Harmony Grove Cemetery is located behind the historic Harmony Grove Church, a rare surviving example of an early Protestant brick church in California’s Central Valley.
The cemetery covers approximately seven acres and contains over 3,500 graves, many of which are of some of the earliest pioneers of San Joaquin County. It hold veterans from the Spanish American War, the Civil War, both WWI and WWII as well as more recent conflicts. After falling into disrepair in the late 1940s, it was revived by a descendant-led volunteer association in 1966. Today, the 7-acre cemetery is actively maintained by a non-profit board and members, and historic preservationists. Harmony Grove offers a variety of memorial properties to suit the needs of the community.
Notable Burials
Anna L. Ennis (1859-1860), 1-year-old daughter of William and Alginette Ennis, was the first recorded burial in Harmony Grove Cemetery. Anna succumbed to bronchitis in 1860.
George Hicks Harris (1871-1934) An inventor and developer who created a gasoline-powered harvester that had a major impact on California’s agriculture industry.
Laura De Force Gordon (1838-1907), journalist, spiritualist, and advocate for women’s rights. Not only a California pioneer, Laura was an early leader in the suffragist movement, becoming the first person in the state to speak publicly on women’s suffrage and organizer of suffrage societies in Northern California.
Nathaniel Howard Locke and Lucinda Clapp Locke. Nathaniel, successful rancher and stockbreeder, was the third child of Lockeford’s Founder, Dr. Dean Jewett Locke and Delia Hammond Locke. His wife, Lucinda Clapp Locke, was the author of a transcript entitled, Early Land Marks, a guide identifying the natural landmarks, historic locations, and early pioneers of Elliot Township.
Charles H. Dial (1830-1916) , fought in the Mexican-American War. He became constable of Elliott township and ran the Lockeford Hotel.
Cover photo: A rephotography montage image displaying present-day Harmony Grove Church with an inset image of the same view taken in the 1930s. The young man in photograph is Milliard Hamsher, who is interred in the cemetery.