White County INGenWeb

COUNTIES OF WHITE AND PULASKI, INDIANA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, Published by F.A. Battey & Co, Chicago, 1883, pg 223

R. L. HARVEY, County Recorder, is a native of Orange County, Vt., and was born December 14, 1824. His father, whom he was named after, was also a native of Vermont, and was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Mrs. Sarah (Firr) Corlis, a widow with one child, and to his marriage were born ten children, of whom four are yet living. In 1847, the family removed to Logan County, Ohio, and thence to Warren County, in about IS 8, where the mother died in 1849. Several years later the father married Mrs. Chloe Thompson, who is still living. Mr. Harvey died in Preble County, Ohio, in January, 1876. R. L. Harvey, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native State, secured a fair education at the common schools, and when about fourteen years of age shipped before the mast, on the Atlantic Ocean, remaining about eight months. He afterward entered the United States Navy, but, being young, was discharged on application of his father. In 1815, he followed his parents to Whitelkall, N. Y., and in 1846, preceded them to Ohio, and in the winter of that year taught his first school in Clark County. He was principally engaged in teaching until 1860, when he came to this county. July 17, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the company, he was chosen Sergeant and was immediately sent to the front. He took part in a number of skirmishes and engagements,. including the seven days' fight in front of Richmond. His health failing he was discharged December 5, 1862, but, recovering somewhat, he again enlisted, April 13, 1863, and was enrolled as a private in Company G, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was on detached duty one year in the, Provost Marshal's office at Indianapolis, and in the spring of 1864, while on his way to rejoin his regiment at Ball's Gap, Tenn., was seized with typhoid pneumonia. He was a week with his regiment, when he was transferred to the hospital at Knoxville, where, after his recovery, he served on detached duty until his final discharge, May 15, 1865. On his return home in June, 1865, he entered the office of the County Clerk, with whom he remained four years. In 1869, he passed nine months it Iowa. For five years succeeding the spring of 1870, he was employed as Deputy County Auditor; he was elected by the Republicans, in 1874, t( the office of County Recorder, entered upon his duties in July, 18T,5. and after serving four years was re-elected and is yet filling the office. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Harriet E. Jackson, and to this union have been born four children-Melvina J. (deceased), William R., Victoria C., and Theodore H. (deceased). Mr. Harvey is a member of the 1. 0. 0. F., the 0. F. Encampment, the K. of P. and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican and a temperance man, and has assisted in the interests of the lost-named cause in organizing in Monticello the body known as the " Sovereigns, of the Red Star.

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