Harveysburg on Caesar's Creek

2007-01-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

Warner W. Curtis

1869 ~ 1969

Warner W. Curtis was one of the children of James and Lucy Pinn Curtis. His father, James Curtis had 29 children all together. He was born on his father's farm on the site of the Battle of Bull Run in Virginia.

Warner Curtis entered Wayland Seminary in Washington D. C. when he was 22 years old. Without funds and having to work, Warner studied hard he graduated. Following his graduation he married Miss Georgiana Randolph (went by both "Dolly" and "Anna"), became a farmer, a school teacher, NAACP branch president and YMCA night secretary.

A short time before 1910 they purchased a 58 acre farm in Harveysburg, Ohio and raised a variety of crops. He also taught school in the Black School in Harveysburg. By 1920 they had moved to Chillicothe, Ohio where he was an orderly in a hospital operating room and served as president of the NAACP branch.

In 1926, Warner and Anna moved to Cleveland, Ohio. There he worked in the Cedar YMCA. In 1941 he became the elevator operator at Fenn College and served seven years until he became ill. In his old age he became a noted "do-gooder" in his neighborhood, along E. 93rd Street in Cleveland. Neighbors would wake up and find their lawns mowed or their sidewalks cleaned. Sadly, his beloved wife of over fifty years died 1946.

Warner was voted Man of the Year in 1965 by the Karamu Golden Age Club. A religious man, he never smoked and had only one drink in his long lifetime. He was active in Mt. Zion Congregational Church on Magnolia Drive and E. 108th St. He often walked the 2 and a half miles to the church.

In his 79th year he was described as a "handsome gray haired man, who wears glasses, a moustache, and a goatee somewhat similar to that of Dr. W. E. B. DuBois" ("79 Year Old Warner W. Curtis Is Gentle Aristocrat of E. 93rd Street" by Simeon Booker, Jr., Cleveland Call & Post, May 7, 1949).

2007-01-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

James Howison & Letitia Sellers Curtis
"Simms" & "Tish"
Married September 29, 1884 in Warren County, Ohio
(Collection of Elizabeth Curtis Robinson)

James H. Curtis (above) was one of the fifteen children of James Curtis and his third wife Lucy Pinn Curtis. James Curtis was born in Prince William County, Virginia, near Sudley Springs, about 35 miles west from Washington D. C. Five of the children of James and Lucy Pinn Curtis would settle in southwest Ohio:

Josephine Curtis Taylor of Dayton, Ohio
Charles Curtis of Wilmington, Ohio m. Eunice Sellers, daughter of Jacob and Laura Williams Sellers.
James H. Curtis of Waynesville, Ohio (Crosswick ~ a small town one mile north of Waynesville) m. Letitia Sellers, daughter of Jacob and Laura Williams Sellers.
Hampton Curtis of Xenia, Ohio
Warner Curtis of Harveysburg, Ohio

The Curtis Boys:
Back Row from Left to Right: Charles (Wilmington, Ohio) and John (Washington D. C.)
Front Row from Left to Right: James II (Waynesville, Ohio), Hampton (Xenia, Ohio), and Warner (Harveysburg, Ohio)

Other daughters of James and Lucy Pinn Curtis were:

Martha Curtis Jackson (Syracuse, New York)
Fannie Curtis Beckwith (Clifton Station, Virginia)
Rosa Curtis Harris (Bull run, Virginia)
Edmonia Curtis Harris (Herdon, Virginia)

The father of these children listed above, James Curtis, was one of the mulatto children of a slave owner named Charles Curtis. He and his brothers and sisters were manumitted by their father on October 6, 1828. These manumitted children then were forced by Virginia law to leave Virginia a one year and a day. Some moved away permanently, while some returned to Virginia to live. One of these was James Curtis.

James Curtis' first wife was a slave named Nancy. They had several children but the mother and children were sold south to Mississippi.

James Curtis' second wife was another slave named Margaret. She and her children were also sold south.

James Curtis' third wife was Lucy Pinn, a free woman. They married in 1853. Lucy died in 1879.

James Curtis' fourth wife was Martha Parker of Clifton Station, Virginia. She died in 1901.

When the Civil War broke out James Curtis was living on the road from Manassas, leading to the Bull Run battlefield. This experience was mentioned in his obituary printed in a local newspaper, probably the Miami Gazette of Waynesville, Ohio:

"DEATHS ~ J. H. Curtis (James H. Curtis), of Route 1, received the sad news of the death of his aged father James Curtis, who was born at Bull Run, Va., in the year of 1820. He witnessed the great battle of Bull Run. He was living on the road leading from Manassas to the historic Bull Run Battlefield, when the Civil War broke out. He was sitting at the breakfast table when the first shot was fired. He with others went out upon Mount Pone Hill, and throughout the day they watched that bloody conflict where the best blood of a divided Union rushed into battle. He said the conflict was a hard and bloody one. For a while in the afternoon victory seemed on the side of the Union forces, but at the critical moment they looked westward and saw a great army rushing to the field. Then the Union became panic stricken and broke from the field. The next day he looked over the field which was a ghastly sight yet, strewn with the dead and dying. The Second Battle of Bull Run found him at the same place, watching almost a similar disaster. He lived on this farm for 34 consecutive years and in his later years he went to live with his daughter Rosa Harris of Bull Run, Va. where he departed this life, January 5, 1914, at the age of 94 years."

Both James and Lucy Pinn Curtis are buried in the Pinn Family Cemetery in Manassas, Virginia.

