Harvey, David

HARVEY, WARNER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 3/19/2005 at 11:37:01

David Harvey

David Harvey, a well-known and substantial retired farmer, of Union township, this county, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, but has been a resident of this county since he was sixteen years of age and thus very properly may be counted among the pioneers of the county. He was born on February 3, 1856, son of David and Catherine Harvey, the former a native of Scotland and the later of Ireland, whose last days were spent in this county.

The senior David Harvey was but seven years of age when his parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada and settled near the city of Montreal, where he grew to manhood on a farm and where he received his schooling. Upon reaching manhood's estate he entered a claim to a homestead tract in Canada and after "proving up" the same entered a second claim, which he also "proved up" and cleared, meantime marrying and becoming a substantial farmer. In 1872 he disposed of his interest in Canada and came to Iowa, settling in Plymouth county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Upon coming to this county the senior David Harvey bought a homestead right to a tract of eighty acres in section 4 of Union township, paying for the same one thousand dollars. The place had some improvements on it, including a claim shack and a grove, which had been planted by the original homesteader, and Mr. Harvey proceeded to further improve the same, presently having a well-improved and profitably cultivated farm there. As he prospered in his operations he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of four hundred acres of excellent land in this county. Here his death occurred in 1909, he then being at the great age of ninety-six years. His wife had preceded him to the grave about six years, her death having occurred in 1903, at the age of eighty-three. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still livings, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow; Mrs. E. H. Brown, of O'Leary, this county; Mrs. James Read, of Canada; Robert, of Huron, South Dakota, and Samuel, of Lemars, this county.

The junior David Harvey was about seventeen years of age when he came to this county with his parents and his schooling was completed in the schools of Union township. From boyhood he was a valued assistant to his father in the labors of developing the home place and remained at home, thus engaged, until his marriage in 1882, when he began farming on his own account, moving onto the quarter section in Union township, which he now owns, and where he ever since has made his home. Mr. Harvey made valuable improvemnts on this farm and there he continued actively engaged in farming until the spring of 1916, when he retired from the management of the place and turned it over to his sons, who are now in charge, though Mr.and Mrs. Harvey continue to make their home there, where they and their family are very comfortably situated.

In 1882 David Harvey was united in marriage to Florence Warner, and to this union eleven children have been born, Guy, Wallace, Cassie, George, Sarah, Harry, Samuel, John, Julian, William and Walter. Guy Harvey married Minnie Magnus and has four children; Cassie Harvey married A. L. Koenig and has three children, Elizabeth, Grace and Arthur. The Harveys have a very pleasant home and have ever taken their part in the general upbuilding of the community in which they live. Mr. Harvey is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs, though not included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in the affairs of that organization takes a warm interest.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917