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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  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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HON. EDWARD HARVEY, of Allentown, a prominent member of the Lehigh County Bar, and formerly President Judge of the Thirty-first Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., January 17, 1844. His father, Dr. George T. Harvey, who was a prominent physician of that place, belonged to one of the oldest families of Bucks County, as did his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Kinsey LaRue.

During his boyhood days our subject attended the public schools of his native town. He was introduced to the academic branches of study under the tutelage of Rev. S. A. Andrews, D. D., who had a select school in Doylestown, and when properly qualified he entered the high school of Lawrenceville, N. J., where he was prepared for college. In 1860, when in his seventeenth year, he entered Princeton College, and pursued the regular course until during the Junior year, when he left school to take up the study of law under Hon. George Lear, of Doylestown, an old friend of his father, who at that time was the leading member of the Bucks County Bar, and subsequently was Attorney-General of Pennsylvania under Governor Hartranft. While reading law, Mr. Harvey gave some attention to public speaking, availing himself of such opportunities for practice as occasion threw in his way. Although young in years, he was an ardent Democrat, and having closely studied the great political questions of the day was more than ordinarily qualified to voice his opinions from the rostrum. In 1864, before he had come to man’s estate, he made a public speech at Allentown. His reception by the people was so cordial, and his impressions of the place so favorable, that he determined it should be his future home.

Mr. Harvey was admitted to the Bar in Bucks County in 1865, and at the November term, on motion of Hon. S. A. Bridges, was admitted to practice in the courts of Lehigh County. He came to Allentown January 1, 1866, and at once began practice. Applying himself with diligence to the hard and often uncongenial work which generally falls to the lot of a young lawyer, he soon found that his services were in demand in the higher walks of the profession. Here his excellent fundamental education proved of great value, and, combined with natural qualities of a brilliant order, close habits of study and a fluent delivery, made his progress rapid and conspicuous. In a comparatively brief period he attained to the leading position at the Lehigh County Bar, and has since easily held that place. He has been retained in nearly all of the principal cases tried in the local courts, and has frequently been called to try cases in the neighboring counties, and also in the federal courts in Philadelphia. Probably no member of the Lehigh County Bar has achieved greater success as a lawyer or enjoys a larger or more remunerative practice. Mr. Harvey has never been an office-seeker. On the contrary he has repeatedly declined the most flattering appointments and nominations, preferring the steady practice of law. Although frequently urged by his party friends to accept nomination for office, he has never been a candidate in an aggressive sense. He was chosen to represent the counties of Lehigh and Carbon in the State Constitutional Convention in 1873, and was a member of the Committee on Corporations.

In March, 1878, when the First National Bank was compelled to suspend through the unexpected failure of William H. Blumer & Co., bankers, Mr. Harvey was chosen its President. His duties were responsible and delicate, as the bank was in liquidation, and its assets needed careful handling to insure payment of the debts. The discharge of these duties called for masterly legal ability and financial skill, which were found in Mr. Harvey. In his successful and satisfactory conduct of the bank’s affairs he may be said to have scored one of the notable triumphs of his professional life.

On the 14th of January, 1878, Mr. Harvey was appointed President Judge of the Thirty-first Judicial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Longaker. This appointment, made by Governor Hartranft, a Republican executive, was certainly a great compliment, and one of the highest evidences possible of the confidence and esteem in which Mr. Harvey is universally held. In the large number of cases which he tried while on the bench, he proved himself the possessor of talents of a high order and a master of the intricacies of law. He earned the respect of both the Bar and the public, and retired from office with an enhanced reputation for probity and learning. Only six of his cases were appealed to the Supreme Court for revision, and there all of his decisions were sustained. In 1878 Judge Harvey was urged to accept an independent nomination for County Judge, but declined. In the following year he was urged by members of the Bar of Berks County to become candidate for Judge in that locality, but refused. In 1882, he was asked by a committee of the Judicial Conferees of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties to be a candidate for Judge of that district, but declined. In 1886, upon the resignation of Hon. George A. Jenks as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, he was summoned to Washington and tendered the position. After careful consideration he declined, on account of his large business interests in Lehigh; on that occasion, as in the previous instances, gracefully expressing his sincere appreciation of the high compliment conferred upon him.

Judge Harvey was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1884, and voted for the nomination of Mr. Cleveland, whom he supported in the campaign with conspicuous zeal. Without wishing for official reward, he has done loyal service for his party, advocating its principles and sustaining its candidates. In local and state party councils his views are sought, and carry with them great weight. Although not a church member, Judge Harvey is an Episcopalian in belief, and carries out in his sympathies and charities the convictions of the Christian faith. He possesses all the agreeable characteristics which make the scholarly and courteous gentleman. Professionally and officially his life has been most successful, and his talents and capacity are admitted and respected by men whose opinions are beyond question. Socially his relations with the community in which he has so long resided are of the most charming nature. All the surroundings of his home denote culture, good taste and comfort, without any attempt at ostentation. One of his most valued treasures is his law library, which contains about three thousand six hundred standard and rare volumes, and is regarded as the largest and most important in eastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

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