The children of James Howison & Letitia Sellers Curtis, "Sim" & "Tish", pictured above were:

Hampton W. Curtis, November 1885 - January 7, 1887
Martha Elizabeth Curtis, b. April 27, 1887. She graduated from Wilberforce College in 1809 or 1910.
James Otis Curtis, b. December 7, 1888
Nettie Leah Curtis, b. April 23, 1891
John Lemley Curtis, b. March 5, 1893
Martha Geneva Curtis, b. August 15, 1895
Lester Paul Curtis, b. February 12, 1900
Esther Pauline Curtis, b. November 23, 1904

James H. and Letitia Sellers Curtis are buried in the The Zion Baptist African-American Church cemetery in Harveysburg, Ohio. There little boy, Hampton W. Curtis is buried beside them.

2007-01-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

THE HARVEYSBURG ACADEMIES &
STRIFE OVER ABOLITION

The First Harveysburg Academy Founded by Orthodox Friend Dr. Jesse Harvey in 1837-38. Husband of Elizabeth Burgess Harvey Mendenhall, the founder of the Harveysburg Black School.

Dr. Jesse Harvey was born November 26th, 1801 in Orange County, North Carolina. He was six when his parents, Caleb and Sarah Towel Harvey settled near Todd's Fork in Clinton County, Ohio. Being naturally inquisitive and intelligent he decided to learn medicine but encounter some resistance since it was commonly believed at the time that higher education would lead one to be irreligious. However, at the age of 22 he became a student of Dr. Uriah Farquer of Wilmington, Ohio. He entered the Medical College of Ohio, 1826-7, attained his license to practice and settled in the newly platted village Harveysburg in 1830. He also erected a carding mill at Harveysburg. He was one of the founding members of the Lebanon Medical Society in 1837. He was an extremely well read man and was knowledgeable about Law and many scientific subjects. His interest in education lead him to establish the Harveysburg High School (Academy) and Boarding House in 1837-8. Dr. Harvey was also the first person in Warren County, Ohio to take up the mantle of abolition and promote it. His children claim that Jesse and Elizabeth Harvey were conductors on the Underground Railroad in Harveysburg.

"My father (Dr. Jesse Harvey) was the first abolitionist in Clinton and Warren Counties, Ohio, who publicly advocated the abolition of slavery, and became one of the most prominent agents on the URGG in these two counties . . .” (Letter from William Foster Harvey, M.D. of Brightwood, Ind., June 6, 1898 to W. H. Siebert concerning his father Jesse Harvey (Siebert MIC 192, Roll #9, Rox 54, Vol. #, Item 61).

“My father’s house (Dr. Jesse Harvey) in Ohio was a special Depot for all who came and hundreds passed through our town, Harveysburgh, on the route from Cincinnati from Levi Coffin, and others, to and by way of our place" (Letter from William Foster Harvey of Brightwood, Indiana, 3-24, 1898 (Siebert MIC 192, Roll #11, Box 59, Vol. #11, Item 26).

Dr. Jesse's two sons, Thomas B. Harvey and William Foster Harvey, continued in UGRR work after they and their families had moved to Indiana (Letter from William F. Harvey of Brightwood, Indiana, 3-24, 1898 (Siebert MIC 192, Roll #11, Box 59, Vol. #11, Item 26).

Dr. Jesse Harvey erected the first academy building at the east end of the village and went to considerable expense to furnish it with competent teachers and equipment from the east. He initially paid for the school, which lasted through harsh economic times for eighth or nine years. He taught classes twice a week on history, languages and the natural sciences. Another teacher associated with the first Harveysburg Academy was Dr. David Burson, a graduate of Haverford College. After the Harveys moved out west to work at the Quaker Shawnee Mission in July of 1847 , Wilson Hobbs, Israel Taylor, Oliver Nixon and William P. Nixon taught in the Academy which had been relocated into a new building. All the teachers were Orthodox Friends (Quakers).

Dr. Jesse Harvey's school in Harveysburg had been a success during most of its existence.

"However, aside from financial failure the school succeeded, and Dr. Harvey had his dream realized to a great extent. He found help in his studies, indulged his inclinations to help others, and many remain today to testify to the good done during the short time the school existed. In the neighborhoods from which came students, and scattered throughout the States, are good, substantial citizens who remember with pleasure and gratitude the lessons and associations of the school" (1882 History of Clinton County, Ohio [Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.], p. 660).

Because of his great interest in the natural sciences, Dr. Jesse Harvey also had a botanical garden, a good museum, and specimens of wild animals at his home. He had hoped to improve the mineral and medicinal springs located near Harveysburg, a recreational area known as the Fifty Springs. He was also a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. Jesse was interested in educating Native Americans as well as African Americans and often visited the Quaker Mission and School for the Shawnee Indians in Wapakoneta, Ohio. In 1847 Dr. Jesse was appointed superintendent of the Friends School and Farm for the Shawnee Indians in the Kansas Territory. The entire family moved to Kansas and were involved in this ministry. He died there on May 12, 1848 and was buried in the mission graveyard, see An Obituary of Dr. Jesse Harvey.

Dr. Jesse's efforts with the Academy had put him into considerable debt and so after a few years he established a company of 16 local citizens including himself, which was incorporated. The school had an excellent reputation drawing students from all over southwest Ohio, but continuing financial difficulties and strife and arguments over abolition would damage the Harveysburg Academy that Dr. Harvey founded.

