Biographical Sketches
JOHN TEVIS HARWOOD
The senior member of the firm of Harwood & Meredith, is one of the younger representatives of the bar of Kansas City. His youthfulness, however, seems to have been no detriment to him in reaching the prominent position that he now occupies - a position which has been won by superior merit, energy, and resolute purpose. He is widely recognized as one of the leading members of the legal fraternity of Kansas City, and his identification therewith has been most honorable.
Mr. Harwood is a native of Kentucky, born April 9, 1862, being a son of Charles and Lavina (Winchester) Harwood, and is related to many well-known families of that old commonwealth, such as the Hardins, McHenrys, Wickliffes, etc. His father was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and when a child removed with his parents to Kentucky, where he was reared to manhood, took up the study of law and became one of the most eminent members of the bar of that state. He was also a leader in political affairs, supported the democratic party, and on its ticket was elected to the state legislature, where he served with distinguished honor. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of 47 years, and the community lost one of its most prominent and valued citizens. He was married in 1859 to Lavina Winchester and they became parents of 8 children, 7 of whom are now living.
In this family John Tevis Harwood was the second born. His preliminary literary education was obtained in private and high schools, and at the age of 17 he matriculated in the University of Virginia, where he continued his studies for 3 years. The death of his father then compelled his return home, and for some time thereafter he was engaged in settling up the estate. In 1883 he once more entered the university, where he pursued a partial course in the law department, and successfully passed the B. L. examination. Immediately afterward he returned home and was admitted to the bar.
To decide which is cause and which is effect in many cases is as much a matter of serious difficulty as to discern the boundary between what is hereditary and what is suggested to us from circumstances of our early life. Many a man has no doubt taken up a course of life from mere outside suggestions received during the years of his youth, while others have naturally gravitated toward a certain course from the mere force of inherited tastes and mental tendencies. Sometimes, no doubt, these two combine to influence certain careers, and it would be difficult to decide whether to credit it to one or te other, or both. Such seems to have been the case in the life of the well-known member of the Kansas City bar whose name heads this article. He may have inherited from his father a love for his chosen calling, but his fitness for it has certainly been demonstrated in the excellent success which has crowed his efforts.
He began practice in his native state, and in 1885 came to Kansas City, where he soon entered into partnership with the late John S. Harbison, under the firm name of Harbison & Harwood; but after 2 months the connection was terminated by the death of the senior partner. Mr. Harwood was then alone in practice, and thus, without the aid of one already established in business or the assistance of influential friends, he entered upon his work. His strong mentality, his keen perceptive powers, his clear analysis of a case and his careful choice of those points which will bear most strongly on his case were soon manifest in the handling of the business which was placed in his charge, and brought to him an increased patronage. In 1888 he entered into partnership with John C. Meredith, and under the firm style of Harwood & Meredith these gentlemen have since conducted a large legal business, which ranks them among the foremost legal practitioners in the city. Their specialty is real estate law, which department occupies the greater part of their time, and they are now counsel for a number of loan companies and foreign investors in Kansas City and western securities. In connection with his other interests Mr. Harwood is the vice president and treasurer of the South Joplin Lead & Zinc Mining Company.
On the 21st of November, 1888, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Harwood and Miss Charlotte, daughter of William B. Grimes, first president of the Kansas City Board of Trade. They have one child, Bradford, who is now 5 years of age.
The political support of our subject is given the democracy, but the pressing cares of his extensive legal business leave no time for political work, even though he cared to engage in such. Socially he is connected with the Kansas City club and the Missouri chapter, Sons of the Revolution. In social and legal circles he is very popular, his magnetic nature and his many excellent characteristics winning him a host of warm personal friends.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.