My Genealogy Hound

William Harvey, of Edina, Mo., was born in South Berwick, York Co., Me., August 2, 1837, and is a son of Stephen and Mary (Andrews) Harvey, both natives of Maine, where they lived and died. Our subject was reared to manhood in that State, secured a good English education, and, being a natural mechanic, learned and followed the carpenter’s trade in connection with farming. He spent four years of his early life in Massachusetts, part of the time being passed in Boston. In 1858 he came west to Missouri, and settled in old Paultown, near Brashear, in Adair County, where he worked at his trade until 1861. Upon the outbreak of the late war he became a member of the Home Guards, and when the militia was called out in 1862 he joined the Fiftieth Regiment, East Missouri Militia, Capt. Pogne’s company. In 1863 he enlisted in Capt. Parson’s company, Second Provisional Regiment, serving as private and non-commissioned officer until the regiment disbanded. In the meantime, in the year 1862, he had started his present furniture and undertaking business upon a small scale in Edina, and after the war gave his entire attention to his business, which he has increased from time to time, until, at the close of a quarter of a century, by hard application, honesty and economy, he has succeeded in gaining an enviable position among the leading merchants of Knox County. In 1876 he built his present three-story fire-proof brick block on the south west corner of the public square, the second and third floors of which are occupied by his furniture and undertaking business, the largest and best establishment of this character in the town or in the county. He also does a leading undertaking business in Edina. February 8, 1865, he married Elizabeth Ijams, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and daughter of the late John Ijams, for some years a citizen of Knox County. Four children born to this union are living: Carrie I., wife of William James, of Ozawkie, Kas.; Emma L., Fred W. and Lottie L. Mr. Harvey was a Democrat by education, but when Sumter was fired upon he became a Republican, and affiliated with that party until 1880, when he became a warm advocate for Gen. Weaver, a candidate on the Greenback ticket, and is still in sympathy with that party. Mr. Harvey is recognized as one of the prominent and successful business men of this county.