The incorporation of the Academy, which initially saved it financially, also, unfortunately, opened up a hornet's nest of conflicting feeling over the integration of the Academy. Wanting to accept African-American children, Dr. Jesse Harvey at his own expense had established a separate department for black students in the high school. A cadre of Harveysburgers severely criticized him for daring to allow African-Americans in the Academy whether segregated into a separate department or not. Later, a group of local radical abolitionists, many of whom were members of the Congregational/Progressive Friends, who had split from Indiana Orthodox Yearly Meeting (Hicksite), and were Underground Railroad conductors, criticized Dr. Harvey for segregating the black pupils from the white ones. Then when he united the blacks and the whites into classes together, many white folk took their children out of the school. The conflict was causing the enrollment in the school to go down drastically. Dr. Harvey decided to return to the previous policy of having a separate department for the African-American students. It was his compromise and concession to many of the local people who objected to the social mixing of the races. As we shall see, some of these people were Orthodox Quakers.

Radical Friends like Valentine Nicholson and other local abolitions whose anti-slavery ideals were Garrisonian in nature, severely criticized Dr. Harvey for his segregation ~ The Black School founded in 1831 was segregated and his policy of separating the blacks and whites in the Harveysburg Academy reinforced their negative opionion. Consequently, Dr. Harvey was being denouced by both the anti-abolition and/or anti-black people and the radical abolitions, many his co-UGRR conductors.

The conflict over African-American students in the Academy came to a head after the Harveys had left for Kansas and a much larger group of stockholders (fifty-six in all) built a new building for the Academy on the west end of Harveysburg. A highly controversial conflict centered upon the enrollment of an 18 year old girl by the name of Margaret Campbell during the principalship of Wilson Hobbs. This conflict was so severe that the enrollment of the school radically collapsed.

The black community that lived in and around Harveysburg were upset by the controversy. A black man, who once was a slave, wrote to the "Anti-Slavery Bugle" newspaper (February 25, 1848) the following comments on the situation:

"The abolitionist here, have often expressed strong desire to have the Black Laws of Ohio repealed. They have branded Dr. Harvey as anti-abolition, anti-Christian, etc. for putting us in a separate department of the school of which he was proprietor. I do not think they did Mr. Harvey injustice by such charge. Well, Harvey's school has come to naught! Another Seminary has been reared by those persons who spoke so hard against Mr. H. We thought when this building was being erected, an avenue was open through which we could ascend to the great field of intelligence. But, alas! What do we hear? No person that has one drop of African blood in him or her shall be permitted to enter this institution!

'Why not?' ~ was the question. 'If we admit the person that has one drop , we shall have to admit the one with two; if we admit the one with 2 drops, we shall have to admit the right down negro!' 'What does this prove?' It proves what Liberty Party and Whig abolition is!"

Wilson Hobbs, an Orthodox Quaker and new principal of the Harveysburg Academy refused to enroll a young woman, Margaret Campbell, into the school because it was suggested that she had some African-American blood.

"A young lady, Miss Margaret Campbell by name, the sister-in-law of W. L. Keyes resident in the town, of the most respectable character, made her appearance at the school and entered upon the regular discharge of her duties as a pupil. She is about 18 years of age, well education, of excellent abilities and of refined and tender sensibilities. By the laws of Ohio she is a free white person, and entitled to all the privileges of such, and there is not the slightest indication in her appearance to distinguish her from other young ladies of her age unless it be a fairer complexion" (Bugle, February 25, 1848).

The rumor was that several generations back in her genealogy that she was, on her maternal side, the daughter of a wealthy slaveowner and one of his slaves. The correspondent claims that Wilson Hobbs rather crassly through Margaret out of the school publicly.

Another letter in the Bugle dated March 4, 1848 defended Wilson Hobbs actions by explaining that he had not been so cruel and that Margaret had been privately told of the boards decision and why she could not enter. However, the offer of home tutoring, instruction, and accompanying books was given her. The correspondent says that fifty out of fifty-six stockholders objected to her entry due to the impurity of her blood. In a letter dated March 10, 1848 in the "Bugle", which had been written on February 15, 1848, it was stated that two members of the Methodist Church and one member of the United Brethren Church in Harveysburg were three of the stockholders who had protested. This reality illustrates that the abolition controversies criss-crossed through all churches and social groups. Consequently, it was not just the Quakers who were at odds with each other over how to respond to slavery and, specifically in this case, how to deal with education for blacks.

Valentine Nicholson, who was a local Harveysburger, an abolitionist and UGRR conductor, and member of the radical Congregational/Progressive Friends, wrote a very lengthy letter to the Bugle on June 2, 1848, explaining efforts made in support of Margaret Campbell:

"The principal teacher at the Waynesville Academy (a village four miles west of Harveysburg), who, by the way, is one of the first scholars our State affords (This was Dr. David Burson, who had moved to Waynesville to teach.), when he came to hear of the ridiculous and cruel treatment which this young lady had received at Harveysburg, expressed a desire to have her attend that institution, (and there being a Board of Trustees belonging to that school, a majority of them were spoken to and gave their full and free consent)."

Unfortunately, according to Nicholson, an Orthodox Friend, who lived just a few miles outside of Waynesville, came to the village and stirred up resistance to Margaret's enrollment in the Waynesville Academy. Valentine Nicholson then in his letter launches into a severe critique of Orthodox Quakerism and its hypocricy concerning abolition ~ a willingness to promote an anti-slavery agenda but their "faith" is not lived "by works". He points out that there are now only seven students starting the next term in the Academy due to the hypocricy and immoral behavior of the stockholders.

