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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES H. HARVEY, of the mercantile firm of Harvey & Johnson, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, near Bucyrus, on the 10th of January, 1840. His father, James Harvey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and went to Ohio in 1836. Farming was his life occupation. The grandfather was of Irish birth, and on emigrating to this country made his home in Pennsylvania. He became a well-to-do agriculturist. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Agnes Dunn, was also born in the Keystone State, and was of Scotch descent. After the death of her first husband she married Mr. Wagoner and came to Illinois. Her death occurred in Du Quoin, in September, 1875. The sister of our subject, Sarah, became the wife of J. M. Johnson, a large lumber dealer of Carbondale, Ill., who served throughout the late war in the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry.

James Harvey was only three years of age at the time of his father’s death. The mother was left with no means save the little farm which was not yet paid for, but she managed to save her home and provide for her children. As soon as old enough, Harvey gave her his assistance. In 1856 they removed to Marion County, Ind., settling seven miles north of Indianapolis, where he acquired his education. In 1859 he came to Du Quoin and engaged in farming, but in 1861 returned to Ohio, and on the 9th of August, 1862, entered the army as a member of Company E, One Hundred and First Ohio Infantry. He was first sent to the front at Covington, Ky., thence to Louisville, and participated in the battle of Perryville. He then went through Cumberland Gap and to Bowling Green, took part in the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded, and in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. He served throughout the Atlanta campaign, taking part in the battles of Buzzard’s Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Franklin. The winter of 1864-65 was spent in Nashville, and in June of the latter year he received his discharge, being mustered out as Sergeant. He was always found at his post of duty, faithful to the trust reposed in him and to the Stars and Stripes.

Soon after the close of the war, Mr. Harvey returned to Illinois and embarked in the manufacture of lumber in connection with his brother-in-law in Carbondale, where he continued business until 1866, when he again went to his farm, two and a-half miles south of Du Quoin. There he continued agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1893, when he embarked in merchandising in Du Quoin in connection with W. S. Johnson.

In 1869 Mr. Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Charity Johnson, a native of Will County, Ill., and a daughter of Miles M. Johnson, who was born in Ohio, and became one of the pioneers of Will County. He was a prominent merchant, and died in Franklin County, Ill., in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have three children: William, a young man of twenty-two, who is engaged in business in this place: Edward, who is in his father’s store; and Delia. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Harvey is a leading member of the Grand Army post, and is a stalwart Republican.

W. S. Johnson, the junior member of the firm of Harvey & Johnson, has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He was born July 14, 1851, in Will County, where his parents had settled in an early day. Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. His father was for a longtime a prominent merchant of this state. His death occurred in 1881. The mother, who was in her maidenhood Hannah Bennett, is now living with her son in Du Quoin.

On the 24th of January, 1870, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Belle Phillips, and two children grace their union: Lillia, aged eight years, and Earle, two years of age. In his political views Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life he has been connected with mercantile pursuits, and is recognized as a wide-awake and enterprising business man. The firm will undoubtedly meet with success in their new undertaking.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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