Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Herbert A. Harvey, who is the architect of his own fortunes, is now cashier in the Bank of Newell, and occupies an enviable position in business circles by reason of his ability and enterprise. He was born in Excelsior, Richland County, Wisconsin, Dec. 8, 1868, and is a son of Dr. Leonard J. and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Harvey, who were natives of Ohio and Canada, respectively. His paternal grandfather, Hiram Harvey, was also born in Canada and followed he occupation of farming as a life-work. He died in Newell, Iowa in 1897, at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. Four of their children died in infancy and four sons and a daughter reached maturity, namely: Eldah, the wife of William Carruthers; Edgar; Leonard J. Thurber; and Gary.

Dr. Leonard J. Harvey is now following his profession at Alta, Iowa. On coming to this state in December, 1870, he settled at Storm Lake and the following July was joined by his family. He there continued to practice for many years but eventually moved to Alta, where he now makes his home. At the time of the Civil War he espoused the Union cause and joined Company H, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Having been discharged on account of disability, he later enlisted in Company C., Twenty -third Wisconsin Regiment, and was on active duty in the hospital service. He is now a member of the Grand Army post at Alta, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. The mother of our subject holds membership in the Methodist church. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Egglefield) Hawkins. Her father passed away in Wisconsin in 1863, at the age of forty-seven years, and her mother died in 1893, at the age of eighty-five. In their family were the following children: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Maria, Eleanor, Belle, James, Thomas and Albert.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Minnie, the wife of J. O. Peterson, of Alta, Iowa; Charles L., a resident of Wellington. Colorado; Herbert A., of this review; Ella B., the deceased wife of J. W. Barber; Cora M., the wife of O. O. Harlan, of Marionville, Missouri; Ray W., who died at the age of two years; and Henry C., a resident of Carthage, South Dakota.

Herbert A. Harvey was reared in Storm Lake from the age of two years and was a student in the public schools until he completed the high-school course by graduation in the class of 1885. He was engaged in clerking in Brown Brothers store in Storm Lake for six years, after which he and his brother Charles L. came to Newell and purchased a clothing store, conducting business for two years. On the expiration of that period Herbert A. Harvey sold his interests to his brother-in-law, J. W. Barber, after which he spent a few months in Wakonda, South Dakota, and later engaged in clerking for two years. For the past nine years, however, he has been connected with the Bank of Newell and has been its cashier since 1900. During this period he has thoroughly mastered the banking business and the success of the institution is attributable in no small measure to his efforts.