- LOUIS POWELL HARVEY was born at East Haddam, Conn., July
22, 1820, and removed
- with his parents, in 1828, to Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co.,
Ohio. He entered Western Reserve College at Hudson, in 1837,
and pursued his studies two years, when he left on account of
ill-health. He then engaged at teaching, which he followed at
Nicholsonville, Ky., and subsequently was a tutor at Woodward
College, Cincinnati. After two years spent in the latter position,
he came on Kenosha (then Southport), in this State, and there
opened an academy in December, 1841. Two years after, he added
to the calling of a teacher that of editor of the Southport American.
During the administration of President TYLER, he held the office
of Postmaster of that place. In 1847, he married Miss Cordelia
PERRINE, and removed to Clinton, Rock County, where he purchased
the water-power, built a flouring-mill, and engaged in merchandise,
continuing there four years. He then removed to Shopiere, where
he made his residence during the remainder of his life, engaging
actively in mercantile and other pursuits.
- His first advent into public life was as a member of the
Constitutional Convention, which framed
- the State Constitution in 1847, and, although one of the
younger members, he took an active part in its deliberations,
and assumed a leading position. In the fall of 1853, he was elected
a State Senator of the Southern District of Rock County, the
Eighteenth District of the State at that date, and continued
in that position four years, having been re-elected in 1855,
and the last term of which he was President pro tem. In
1859, he was elected Secretary of State, which office he held
two years, and was a member of the Board of Regents of the State
University, from 1860 to 1862, and was ever found a true friend
to the cause of popular education. In 1861, he was elected Governor
of the State by a large majority, entering on the duties of his
position on the 6th day of January, 1862. On the receipt of the
news of the battle of Shiloh, Gov. HARVEY felt it to be his duty
to repair at once to the scene of action, and to do what was
in his power to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded Wisconsin
soldiers. His mission was eminently successful, and, after having
faithfully performed this duty, he repaired to a steamer in the
harbor of Savannah, April 19, 1862, to await the arrival of another
that was soon expected, and which was to convey him and his friends
to Cairo on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening,
and the night was dark and rainy. The boat soon arrived, and,
as she rounded to, the bow touching the one on which he stood,
he took a step, as it would seem to move out of danger, but,
by a misstep, or, perhaps, a stumble, he fell overboard between
the two boats into the Tennessee River, where the current was
strong and the water over thirty feet deep. Everything was done
to save his life, but to no purpose. His body was subsequently
found and brought to Madison for interment. His remains are deposited
in the Forest Hill Cemetery. Gov. HARVEY was in the forty-third
year of his age.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 426.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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