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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 168 |
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JOHN HARVEY
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The farming interests of Wexford county find a worthy representative in John Harvey, who is living on section 14, Antioch township. He is one of the valued citizens of Michigan that England has furnished to the state, his birth having occurred in Warwickshire on the "merrie isle," on the 20th of March, 184.8. His father also bore the name of John Harvey and the mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Faulkner. They spent their entire lives in England, Mr. Harvey passing away between the age of sixty and seventy years, while his wife departed this life at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this review is the seventh in order of birth. In his native country John Harvey was reared and at the usual age he entered the public schools. He remained in England until twenty-two years of age and in his early life he was employed as a groom and also worked as a farm hand for about a year prior to his emigration to America. Hearing favorable reports of the opportunities afforded in the new world, he determined to seek his fortune here and in the spring of 1870 he bade adieu to his friends and native land and sailed for the United States. Landing at New York he came then to Kent county, Michigan, where he located for about three years, during which time he lived upon a farm. In May, 1873, he arrived in Wexford county and here he acquired and cleared a tract of land. Later he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Antioch township and since the spring of 1873 he has made his home in this township. During the winter months he worked in the lumber woods and in the summer seasons devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. The result of his labors is seen in the fine farm which he now owns. He has one hundred and eighty acres on section 14, Antioch township, and of this about one hundred and forty acres is under cultivation. He has erected good buildings upon his farm and has a very fine orchard of apple and peach trees, comprising ten acres. Michigan is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of this land for the high grade of peaches which it produces and there are no better specimens of this fine fruit to be found anywhere than is shipped from the farm of Mr. Harvey. On the 5th of April, 1884, in Colfax 28 township, Wexford county, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Pettit, who was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, on the 13th of July, 1858, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Martin) Pettit, who were early settlers of Colfax township, taking up their abode there in 1871. They continued their residence in that locality until called to the home beyond, the father passing away when about seventy-two years of age, while the mother's death occurred when she was seventy-eight years of age. In their family were nine children, of whom Mrs. Harvey was the eighth in order of birth. The home of the subject and his wife has been blessed with but one child, Anna E. Mrs. Harvey is an estimable lady, possessed of many excellent traits of character of heart and mind and these have endeared her to a large circle of friends. She presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home and her genial, cordial manners have made her popular with all with whom she has come in contact. Mr. Harvey has held some of the minor offices of Antioch township, but has never been an active politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has labored untiringly. His excellent property is indicative of his life of industry and usefulness, and, moreover, his business methods have been honorable and in all things he is straightforward, living a life that is as an open book which all may read. |