Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. - page 38-39

REV. WILLIAM HARVEY (deceased) was a merchant during the major portion of his active career, and for some years lived retired, in the enjoyment of a competence which bespoke character, intelligence, industry and integrity to a very high degree.

Mr. HARVEY was born in Cornwall, England, in April, 1818, son of Christopher and Jane HARVEY, both English born and bred. They died in the old country, leaving a large family, and five of their sons, John, William, James, Richard and Joseph, came to the United States, where they led honest and industrious lives.

William HARVEY received his education in England, and coming to this country in 1848 located at Hazel Green, Wis., where he worked in the lead mines some two years. In 1850 he established himself as a general merchant at Council Hill, Ill., and followed mercantile business for more than forty years. In 1889 he sold out, and moved to Hazel Green, Grant county, where he lived retired until his death in February, 1897. Mr. HARVEY had a fine education, and had studied theology, with a view to entering the ministry, in his native land, but gave it up after coming to this country, with the exception of the work of a local minister of the Methodist Church, which he continued to do as long as his health and strength permitted preaching in the school houses and in the country churches of that denomination with fine effect. An eminently Christian man, he lived under an obligation of right and brotherly neighborliness, and his name is remembered as that of an honorable and God-fearing man.

In 1850 Mr. HARVEY married Miss Caroline NACOLLINS, daughter of John and Mary NACOLLINS, who were born in England. The father died in his native land, and the mother, with her six children, came to this country, settling at Council Hill, where all died with the exception of Caroline, who is now the widow of Mr. HARVEY. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. HARVEY: (1) Christopher, born in 1852, went to Colorado while still a young man, and there followed the occupation of a butcher; he was killed by a snowslide in 1885. He died unmarried. (2) Joseph, born in 1854, married Miss Laura THOMAS, daughter of Josiah THOMAS, of Hazel Green, and they now reside in Colorado. (3) James, born in 1856, married in Colorado a Miss MILLS, of Georgetown, of that State, and for a number of years has been keeping books for a large packing company in Colorado. He received a good education, and is a man of more than ordinary ability. Two children have been born to him and his wife. (4) William, born in 1863, married Miss Sarah REED, of Hazel Green, and is a leading business man of Colorado. They have two children, Clarence and Earl. (5) Mary J., (6) Elizabeth E. and (7) Jane, all died in infancy.

Mr. HARVEY was a Republican but his strong convictions and deep interest were in church and school. From time to time, however, he held local offices in his district in Jo Daviess county, Ill., and for years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. For over forty-eight years he exercised his gifts of heart and faith as a minister of the Gospel, and, as a man, a citizen and a Christian, his standing was beyond reproach.

Mrs. HARVEY was born in September, 1822, in Cornwall, England, where she was educated. While still a girl she learned the dress-making trade, in which she was engaged at the time of her marriage. A lady of many Christian virtues and high character, as a wife and a mother, as well as a kind neighbor, she is spoken of most highly.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck