
Tags: A.L. Bridges, Anna Eliza Fender, Austin Lawrence Bridges, Beaver Dam Missionary Society, Charles Oscar Terry, David C. Clements, Dr. H.W. Clements, Eugenia Clements, Fannie Ellen Hagan, Fannie Lola Clements, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Henry Warren Clements, James B. Baskin, James S. Swindle, Jesse Thomas Webb, John L. Webb, Leslie Alma Langford, Lessie E. Carter, Lorenzo D. Carter, Luther Etheldred Langford, Martha J. Baskin, Martha J. Clements, Mary Ann Harrell, Mary Virginia Knight, Mary Webb, Nebbie Luckie, Nix & Miller Co., Ray's Mill GA, Roena Clements, Walter Aultman, Walter Greene Altman, William Etheldred Langford, William F. Luckie, William Henry Edward Terry, William Lawrence Swindle, William Manson Carter, Wilson W. Fender

Rays Mill news items appearing in the Feb 4, 1911 Valdosta Times were about the business and social scene in the new town.

The Valdosta Times
Saturday, February 4, 1911, page 7,
Rays Mill News Items

     Mr. A.L. Bridges has moved into his new building here.
     Mr. W. L. Swindle, of Nashville, has accepted a position with his brother, Mr. J.S. Swindle, of this place.
     Miss Leslie Langford returned to Rays Mill Wednesday night from Vidalia.
Mrs. L. J. Clements is spending a few days in Milltown this week.
    Mr. G. V. Hardee, druggist of this place, moved in his new building Wednesday.
    Mr. I. Burkhalter made a business trip to Nashville Wednesday.
    Mr. Floyd Fender, of Tifton, is visiting Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Fender for a few days.
    Mrs. Baskin, Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Dr. Clements, Miss Fannie Clements and Miss Lessie Carter represented Beaver Dam Missionary Society at the missionary rally in Valdosta last Tuesday, January 31, and lunch was served at the Tabernacle. They report a good meeting, also a pleasant time for all who attended.
    Mr. A. L. Taylor, of Nashville, has bought Mr. J.T. Webb’s store.
    Mr. W. M. Carter, of Rays Mill, visited Tifton last Saturday returning Sunday night.
    Mr. W. H. Terry made a business trip to Valdosta Wednesday.
    Mr. George Norton spent a few days in Macon last week returning Monday night.

Ray City News appeared in The Valdosta Times, Feb 4, 1911.

Austin Lawrence Bridges was a merchant from who came to Ray City in 1909 with his bride, Della Pope. He bought a house on Jones Street and opened a dry goods store.

William Lawrence Swindle was a farmer of the Ray City area and former Sheriff of Berrien County. He was a brother of James S. Swindle, and son of James Swindle, Pioneer Settler.

Leslie Alma Langford was the daughter of William E. Langford and Mary Virginia Knight, and sister of Luther Etheldred Langford. In 1918 she married Walter Greene Altman. At the time he was a clerk working for Nix & Miller Company, a sawmill in Ray City, GA, but shortly thereafter he became an ice dealer. Later Walter owned a cafe where Leslie worked as a waitress.

Mrs. L. J. Clements was Eugenia Watkins Clements, wife of Lucius J. Clements. Her parents were Sarah and Thomas H. Watkins, of Whitesburg, Carroll County, GA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Grange College in 1907.

Gordon Vancie Hardie was a druggist and entrepreneur of Ray City.

Isaac Burkhalter, Jr was born 1863 in Clinch County, GA just weeks before his father, Captain Isaac Burkhalter was killed at Gettysburg. Isaac Burkhalter, the son, made his home at Rays Mill some time before 1900 with his wife, Marentha Sirmans, where he engaged in farming until his death.

Wilson W. Fender was the owner of the Fender Hotel in Ray City. His wife Lena Fender was in millinery. His eldest son was telephone lineman Floyd Fender, of Tifton, and his younger son’s were Ike and Lutie. Ike Fender was a telephone operator and Lutie Fender was a soda jerk.