The Second Harveysburg Academy
Founded to be an Integrated Educational Institution

This horrible situation must have been extremely disappointing to Valentine Nicholson and another Friend Isaiah Fallis who were in the fore front of organizing and building the new Harveysburg Academy. They both intended this second Harveysburg Academy to be fully integrated. In one of his letters to the editors of the "Bugle", Nicholson admitted that he had misjudged Wilson Hobbs. Shortly before the controversy over Margaret Campbell began, the editors of the "Bugle" had gone on a tour of southwest Ohio and had visited Harveysburg and the school. One of the editors had told Nicholson that Wilson Hobbs would be a "fair weather friend to abolition" (Bugle, March 10, 1848).

According to Valentine Nicholson's obituary, this second Academy did for a short period of time fulfill its intended mission. However, the obituary does not give any details about the Margaret Campbell controversy:

"The need of a free town hall was at one time apparent to a few philanthropic people at Harveysburg, Ohio. The chief contributors to this movement were Isaiah Fallis and Valentine Nicholson. They built an academy, with a hall above, which they dedicated to free speech. In school and recitation rooms below there was to be no distinction of color. The tuition was to be the compensation for the teacher. Members of the Society of Friends were instructors. The late Dr. Wilson Hobbs was the first, then Dr. O. W. Nixon and his brother William Penn Nixon, also the late Israel Taylor of Indianapolis. The school was a success; the few colored pupils who availed themselves of its privileges became leading citizens in Oberlin and Washington" (Miami-Gazette newspaper of Waynesville, March 30th, 1904).

In April of 1849 a new incorporation was made for the Harveysburg School Company:

"MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HARVEYSBURG SCHOOL COMPANY: Pursuant to previous notice, the stockholders of the Harveysburg Seminary met at said building on the 14th day of April 1849 at 2 P.M. for the purpose of organizing and availing themselves to the advantages of a law passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio, March 10, 1845, authorizing Literary and other Societies to acquire corporate powers without applying to and obtaining letters of incorporation from the Legislature of the State. On motion Wm. Crow (a teacher from Illinois who was living directly east of Harveysburg) was called to the chair and John W. Scroggs (a physician in Harveysburg) appointed Clerk. The meeting then proceeded to and adopted a constitution and bylaws for the government of the company. On motion it was unanimously resolved that this society shall be called the Harveysburg School Company. The meeting then proceeded in conformity to the requisitions of the constitution to elect the permanent officers of the company which resulted in the election of R. B. Edwards for President (a judge), J. G. Stevenson (a coachmaker), Clerk, A. L. Antram (a merchant in Harveysburg), Hiram Yeo (a merchant in Harveysburg), and J. W. Scroggs, Trustees. On motion adjourned. J. W. Scroggs, Clerk" (This statement of incorporation can be found in the Archives of Probate Court at the Warren County, Ohio Courthouse in Lebanon, Ohio).

It appears that in the end the radical abolitions had won the struggle over the school. The above mentioned J. G. Stevenson also became the first president of the radical Anti-Slavery Society for Clinton and Warren Counties. By 1851, the second Harveysburg Academy building was being used freely by abolitionists. On December 19, 1851 it was reported in the Miami-Visitor newspaper of Waynesville that on November 30th a meeting was convened in the Academy in Harveysburg. The object was to organize an Anti-Slavery Society for Clinton and Warren Counties. J. G. Stevenson was the Chairman of this meeting and Valentine Nicholson was chosen secretary. They advocate the immediate and unconditional emancipation of slaves. The organization included both women and men and African-Americans and white people. The preamble of constitution was signed by: Dr. A. Brooke, Aaron Harvey, V. Nicholson, F. G. Birdsell, Abram Allen, Wm. F. Hilles, J. G. Stevenson, Asa Pratt (African-American), O. D. Wall (African-American), Wm. McCune, J. W. Scroggs, Sarah Allen, J. F. Crew, Lydia W. Vandeburg, Hannah Birdsell, Jane F. Nicholson, Deborah Lafettra, E. F. Varner, Mary B. Birdsell, Caroline Wall (African-American), Martha M. Dakin, Elijah Howe, W. H. Birdsell, A. Winslow (African-American), Sarah Wall (African-American), Jona. A. Ballard, T. D. Ryse, N. Doan, Jesse A. Ballard.

We know that Nathan Doan was the principal teacher at the new Harveysburg Academy from the fall of 1851 to March 1852. In the fall of 1852, Comly Jessop, became the teacher at the fading second Harveysburg Academy. (Comly went on to enter medical school and became a physician.)

The Miami-Visitor of Waynesville published advertisements for the second Harveysburg Academy: October 17, 1851, October 10th, 1851, September 12th, 1851, September 19th, 1851, April 9th, 1852, April 12th, 1852, March 5th, 1852 and September 29th 1852. After 1853, there are no more advertisements in the Miami-Visitor for the Harveysburg Academy. This is when, presumably, the private high school became a district school.

The first Harveysburg Academy was located on East Main Street in a lot in front of the Black School, which Dr. Jesse Harvey helped his wife, Elizabeth Burgess Harvey, to establish. Although the building was used as The Zion Baptist African-American Church for many decades, it is no longer extant.

The second Harveysburg Academy was located on West Main Street where the 1886 district school building now stands empty. The second Harveysburg Academy building itself is no longer extant.

Sources:

The History of Warren County, Ohio (Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1882), pp. 307, 653-660.
See, "Dr. Jesse Harvey", 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, Part IV Township Histories, Massie Township by Hon. Thomas M. Wales: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Beers/IV/mst/0654.htm

"Memories of Long Ago" by Jane F. (Wales) Nicholson (Originally published in the Western Star, Lebanon, Ohio in the December issues of 1885 and published again in the Miami Gazette, Waynesville, Ohio ca. 1905), p. 19.

