Harvey, John H. Sr.

HARVEY, LYMAN, ROBERTS, STEWART, BODLEY, FENTON, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/30/2009 at 12:43:24

Harvey, John H. Sr.

The history of Jasper County reveals the handiwork of many a great and noble soul who wrought heroically and unselfishly. Her smiling fields and splendid homes, her high-grade institutions, her happy, prospering people speak volumes of someone's steadfastness of purpose, of someone's strength of arm, courage of heart, activity of brain-of someone's sacrifice. But time, that grim obliterator, before whose destroying fingers even the stubborn granite must, in the end succumb, is ever at his work of disintegration. Beneath his blighting touch even memory fails, and too often a life of glorious achievement is forgotten in a day. Lest we forget, then, this tribute to the elder John H. Harvey is penned. Pioneer, early freighter, a public-spirited, brave, kindly, generous man, it is the desire of the biographer, as it must be of all who know him, that his deeds and his character be recorded for the benefit of those who follow after. By no means rich, as mere worldly possessions are estimated, he is rich in a thousand thronging memories of the rugged days, long gone, when hardy men stood shoulder to shoulder and fought to conquer the western wilderness. Hale and strong, although well past eighty, he may be seen, almost daily, moving about the streets of Newton, now a city, but, when first he saw it, a mere cluster of huts, set in the midst of the new prairie. A few there were who preceded him into this virgin country, but they are very few, Mr. Harvey having been numbered among its very first settlers. He freighted the first printing press to be seen in Newton, from Muscatine, and did many other useful things in the course of natural events, always doing whatever he could to encourage the growth of the County.

Mr. Harvey was born in Madison County, New York, January 15, 1828, and he is the son of Nathan and Oriel (Lyman) Harvey, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. Nathan Harvey originally worked as a wool dresser, but, after following this occupation some five years, he began farming, then, when his son, John H., of this review, was about four years old, he sold his farm and began keeping a tavern on the famous old Cherry Valley Turnpike. This the father conducted for over sixteen years, the place becoming widely known to the traveling public. Thus the boyhood and young manhood of the son was full of that romance which clung so tenaciously about those early hostelries. Day after day he watched the wagons come and go which were bearing the emigrants from the east westward, and night by night he sat by the roaring fire-place and listened to many a fine old tale of adventure or sentiment. But though the tavern had a public bar in connection and drinking was very common, he never touched liquor, and this fact. When we consider the easy freedom of those early times, speaks much for his sterling character.

When about twenty-five years of age, Mr. Harvey came to Jasper County and three years later his father came. In December 1857, he built the house where he now resides in Newton. For a year his parents lived with him. He then moved to himself and later to Harrison County, Iowa, where his father and mother both died.

John H. Harvey was married when about twenty years old while living in New York, to Percy Ann Roberts, who died two years later, leaving three children, namely: Charles, who is now living in Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Mrs. R. N. Stewart, of Severs, Iowa; and Mrs. Eva Bodley, of Jasper County. When Mr. Harvey came west he left the children with his father and mother. Mr. Harvey was again married, his second wife being Harriet Fenton, who died about eighteen years ago; to this union five children were born, all of whom are living, namely: Edward, William, John H., Jr., and Carrie L., all of Newton; and George, who lives at Laramie, Wyoming.

John H. Harvey, Jr., was born on September 7, 1871, in Newton, and he has spent his life in Jasper County. He is a painter by trade and since he was sixteen years of age he has successfully followed this occupation. During the last ten years he has been employed in the works of the Maytag Manufacturing Company, the last nine years of this period performing very acceptably the duties of foreman of the painting department. He has charge of the painting of all the manufactured output of the factory. On April 10, 1895 he was united in marriage with Louise Miller, a native of Wisconsin and the daughter of Conrad Miller, both her parents being natives of Germany. They immigrated to America in an early day and settled in Wisconsin, later came to Jasper County, Iowa, and they are now living on a farm near Baxter, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. John H. Harvey, Jr., have been born two children, Harlan J., born April 17, 1898, and Edwena, a daughter, born September 7, 1903, her father's birthday.

Mrs. Harvey is a member of the German Reform Church, and she and Mr. Harvey belong to the Pythian Sisters. The latter is very prominent in lodge circles. He is a member of Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Newton, of which he is senior deacon, also Delta Lodge No. 53, Knights of Pythias, of Newton. He has passed all the chairs in this lodge and is at present one of the trustees of the grand lodge of Iowa. He is also a member of the Yeomen.

Young Mr. Harvey has been active in political affairs for some time, and in 1904 he was nominated as Democratic candidate for auditor of Jasper County, but was defeated, though he made an exceptionally strong race, running ahead of his ticket. At the spring election, 1909* he was elected to the city council of Newton, and, having made a most creditable record, he was reelected in the spring of 1911. He has served his party organization in many ways and is a clean, energetic and capable young business man, having the trust and respect of all who know him. His sister, Carrie, is a popular newspaper woman, of exceptional ability and intelligence; she is connected with the Newton Daily Journal, one of the leading papers of this section of the state.

Since coming to Jasper County, May 21, 1854, John H. Harvey, Sr., has spent nearly all of his time in the County. As a freighter he was once an important factor in the early affairs of the County. For a number of years he hauled all kinds of goods from Muscatine to Newton, then, in 1859, he began freighting westward to Denver. In 1864 he turned his attention to farming, which he continued successfully up to sixteen years ago, since which time he has led a retired life, and, at peace with all the world, he is now enjoying that consideration and good will which a life well spent has earned for him. While never considering himself a politician, he has always taken the keenest interest in politics and in those great movements, which make for the advancement and betterment of his fellow men. He has served the city of Newton as supervise of roads and was for nine years constable, his duties taking him all over this country. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist and politically, while he voted for Abraham Lincoln, he is now a Democrat.

The subject is one of seven children, but four of whom are living; they are: Miles, the eldest, died in New Tacoma, California; John H., of this review, was second in order of birth; Addison died in Harrison County, Iowa O. B. lives in Ashland, Colorado; Emmet lives in St. Charles, Iowa; Mrs. Theodora Gee, widow of George W. Gee, lives in Oakland, California; Mary died in Harrison County, Iowa. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 660.