The Ladies of the Beaver Dam Missionary Society

Mrs. Baskin mentioned in the story could have been one of several Baskin women: Mary Ann Harrell Baskin, second wife of James B. Baskin; her step-daughter, Fannie Ellen Hagan Baskin; or another of the Baskin wives. The Baskin family helped found the Baptist Church at Ray City.
Mrs. Terry was Nebbie Luckie Terry. She was a daughter of William F. Luckie and wife of W. H. E. Terry, also mentioned in the article.
Mrs. Dr. Clements was Pauline Nelson Clements, wife of Dr. Henry Warren Clements. Dr. Clements owned the second gasoline powered automobile in Berrien County, a Maxwell Doctor’s Roadster.
Miss Fannie Lola Clements was a daughter of Martha J. Cements and David C. Clements.
Miss Lessie E. Carter was a daughter of Lorenzo D. Carter and Anna Eliza Fender.

Jesse Thomas Webb, who sold his store in Rays Mill, was a son of Mary and John L. Webb, of the Connells Mill District. After selling his store in Rays Mill he moved to Tifton, GA and opened a store there.

William Manson Carter was a son of Lorenzo D. Carter and Anna Eliza Fender, and brother of Lessie E. Carter. In 1917 he worked as a druggist for C. O. Terry.

William Henry Edward Terry came to Ray City about 1910 and built the first brick building in the new town.

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In 1934 Ray City was ‘Noted Section’ of Berrien County

January 4, 2013 at 12:11 am (Barber Shops, Hardie Family, Historic Businesses, Ray City School, Society and Leisure, Swindle Family)
Tags: Armstrong B. Baskin, B. Ridgell Jones Drug Store, Bradford Barber Shop, D. T. Sharpe, E. J. Patten, Emma Warr, Eulalie Dickson, F.A. Ratcliff, Georgia and Florida railroad, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Griner Corn Mill, Henry A. Swindle, Henry Washington Woodard, Hod P. Clements, James A. Grissett, James F. Fountain, James Henry Swindle, James M. Studstill, Jessie Aycock, Lacy A. McDonald, Lillian Ford, Minnie Lee Hancock Baskin, Moses Albert Studstill, Prentice Munson Shultz, Purvis Grocery Store, Putnal Barber Shop, Ray City GA, Ray City Ice and Cold Storage Company, Ray's Mill, Rays Mill Pond, Swain Garage, Swindle and Clements, T. W. Thompson, Ulmer Crosby, W.M. Creech, Walter Branch, Wayne Putnal, Weeks Grocery Store, William Morty Creech, Wilma Shultz, Woodard Blacksmith Shop, Y. F. Carter Naval Stores, Yancey F. Carter

Ray City began 1934 on an optimistic note. A “booster” story from the Nashville Herald praised the farming, education, churches, municipal government, roads and businesses of Ray City.

The Nashville Herald,
January 25, 1934, Pg 1

RAY CITY IS NOTED SECTION

Excellent Community of Berrien County and South Georgia – Fine Farming Section

In writing about different communities of Berrien County it is next to impossible to neglect the city of Ray City and the large farming territory surrounding it. The Ray City section constitutes the southern portion of Berrien County, where extensive farm operations are carried on during every month of the year in all lines of endeavor.

The trading point is the city of Ray City, just ten miles south of Nashville, the county seat. It has a population of around 500 people, all of whom are industrious and hospitable, with fine schools, churches and live wire merchants. There is no better place in south Georgia to live than Ray City.

The farming population surrounding Ray City constitute an industrious and progressive people. To a certain measure they are prosperous, because everything to be raised on a farm can be grown on their fertile lands, and each year their products find ready markets, returning to them cash in abundance. The section is noted for its fine tobacco and cotton lands and is a hog and cattle raising territory of excellent possibilities.