History of Harveysburg and Massie Township by Lucy McCarren (Published by the Harveysburg Historical Society), pp. 3-9.

The Miami-Visitor, July 27th, 1859, "Fifty Springs Pic-Nic".

2006-12-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

AN OBITUARY OF
DR. JESSE HARVEY

FOUND IN THE WESTERN FRIEND
FIFTH-DAY, SIXTH MONTH 1, 1848

CINCINNATI, OHIO

(Quaker Newspaper Published by Orthodox Friend Achilles Pugh)

The following extract, from a letter from Richard Mendenhall, received after our last paper went to press, brings to a large circle of friends and relatives, the sorrowful news of the decease of JESSE HARVEY, superintendent of Friends' School, in the Shawnee nation of Indians.

"Friends' Shawnee School,
Indian Territory, 4th month 12th, 1848.

Dear Friend, ACHILLES PUGH,

I write to thee under a very afflicting dispensation. ~ Our friends and Superintendent, Jesse Harvey, departed this life this afternoon, at a quarter before two o'clock, having been confined almost entirely to his bed for three months lacking three days. His disease proved to be a dropsy, and latterly had been rapidly progressing, insomuch that his physicians urged that an attempt be made at an early period, to remove him to Ohio. This proposition meeting with his approbation, measures were being taken, for him and his family to set out on the proposed journey, sometime during next week; the two young women who came out with me, and myself having consented to remain in charge at this institution, until other friends could be sent on. But the present dispensation affords a striking instance of the uncertainty of human calculations. During the last three or four days, his strength rapidly failed, and continued to decline until he passed into eternity.

His family will await the advice of the Committee, whether they return home now, or remain here. If suitable friends can be conveniently found to fill all the places here, they will return home, otherwise they are willing to remain here."

Dr. Jesse Harvey died on May 12th, 1848. His wife Elizabeth Burgess Harvey and their children stayed on at the Quaker Shawnee Mission and continued to superintend with the assitance of Richard Mendenhall. There is a small graveyard on the site and there is a maker that simply says, "Jesse Harvey of Harveysburg." It is the Indian Cemetery at Nieman Road & 59th Terrace in Shawnee, Johnson County, Kansas. The Harvey family stayed the full term of two years at the Mission.

Dr. Jesse Harvey was one of, if not the first, abolitionist in Warren County, Ohio. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were abolitionists and conductors on the Under Ground Railroad when it was incredibly dangerous to be involved in such work during the early 1830s and on.

2006-12-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

John W. Stewart ~ African American
Mayor of Harveysburg, Ohio

The Only colored Man in the State Thus Honored ~
A Noted Educator Among the People of His Race

The Western Star of Lebanon, Ohio, July 25, 1907

Prof. J. W. Stewart is the son of Jackson Stewart who came to Ohio from Virginia. He was a farmer and a land owner in both Clinton and Warren Counties. He came to this state early in life and was married to Caroline Jackson who was also a Virginian and lived in Fayette County, Ohio. They lived for a long time near New Burlington, Ohio. To them eight children were born. Only two are now living. Charles who was a teacher for a number of years is now a measurer and lumber inspector in the McDougal cabinet factory in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The subject of this sketch, Prof. J. W. Stewart was born in Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio, July 18, 1843. He worked with his father on the farm until he was 22 years old. After accumulating quite a little fortune, he and his father engaged in the grocery business in Xenia, Ohio. On Arpil 18, 1866, he was married to Virginia Singleton of Harveysburg, the only daughter of Bushrod and Malvina Singleton ~~ Mr. Singleton is still living and although 85 years old is well land hearty.

In his manhood, Mr. Stewart's opportunity for an education was quite limited, but seeing the need of better schools among his race, he carried his books to the field and while his horses were resting, he began the preparation for the profession of teaching. His wife was an excellent scholar; she often said to him, notwithstanding the valuable assistance she gave him with his studies at night, "John, you will never be able to teach school."

He continued in his studies in this manner, and after he had pursued a short course of study at Wilberforce University, he was employed to teach the colored school at Harveysburg. This was the first colored school organized in the state of Ohio for colored children. He taught this school for ten consecutive years. It grew so rapidly in interest and numbers that after two years of labor the Board of Education employed an hesitantly to help him with the work. It was in this school that several of his pupils were prepared for teaching. Some of the brainiest men and women of the race received their elementary training in this school.

Early in the fall of 1885 he resigned this position and moved to Topeka, Kansas, with a view to farming, but later became a principal of one of the city schools. Not being very favorably impressed with farm life in Kansas, he returned to Ohio, and resumed teaching in Lebanon, Ohio. The school was soon mixed and the colored teachers were not retained. He was next found as principal of the school in Sabina, Ohio. After teaching in Sabina one year, he was tendered the principalship of the colored school in Wilmington, Ohio. He had charge of this school fourteen consecutive years. It was while principal of this school that he obtained great results from his labors. He raised the school to a high standard of efficiency and prepared a large number of boys and girls for high school, college , and the profession of teaching.

After teaching thirty consecutive years, he again went back to farming, but finding that the long career as a teacher had unfitted him for the work on the farm, he resumed teaching in Harveysburg ~ the very school he had taught almost a quarter of a century ago. He experience a very successful and profitable year's work, and no doubt the coming year will unfold to him results that will be gratifying to himself and the patrons.

Mr. Stewart is public spirited and an urgent worker in all things that tend to the betterment of the communities in which he has lived. In politics and on all public questions he has always been found on the right side. He has acted as judge and clerk of elections in both county and state. He is now the mayor of Harveysburg. Professor Stewart has a family of nine children, six of whom have been teachers. Two are now in the mail service.

