In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1893) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn counties, Missouri (1893), The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information (1882)
HON. ELIJAH D. HARVEY, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is the son of John and Elizabeth (nee Walker) Harvey, and was born in Howard county, Missouri, August 22, 1827. There he passed his time till manhood, receiving an ordinary but substantial education at the county subscription schools. In 184T he came to Linn county, Missouri, and engaged in teaching, having taught the first school in Parsons Creek township. In 1849 Mr. Harvey purchased the farm where he now resides, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1859 he taught the first school in the town of Meadville. In 1850 he waselected justice of the peace and has held that office up to the present writing, 1882, with the exception of only six months. During all those thirty-two years as justice of the peace, he has had but two decisions reversed by a higher court, and has acted as administrator on numerous states. In 1852 Mr. Harvey was a candidate for sheriff on the Whig ticket and wTasdefeated by only forty-nine votes, the county having over 100 Democratic majority. In 1864 he was a candidate for judge of the County Court, and in 1870 was elected public administrator, on the People’s ticket by over. 1,000 majority, his competitor being Judge C. Boardman, himself a very popular man. In 1880 Mr. Harvey was elected to represent his county in the legislature, and is its present representative. At the last regular session lie served on the committees on education, internal improvements, judicial and congressional districts, and fees and salaries. He has represented his county ably and with honor to himself and his constituents. Mr. Harvey has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and filled various offices in his lodge. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., and when a boy joined the old Washington Temperance Society, and organized the first Good Templars’ lodge in Meadville. He and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for over thirty years. During the late war Mr. Harvey acted as a peacemaker between his neighbors and succeeded in accomplishing much good in that capacity, being an honest citizen, a true Christian, and a zealous Mason. He has always been a most trustworthy,, yet aggressive politician, and a warm advocate of the cause of education. Mr. Harvey was married April 22, 1849, to Miss Elvira Thompson, daughter of George and Elvira (nee Smith) Thompson, a native of Howard county, Missouri. By this union there were five children, four of whom are living: Grace L., Florence B., John W., and Eustatia. Mr. Harvey owns a fine farm of 680 acres, adjoining the town of Meadville. There, surrounded by a happy family and all the comforts of life, he lives a highly esteemed citizen.
As printed in The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ELIJAH D. HARVEY, who was a RepllTji resentative of Linn County in the State / Legislature in 1880, and who for over forty () years has been Justice of the Peace, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Linn County, his residence being at Meadville. He is numbered among the honored early settlers, living made his home in this locality since 1847. The father of our subject, John Harvey, was born in Madison County, Ky., September 1, 1794. He was a son of AVilliam, a native of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky at an early day, and there participated in the Indian Wars. He was a prominent man, a progressive farmer and a leading member of the Baptist Church. The family is descended from Sir John Harvey, the first Governor of Virginia. The mother of our subject, before her marriage, was Elizabeth Walkup, who was born in Kentucky in the year 1800. Her father John Walkup, was of Irish descent, his ancestors having settled in North Carolina.
After his marriage John Harvey went from his native State to Missouri, and arrived in what is now Howard County in 1817. Tiiis was in the
Territorial days, when Indians and wild animals were abundant in that region. The farm upon which he settled was a wilderness, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted many j'ears. He w.as a prominent citizen of that county, and held many positions of responsibility and honor, having been a Representative in the Legislature in 1833, a Justice of the Peace for many years. Collector of Howard County, and a leading politician of that district. He was a newspaper correspondent for a number of 3"ears and during the Civil War was a supporter of the Union cause. Politically he was an old line-Whig.
By his union with the mother of our subject John Harvey became the father of twelve children, of whom four only are now living: James E., who is engaged in farming in Howard County; Dr. William C, a practicing physician in Roanoke, Mo.; our subject; and Benjamin F., who is a farmer and one of the Directors of the bank at Moberly, Mo. Two sons were in the Civil War, one in the Federal service and one in the Confederate army. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in 1843. Some years later, Mr. Harvey again married, and of that union were born four children, who are all now living. His death occurred in
Our subject was born August 22, 1827. in Howard County, Mo., and was reared on his father's farm. He received a district-school education, and on reaching the age of twenty 3' ears started forth to make his own way in the world. In 1847 he landed in Linn County, and commenced teaching school in the house of Judge Botts. This was a subscription school, the first in the locality. He continued teaching until 18(!3, and has the honor of having taught the first school in Meadville, in the building of which he assisted and which he later donated to the district. In 1849, Mr. Harvey settled on a farm adjoining the village, and has brought it under good cultivation. From the year 18(>3 he was exclusively a farmer until 1887, when he retired, tiiough lie still owns his original farm.
In 1849 Mr. Harvey returned on a visit to Howard County, where his marriage with Miss Elvira Thomson was celebrated. She was born May 16,
POETRAIT AND BIOGEAPfflCAL RECORD.
1828, and was the daughter of George Q. Thomas, a native of Kentucky, and one of the early settlers and farmers in Howard County, where he died. To them were born five children, the following of whom are living: Grace L., widow of.James Casper, who has one child, Florence B; and Eustatia U., wife of J. F. McArthur, who has two children. Mrs. Harvey was called to the better land May- 7,
Mr. Harvey is the owner of four hundred and forty acres of farm land, all of which is improved. In addition to general farming, he was for many years engaged in business as a stock-raiser. He has idways been.active in political circles, having been a member of the Democracy since 1860, when he cast his ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. In 1880 he was elected Representative of Linn County to the Stale Legislature. In 1850 he was elected.Justice of the Peace, which ottice he held until 1891. While in the House of Representatives, he was on the Committees of Internal Improvements, Education and.Tudicial Districts. He has been twice elected Public Administrator, which position he still occupies. He has been a member of the City Council, and President of the Township Board for many years, resigning the latter office two years ako. In 1890 he was City Attorney of Meadville. and has acted as Counselor for the peojjle for the past forty years, during which time lie has had very few decisions reversed by the Circuit Court.
.Tune 12, 1889, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Garrett, nee Dinwiddie. Her parents were Samuel and Patty (McBride) Dinwiddie, both natives of Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather, William Dinwiddie, was a native of Viro-inia, and a descendant of the famous general.and frovernor of that name. Mrs. Harvey's parents removed to Missouri in 1840 and made a settlement in Boone County, where tiiey resided until their death. The father died in 1866, and the mother in 1874. The former, who was born in 1798, was in sympathy with the Secessionists during the Civil War. Of his family of nine children, but three now survive. Mrs. Harvey was born August 4, 1837, in Lincoln County, Kj where she received a good education. Her first marriage was with W. H. Garrett.
In company with two friends, Mr. Harvey built the first church in Meadville. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he has served as an Elder. He was the first Chief Templar in the village, and is now Chaplain, his wife having also held oJHces in the lodge Jlr. Harvey is a charter member of Dockery Lodge No. 325, A. F. & A. M, in which he has been M.after, and is now Treasurer. He is a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, having held the position of Past Master and now being a Guide. He represented his lodge in 1877 and in 1878 in the Grand Lodge, and altogether has been much interested in civic societies.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn counties, Missouri (1893). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1893. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.