The city of Ray City affords every convenience and comfort for the citizens of the community. There is a fine school system, which is under the capable and efficient supervision of Prof. P. M. Shultz. Prof. Ulmer Crosby is principal, and the other teachers are: Mrs. P. M. Shultz, Miss Jessie Aycock, Mrs. A.B. Baskins, Miss Lillian Ford and Mrs. Eulalie Dickson.

The school has nine grades, with an enrollment of a few over the two hundred mark. A number of fine students complete the school each year, advancing to higher institutions of learning. The school system in Ray City is really a big asset, (illegible) a higher type of citizenry.

The school board is composed of the following gentlemen who handle their duties in a most admirable manner and of benefit to patrons and students combined. H.A. Swindle, chairman, M.A. Studstill, sec.-treasl., C.H. Vickers, J.M. Studstill and W.M. Creech, members.

Ray City is not short either along the spiritual line, having four active churches as follows: Baptist, Rev. Walter Branch, pastor; Methodist, Rev. F.A. Ratcliffe, pastor; Primitive Baptist, Elder C.H. Vickers, pastor; Christian, supply pastor. The Baptist and Methodist churches conduct Sunday Schools, and young people’s organizations.

The affairs of the city of Ray City are in the hands of men who apparently have the united support of the people, as the entire body was recently re-elected to office. J. H. Swindle is mayor, and the councilmen are: G.V. Hardie, Y.F. Carter, H.P. Clements and W.M. Creech.

The standing committees for the year 1934 are: Water and lights, G.V. Hardie and Y.F. Carter; Street, W.M. Creech and H.P. Clements; Sanitary, entire city council.

In questioning the mayor, Mr. J. H. Swindle, he stated that the city enjoyed a very good administration the past year, and that 1934 was begun with the city in much better financial condition than a year ago.

Ray City is soon to enjoy one of the best highway outlets of any small city in south Georgia. It is located on Route No. 11, the short route into Florida from Atlanta. This highway has been recently graded for paving and at some future date this work will be a reality. Other good roads lead out in all directions as well. It is located on the Georgia and Florida railroad, and is one of the railroad’s most important shipping points. Mr. T.W. Thompson is the G. & F. Agent, having served in that capacity for a long number of years.

The postmistress is Mrs. J. F. Fountain, and the rural mail carriers are James Grissett and L.A. McDonald.

There are also several industries which add to the progressiveness of the town and community.

The Ray City Ice & Storage Company, of which Mr. D.T. Sharpe is manager, serves a wide territory. At present this concern has on storage over 100,000 pounds of meat being cured for farmers.

The Y.F. Carter Naval Stores concern is the largest firm in the community, where approximately fifty men are given employment. This firm operates over ten crops of boxes, the leases affording additional revenue for landowners. It has been in operation for about eighteen years.

The J.H. Swindle Gins and Warehouse is another concern of benefit to the entire section. Plants are located at Ray City and Barrett, being among the most up to date in south Georgia. Mr. Swindle buys cotton and cotton seed, corn, peanuts, hay and other country produce. Besides gin and warehouse activities he operates a twelve horse farm.

The Peoples Banking Company, a private institution, is owned by Mr. J. H. Swindle, with Mr. E. J. Patten as cashier. This bank was organized several years ago by Mr. Swindle when Ray City lost its regular bank, so as to carry on the business operations locally and without interruptions.

Mrs. R.N. Warr is owner of old Ray Pond, famous for its fishing for the past hundred years. Mrs. Warr acquired the pond about two years ago, and since has created a good income out of the sale of minnows, pond plants, frogs, and tadpoles. The pond covers an area of approximately 4,000 acres.

Among Ray City’s most enterprising merchants are: Swindle & Clements, B. Ridgell Jones Drug Store, Purvis Grocery Store, Weeks Grocery Store, Hardie Filling Station, South Georgia Oil Company, Bradford Barber Shop, Putnell Barber Shop, Swain Garage, Woodward Blacksmith Shop, Griner Corn Mill and others.