2005-10-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Burgess Harvey Mendenhall when she lived in Indianapolis
Original photograph in the Quaker Archive ~
Earlham College
Richmond, Indiana

Elizabeth Burgess Harvey Mendenhall

September 22nd, 1801~May 1st, 1888

The founder of the first Black School in Ohio
Harveysburg, Ohio

This Friend, wife of the late Dr. (Jesse) Harvey and daughter of Bettie Hendricks and Thomas Burgess, is now living in this city (Indianapolis), in the 85th year of her age. The years of her early married life were devoted to teaching the neglected races, Indians as well as Negroes. She, with other Friends, did much to modify the felling of prejudice against the colored people in the village of Harveysburg. ~~ Jane F. (Wales) Nicholson

“Memories of Long Ago” by Jane F. (Wales) Nicholson (Originally published in the Western Star, Lebanon, Ohio in the December issues of 1885 and published again in the Miami~Gazette, Waynesville, Ohio ca. 1905), p. 20.

Also see,
THE BLACK SCHOOL IN HARVEYSBURG, OHIO, and,

THE HARVEYSBURG ACADEMIES

Thank you to Thomas Hamm of Earlham College for a copy of Elizabeth's photograph.

2005-09-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Harveysburg Histories:

Before & After the Lake

Caesar's Creek Valley before Caesar's Creek Lake

"Historic Harveysburg" by Miss Winona McDonald (Souvenir & Home-Coming Edition of The Miami Gazette, October 1906):
http://www.mlcook.lib.oh.us/1906%20Harveysburg%20History-Miami%20Gazette.htm

2005-08-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Harveysburg Lodge #312 F. & A. M.
met on the second floorof the above building.

The Masonic Lodge in
Harveysburg, Ohio

(The information below is taken from:
Harveysburg, The Village & Freemasonry
researched and compiled by Grover W. Brunton,
May 15, 2000)

Harveysburg Lodge #312 received its charter on October 20th, 1859 at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. The full history can be found at:

http://www.waynesvillemasonic.org/312/312-history.htm.

Harveysburg Lodge No. 312 F. & A.M.
Charter granted A.L. 5858 - A.D 1858
Affiliated with
Waynesville Lodge No. 163 F. & A.M.
1986

2005-08-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Dr. Mary L. Cook Day ~

October 1st, 2005
10:00 A. M. ~ 1: 00 P.M.

at
The Mary L. Cook Public Library
381 Old Stage Road
Waynesville, Ohio 45068
513-897-4826

Come to the library and celebrate Dr. Mary’s 136th birthday!

In 1917, Dr. Mary L. Cook along with other civic-minded persons decided to establish a library in Waynesville, Ohio. They had no building, no books and no money but they did have faith and a willingness to do all possible to make the vision a reality.

Come to The Mary L. Cook Public Library and learn:

What medicine was like in 1908 when Dr. Mary graduated from medical school.
Learn about the woman that inspired Mary L. Cook to become a doctor, Dr. Marie Romine of Harveysburg.
Presentation & Sharing: "Dr. Mary Leah Cook, M.D., Physician & Founder of The Wayne Township Library, Waynesville, Ohio". Dr. Mary’s family will be attending and will share stories.

There will be Refreshments and exhibits with activities for children & families ~~ prizes to win!! A Quilt will be raffled.

Also see:

The Mary L. Cook Public Library ~ 88 Years of Responsible Growth and Community Service

Dr. Mary Leah Cook

The Mary L. Cook Public Library

Dr. Mary L Cook’s generation of Cooks felt a close connection with Harveysburg. Dr. Mary was raised equal distance between Waynesville and Harveysburg. Her mother, Hannah Jane Redfern, was born in Harveysburg and the Cooks were close friends of Dr. Marie Romine who practiced in Harveysburg. Dr. Mary was one of the first class of four students to graduate from Harveysburg High School on May 20th, 1887 (photo left). she also worked for Dr. Romine in her office in Harveysburg. Mary was the oldest of the six children of Seth & Hannah Jane Redfern Cook.

Descendants of John Cook
1 John Cook
+Dinah Spray
........ 2 Samuel Cook 1808 -
............ +Hannah Compton 1814 - 1895
...................3 John Cook
...................3 Amos Cook
...................3 Seth Cook 1846 - 1933
....................... +Hannah Jane Redfern 1846 -
.............................4 Mary Leah Cook 1869 - 1964
.............................4 Lillia Cook 1879 - 1955
................................. +John Dyer
.............................4 Bess Cook 1880 - 1944
................................. +Horace White
........................................5 Geraldine White
.............................4 William Pedrick Cook 1881 - 1928
................................. +Edna Thompson
........................................5 Hannah Jane Cook
........................................5 Mildred Cook
.............................4 George Harold Cook 1887 - 1955
................................. +Edna Howgee
........................................5 Mary Cook
........................................5 Georgiana Cook
........................................5 Frances Cook
........................................5 Janet Cook
...................3 Jonathan Cook
...................3 (Boy who died) Cook