_{Transcription courtesy of Skeeter Parker}

James Henry Swindle ~ Businessman and Public Servant

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Luckie Stop at Ray City

July 27, 2012 at 12:04 am (Georgia & Florida Railroad, Hardie Family, Historic Businesses, Luckie Family)
Tags: Andrew Turner, Anita Inez Parks, Annie Lee Dudley, Annie Mae Carter, Annie Mae Luckie, C.B. Shaw, Cairo GA, Candler C. Luckie, Delaney Sayers, Elizabeth Susan Luckie, F.D. Ratcliff, Falby Anna Luckie, Fannie C. Luckie, Fulton Woodard Luckie, GA, George Norton, Georgia and Florida railroad, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Hortense GA, James Luckie, James Martin Sayers, John Parks Luckie, Julia Dudley, Levi J. Clements, Luckie GA, Luckie Lumber Company, Margie Dasher, Marie Dudley, Mary Luckie, McRae Georgia, Nebbie Luckie, Nida Inez Parks, Oak Hill Cemetery, Pearl Hardie Knight, Penfield, Quitman GA, Ray City GA, Ray City Methodist Church, Remerton GA, Rosa Kate Luckie, Spence GA, Tabbie Luckie, W.E. Hightower, W.H.E. Terry, Will Clements, William F. Luckey, William F. Luckie, William H. Luckie, William M Luckie, William Sayers, Willis Heard Luckie

Luckie Lumber Company

In the early 1900s there were at least 86 lumber mills situated on the line of the Georgia & Florida Railroad running from Augusta, GA to Madison, FL, some 250 odd miles. A big sawmill was situated on the railroad just above Ray City, at a stop known as Luckie. First operated under the name Luckie Lumber Company, it was owned by William F. Luckie. About 1911, W.F. Luckie sold out to Levi J. Clements and his sons. It appears that the Clements may have continued to operate under the name Luckie Lumber Company for several years, for the business was still listed under this name in the March 15, 1915 edition of the Lumber Trade Journal. (see also Clements Lumber Company and the Company Town; November 6, 1923 ~ Big Fire Loss at the Ray City Sawmill)

William Floyd Luckie, 1858-1937, operated the Luckie Lumber Company at Ray City, GA

William Floyd Luckie

William Floyd Luckie, Jr. was born on October 15, 1858 in Greene County, Georgia. He was a son of William F. Luckie and Delaney Sayers, but was orphaned at an early age. His father was killed in 1859.

“In 1859, a runaway slave of William Luckey’s was captured. While attempting to punish him, the slave grabbed a knife and stabbed Luckey to death.” http://www.inheritage.org/almanack/c_greene_03.html

In 1861, his mother followed in death.

Afterward, William Floyd Luckie and his sisters, Falby and Mary were raised by their grandfather, James Martin Sayers, on his farm near Penfield, GA. William Floyd Luckie was enumerated there in 1870 as William Sayers. At the time, he was assisting his grandfather with farm labor.

On March 20, 1887 William Floyd Luckie married Anita Inez Parks in Dodge County, GA. She was born in 1863 in Georgia.

Anita Inez Parks, first wife of William Floyd Luckie.

By the census of 1900 the couple had seven children and made their home in Hortense, GA in Wayne County, GA (now Brantley Co.) William was working as a merchant. Hortense is situated on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which ran the fast mail train through the town, from New York to Jacksonville. But the town generated such little traffic that it wasn’t even a flag stop for the railroad.

Children of Anita “Nida” Inez Parks and William Floyd Luckie:

Fulton Woodard Luckie (1880-)
Annie Mae Luckie (1891-1971)
Nebbie I or J Luckie (1892-1977)
Willis Heard Luckie (1894- abt 1984)
Fannie C Luckie (1895- )
Rosa Kate Luckie (1897- )
Candler C Luckie (1899)
William M Luckie (1902-1931)
John Parks Luckie (November 14, 1903 – October 23, 1996)

It appears that the Luckies moved about 85 miles from Hortense to McRae, GA sometime before 1903. Anita Inez Parks died May 5, 1906 and was buried there at Oak Grove Cemetery. William was left a widower with eight minor children to raise.

About 1907 William F. Luckie married a second time. In 1908 a son was born to this union, James Luckie (1908-1974). Elizabeth Susan and William Floyd Luckie were enumerated in McRae, GA with their children in 1910. William was working as a sawmill superintendent; Elizabeth was keeping house. In McRae, the Luckies owned a home on Huckabee Street, named in honor of William Allen Huckabee. Huckabee was first president of South Georgia College, a school which had been founded at McRae about 1885.

Shortly after the 1910 census William F. Luckie came to the newly incorporated town of Ray City, GA. Mr. Luckie founded the Luckie Lumber Company, a business that within a decade would grow to be one of the largest employers in the area. The big sawmill was located on the tracks of the Georgia and Florida about a mile north of town.

Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Luckie were among the first members of the Ray City Methodist Church, along with Will Terry, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Turner, Mrs. Julia Dudley, Annie Lee Dudley, and Marie Dudley. The Church was organized by brother F.D. Ratcliff on October 29, 1910. The Rev. W.E. Hightower of Remerton, Georgia served as the first pastor. Originally the services were held in a tent on the north side of town near the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Will Clements.

The business and social activities of the newcomers were newsworthy. The Valdosta Times, Saturday, November 26, 1910, noted:

Mrs. B.W. Boyd and Mrs. W.F. Luckie, of Ray’s Mill came down yesterday and spent the day in this city on a shopping trip.

and in January 19, 1911 The Valdosta Times reported from Rays Mill:

Mr. W. F. Luckie made a business trip to McRae last Saturday returning Monday.

In time, the Luckie children were on the social scene in Berrien county. The Atlanta Constitution noted Willis Heard Luckie among the Ray City young people at the Nashville, GA carnival in 1914.

Atlanta Constitution, Feb 8, 1914, pg 8 M

Nashville (news items)

Rays Mill was well represented at the carnival last week. Misses Annie Mae Carter, Margie Dasher, Pearl Hardie Knight, Mr. and Mrs. G. V. Harvie, W. H. Luckie, George Norton, J. J. and J. S. Clements and C.B . Shaw were among the visitors.

Some time between 1914 and 1920, William F. Luckie had moved his family to Spence, GA in Grady County where he was operating a sawmill at the time of the 1920 census. But by 1921, the Luckies moved to Cairo, GA.

By the time of the 1930 census, William and Elizabeth Luckie had returned to Ray City. They lived in town in a rented house; William Luckie engaged in truck farming.

William Floyd Luckie died on 16 Aug 1937 in Quitman, Brooks, Georgia. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Quitman, Georgia.

William Floid Luckie (1858-1937), Oak Hill Cemetery, Quitman, GA.

After his death, Elizabeth S. Luckie went to live in the home of her daughter Nebbie and son-in-law William H. Terry, on South Broad Street in Quitman, GA. She died on May 1, 1953 and is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Quitman, GA.

Elizabeth Susan Luckie, (1876-1953), Oak Hill Cemetery, Quitman, GA.

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G. V. Hardie Was Visionary Merchant

July 3, 2012 at 12:08 am (Hardie Family, Historic Businesses, Remedies and Medicine)
Tags: A. K. Hawkes Company, Addie B. Hardy, Addie B. Hodges, Beaver Dam, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Grover Hardie, Hahira GA, Irvin Hodges, Jessie F. Hardie, Lila D. Hardie, Lowndes County GA, Maud Hardie, Pearl Hardie Knight, Perry Thomas Knight, Pinetta FL, Plimp Hodges, Ray City GA, Ray's Mill GA, Withlacoochee FL

For about 30 years in the early 1900s Gordon Vancie Hardie was a merchant of Ray City, GA. Among his marketing strategies was an arrangement with A. K. Hawkes Company to bring a visiting optician to Ray City.