2005-08-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

Thomas Montgomery Wales

son of Isaac and Ruth Welch Wales

Isaac Wales (b. 9 mo 30th 1778 in Pennsylvania-d.9 mo. 29th 1824 in Warren Co., Ohio) and his wife, Ruth Welch Wales (b. 7 mo. 7th 1784-d. 4 mo 26th 1856) of Virginia, migrated to Ohio from North Carolina. They moved their membership from Deep Creek Monthly Meeting in North Carolina on 3 mo. 25th 1815 to Fairfield Monthly Meeting in Highland Co., Ohio. The following year on 3 mo. 27th 1816, they moved their membership from Fairfield Monthly Meeting to Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville, Warren Co, Ohio. They settled near Harveysburg. They would have attended at the Harveysburg Preparative Meeting (Hicksite) in Harveysburg once it was established in 1817. The Welch and Wales properties are now underwater after the flooding of Caesar’s Creek to create Caesar’s Creek Lake. Their land was at the foot of the famous “S” curve, which led up to Harveysburg from the valley. They had five children:

Mary Wales (b. 12 mo. 2nd 1803-d. 1 mo. 25th 1832)
Jane F. Wales (b. 2 mo. 1st 1806-d. 9 mo. 9th 1906) m. Valentine Nicholson
Nancy Wales (b. 11 mo. 20th 1809) m. Henry Thomas Butterworth
Thomas Montgomery Wales (b. 8 mo. 17th 1812-d. 9 mo. 15th 1888)
Caroline Wales (b. 12 mo. 1st 1818-d. 8 mo. 3rd 1844).

Thomas Montgomery Wales, known as T. M. Wales, was active politically in every enterprise of Harveysburg and was president of the Waynesville ~ Wilmington Pike Co. T. M. was a Freemason, a Temperance man and was a noted anti-slavery person. His home was a station on the Underground Railroad and he help to spirit many a fugitive slave to Canada and safety. In October of 1874, T. M. was elected on the Republican ticket to represent Warren Co. in the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of Ohio (See, Combination Atlas Map of Warren County, Ohio by L. H. Everts, 1875, p. 22½.)

See:

"Biographies with Warren County Conntection": http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Beers/V/mst/
1019_wales_thomas-m.htm

Political Graveyard:

http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/waldrop-waling.html

2005-08-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Valentine and
Jane F. Wales Nicholson

Valentine Nicholson (b. May 27th, 1809 in Clinton County-d. March 24, 1904 in Indianapolis, Indiana) and Jane F. Wales Nicholson (b. February 1st, 1806 in Iredale Co., North Carolina-d. September 9th, 1906 in Indiana) were married on November 3rd, 1830. They had seven children:

Mary Ellen (1829)
Ruth Wales (1831)
Elizabeth (1833)
Eden Finley (1836)
Martha Jane (1842),
Louisa (1844)
Caroline M. (1846)

The Valentine Nicholson farm was located between the Samuel Welch and the T. M. Wales properties at the foot of the "S" curve leading up to Harveysburg. See the 1856 Map of the Waynesville-Harveysburg area.

The early death of four of his children encouraged his deep belief in Spiritualism. At some point later in life Valentine was separated from his wife since he chose to live the celibate Shaker life for a while at Union Village, three miles west of Lebanon, Ohio. According to Clarkson Butterworth, the clerk of Miami Monthly Meeting (Membership of MMM in 1897):

Jane F. Nicholson (b. 1806.2.1-d.1906.9.9), Elizabeth Nicholson (b. 1833.12.10), Mary Ellen Nicholson (b. 1829-3-29). Address, 1217 Broadway, Indianapolis, Indiana. Jane was daughter of Isaac and Ruth (Welch) Wales, and named after her grandmother, Jane Finley, nee Irvin. The husband and father, Valentine Nicholson, long apart from his wife, is with the family, to be taken care of. He is not a member (of the Society of Friends). Elizabeth is an artist and Mary Ellen, a teacher of high grade. All bright people.

The Nicholsons (Valentine and Jane F. Wales Nicholson) of Harveysburg were much more radical and experimental than the Orthodox Harveys (Dr. Jesse and Elizabeth Burgess Harvey). Valentine, who was quite vocal and forthright, left The Society of Friends (Hicksite) in 1844 due to what he interpreted as a lack of zeal for abolition among both Hicksites and Orthodox Friends. Friends were equally anxious about his radical and disturbing ideas which went far beyond his advocacy of Spiritualism and belief in Phrenology and Mesmerism.

Valentine and Jane were conductors on The Underground Railroad for twenty years. Valentine came to believe that intentional communal living could model the government of God to the world and would help to convert the world from sin to holiness. He participated in the New England Anti-Slavery Society’s one-hundred conventions in the west in 1843, a series of radical Garrisonian meetings in New York State, Ohio and Indiana which typically encountered violence and expressions of hatred towards its ideals. One of the participants, Frederick Douglas, was almost killed in Indiana.

Valentine Nicholson was a radical abolitionist. Valentine and Jane belonged to Miami Monthly Meeting (probably attending Harveysburg Preparative Meeting (Hicksite); however, his radical position conflicted with the more moderate Hicksite views of Miami Monthly Meeting, which was the center of Hicksite strength in southwest Ohio. He had more in common with abolitionist Friends located in Oakland (Clinton County), Harveysburg (Warren County) and at Green Plain Monthly Meeting outside of Selma (Clark County). In effect, Miami Quarter was moderately Hicksite whereas Green Plain Quarter was much more radical. He separated, “came-out-from”, The Society of Friends eventually joining the Green Plain Congregational Friends at Selma who had also embraced Spiritualism along side their radical abolitionism. His wife, Jane, retained her membership in Miami Monthly Meeting of Friends.