By special arrangement, the firm of A. K. Hawkes, Optician, Atlanta, GA made visits to rural drug stores, like that of Ray City, GA merchant G. V. Hardie.

G. V. Hardie ran advertisements in The Valdosta Times announcing this service for his patrons.

Feb 3, 1912 announcement in The Valdosta Times: G. V. Hardie, Ray City Druggist, brings optomistrist to town.

Feb 3, 1912 announcement in The Valdosta Times: G. V. Hardie, Ray City druggist, brings A. K. Hawkes optician to town.

A. K. Hawkes Company, eyeglasses and case. Image source: http://www.rubylane.com/item/634706-1003111/K-Hawkes-Co-Eyeglasses-Case

About Gordon Vancie Hardie (1890-1937)…

Gordon Vancie Hardie was born in Pinetta, Florida on Tuesday, May 13, 1890, a son of Jessie F. and Lila D. Hardie. Gordon had a brother, Grover, who became a physician, and two sisters, Pearl and Maud.

Gordon spent his boyhood days in Florida; at the time of the census of 1900, his family was living in Withlacoochee, Madison County, Florida.

By 1910, Gordon’s father had moved the family to Georgia. Nineteen year-old Gordon was living in his parents household in Hahira, GA, where his father had acquired a farm.

While his father farmed, Gordon worked as a drygoods salesman. One of the merchants in town was Irvin “Plimp” Hodges. Plimp had spent most of his life farming in Lower Fork, Lowndes County, GA, but some time prior to 1910 he brought his wife and daughter, Addie, to live in Hahira, GA. Perhaps Gordon Hardie met Addie at her father’s store. Somehow they became acquainted and soon enough they were married.

Gordon Vancie Hardie and Addie B. Hodges were wed on November 25, 1912 in Lowndes County, GA. Perry T. Knight, Minister of God and native of Ray’s Mill, GA, performed the ceremony.

From about 1911 to his death in 1937 Gordon Vancie Hardie made Ray City, GA his home. He was buried in Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.

Grave marker of Gordon Vancie Hardie, Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.

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Checking on Citizens Bank of Ray City

December 10, 2010 at 1:27 am (Banking, Folsom Family, Guthrie Family, Hardie Family, Historic Businesses, Purvis Family)
Tags: Berrien County GA, C.O. Terry, Citizens Bank of Ray City, Dr. George Hill Folsom, Effie Guthrie, Effie Knight, G. M. Purvis General Merchandise, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Marvin Purvis, Ray City GA

Canceled checks drawn on the Citizens Bank of Ray City, Ray City, GA document some of the local businesses that Effie Guthrie Knight transacted with during 1927.

1927 check drawn on the Citizens Bank of Ray City and made payable to Dr. Folsom.

As the check above shows, Dr. George Hill Folsom came to Berrien County, GA some time prior to 1927. He established his home in Ray City where he engaged in general practice. A check in the amount of $1.00 might have been typical payment for an office visit in that time.

1927 check written by Effie Knight to C.O. Terry, and drawn on the Citizens Bank of Ray City.

Written the same day as the previous check, this check to Ray City pharmacist, C. O. Terry, may have been to fill a prescription written by Dr. George Hill Folsom.

Check drawn on the Citizens Bank of Ray City in payment to G. M. Purvis

Another check written by Effie Knight is made out to G.M. Purvis. Guy Marvin Purvis owned a general merchandise store in Ray City, GA. Furthermore, he was Effie’s brother-in-law so naturally she’d be inclined to do business there.

A check made out July 5, 1927 to G.V. Hardie in the amount of twelve dollars and seventy cents, and drawn on the account of Effie Knight at The Citizens Bank of Ray City.

In the 1920s, Gordon Vancie Hardie opened up the first gas station in Ray City, GA. The check above may have been payment for service on Effie Knight’s car.

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Addie Hodges Hardie of Ray City, GA

December 2, 2010 at 12:32 am (Hardie Family, Uncategorized)
Tags: Addie B. Hodges, Annie Mae Carter, Beaver Dam Cemetery, Berrien County GA, Francis Marion Shaw, Gordon Vancie Hardie, Hahira GA, Irvin Hodges, Lessie Lee Guthrie, Perry Thomas Knight, Plimp Hodges, Ray City GA, Ray's Mill, Rossie Futch

Addie B. Hodges was born March 15, 1889 in Lowndes County, GA. When she was a young woman, she moved with her family to Hahira, GA. Her father, Irvin “Plimp” Hodges, was one of the merchants in town. In the mercantile business he probably had contact with salesmen in the drygoods line; salesmen like Gordon Hardie. At any rate, Addie and Gordon became aquainted and, by and by, they were married.

Marriage Certificate of Gordon Vancie Hardie and Addie B. Hodges

Gordon Vancie Hardie and Addie B. Hodges were wed on November 25, 1912 in Lowndes County, GA. Perry T. Knight, Minister of God and native of Ray’s Mill, GA (nka Ray City), performed the ceremony.

It seems that by the time they married, Gordon had already moved to Ray City, where he had gone into business for himself.

The Hardies where part of the social scene in Berrrien county. Although the press didn’t get their name right in the society item below, it was just one of many errors:

Atlanta Constitution, Feb 8, 1914, pg 8 M
Nashville (news items)

Rays Mill was well represented at the carnival last week. Misses Annie Mae Carter, Margie Dasher, Pearl Hardie Knight, Mr. and Mrs. G. V. Harvie, W. H. Luckie, George Norton, J. J. and J. S. Clements and C.B . Shaw were among the visitors.

The year 1919 was a difficult one for the Hardies. That summer, they lost an infant boy. The babe was buried at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.

Sometime after 1924 the Hardies purchased a big white house with a high roof, on the north side of Jones Street on the block between Ward street and Samuel Street. The house was originally built about 1917 for Rachel and Francis Marion Shaw (See Francis Marion Shaw Historical Site by Brian Shaw). The Hardies occupied the house for many years. They kept a big garden on the lot west of the house, on the corner of Ward and Jones Street.

Ray City, GA home built circa 1917 for Francis Marion and Rachel Horne Shaw was later the residence of Gordon V. Hardie and wife, Addie Hodges Hardie. Image courtesy of http://berriencountyga.com/

Gordon Vancie Hardie died March 27, 1937 at just 46 years old. He was buried at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.

Gordon Vancie Hardie (1890-1937), Beaver Dam Cemeter, Ray City, GA

In the 1950s, the widow Addie B. Hardie was a dear friend and neighbor to Lessie Guthrie Futch. Lessie and Rossie Futch lived first in a small house next door to the Hardies on the east, then after 1951 directly across Jones Street, opposite the Hardie residence. Addie Hardie was a frequent visitor to the Futch home. Most afternoons, Mrs. Hardie would cross the street to visit with Lessie, and to have one of Lessie’s hot baked biscuits. When Lessie’s daughter happened to be visiting, she would do Mrs. Hardie’s hair.

Addie Hodges Hardie died October 9, 1972. She was buried next to her husband at Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA.

Addie Hodges Hardie (1889-1972), Beaver Dam Cemetery, Ray City, GA

The Shaw/Hardie house on Jones Street was destroyed by fire in 1972, and the car shed seen in the background in the photo above was demolished in 2010. The lot where they stood is still vacant. The Hardie’s big garden is now occupied by a modern brick house.

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