The Nicholsons participated in the Oakland meeting of the Ohio American Anti-Slavery Society in October of 1842. Immediately after that convention another one was held in “Liberty Hall” in Oakland. A group interested in the radical reform of the social system met. This event led to the establishment of The Society for Universal Inquiry and Reform which eventually established seven communities to model God’s government on earth: three in Ohio (Marlborough, Prairie Home and Highland Home) and in Indiana (Union Home, West Grove or Fraternal Home, Kristeen and Grand Prairie). Valentine was involved in the Prairie Home community north of Urbana near West Liberty, Ohio, which only survived from the spring to the fall of 1844.

Valentine Nicholson was advanced in his thinking concerning education in general. He was critical of harsh methods found in many schools and believed that conditions of learning should be positive and persuasive. He advocated the methods of famed educator, Pestalozzi, and he employed a lady from Concord, New Hampshire who held similar views to teach his children and the children of relatives. (This information is taken from a manuscript about Valentine Nicholson’s life found in the Valentine Nicholson Collection located in the library of The Indiana Historical Society, The H. W. Smith Memorial Library, Collection 0M0299. A listing of the Nicholson Collection can be found at : The W. H. Smith Library Manuscripts & Archives website, http://www.indianahistory.org/library/ manuscripts/ collection guides/ om299.html.)

Isaiah Fallis, a miller in Harveysburg, and Valentine Nicholson established a new free town hall in Harveysburg. They built an academy with a hall above dedicated to free speech. Both whites and blacks were educated together on the lower level. The first meeting in this hall was attended by famous abolitionists Samuel Lewis, Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Giddings. Friends were the first teachers: Dr. Wilson Hobbs, Dr. O. W. Nixon and his brother William Penn Nixon and Israel Taylor. The Harveysburg Academy, established by Dr. Jesse Harvey, represented the work of moderate Orthodox Friends, but the Nicholson Academy represented the beliefs of Garrisonian abolitionists and immediate emancipation.

For more information:

God’s Government Begun: The Society for Universal Inquiry and Reform, 1842-1846 by Thomas D. Hamm (Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1995).

Jane F. Wales Nicholson’s personal journal, “Memories of Long Ago” and Valentine Nicholson’s of the same title.

The Valentine Nicholson Collection located in the library of The Indiana Historical Society, The H. W. Smith Memorial Library, Collection 0M0299

2005-08-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Charles & Anna King Madden

(Centennial Atlas of Warren County, Ohio, p. 23)

Charles Madden was one of the sons of Hiram and Hannah Harvey Madden. His mother Hannah was the daughter of William Harvey, the founder of Harveysburg in 1829, and Mary Chew Harvey, see The Beginnings of Harveysburg (Warren County, Ohio).

2005-08-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

Frank and Lizzie Harvey Shidaker

(Centennial Atlas of Warren County, Ohio, p. 24)

See, photograph of Frank and Lizzie at
Robert F. Shidaker Family

2005-08-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

THE HARVEYSBURG HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Harveysburg Historical Society meets ten times during the year, the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 P.M. (except in November and January). Call to find out the location of the meeting. The meetings begin with a carry-in pot luck.

The Harveysburg Historical Society conducts two open houses a year of the Black School Museum which was restored by the Society and maintained by it. The open houses are on the third Sunday of September and the third Sunday in May from 1-5 P.M. The Black School Museum can also be opened by appointment. Please call Lucy McCarren for more information, 1-513-897-6195.

The September Open House of the Black School Musuem is conducted in honor of the Emancipation Proclamation, announced on the 22nd day of September, A.D. 1862.

2005-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Wilson & Sarah Lukens Harvey Home
in 1982 (above).

The Wilson & Sarah Lukens Harvey Home
Harveysburg, Ohio

Wilson Harvey (b. September 26th, 1828) was the oldest child of the five children of Simon D. and Mary H. Burgess Harvey. Simon D. Harvey was one of the son of Isaac and Lydia Dicks Harvey. Isaac Harvey, Wilson's grandfather, was one of the pioneering Harvey brothers who came to Ohio in 1806 and settled on Todd's Fork in Clinton County, Ohio. Both Isaac and his son Simon D., Wilson's father, were involved in the Quaker Mission and School to the Shawnee Indians at Wapakoneta, Ohio (Isaac) and later after 1833 at the Quaker Mission and School in Kansas (Simon D.).

According to Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, p. 1002:

" Our subject (Wilson Harvey) was united in marriage Dec. 7th, 1858, with Sarah, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary S. Lukens, whose ancestral history will be found in sketch of Joseph Lukens; by this union they have had four children ~

Lizzie L., Born July 6th, 1860, now Mrs. (Frank) Shidaker (see, Robert F. Shidaker Family and Frank and Lizzie Harvey Shidaker)
Charlie and Harrie (twins, deceased), and,
William L. , Born Feb. 8th, 1868.

Mr. (Wilson) Harvey has resided nearly all his life in Harveysburg and vicinity, engaged principally in the honorable occupation of farming; has been very successful financially in his business life, is a man of excellent judgment and business capacity, and one who has ever held the esteem and confidence of the people of his community; has held nearly every office of the township and corporation in the gift of the people; has always taken a live interest in the subject of education, and in all moral and political progress of his community, and is, as were his ancestors before him, among the best citizens of Harveysburg.

This Greek Revival house was built around 1850. It has also been known as Ashley house.

2005-08-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

Robert F. Shidaker Family

(see Frank and Lizzie Harvey Shidaker
for more information)

OBITUARY OF
ROBERT FULTON SHIDAKER

February 23rd, 1836 ~ December 20th, 1907

ROBERT SHIDAKER ~
Answers Final Summons Friday Evening ~
For Many Years Efficient Superintendent of Miami Cemetery.

Robert Shidaker, Superintendent of Miami Cemetery, died Friday night after an illness of several months, the immediate cause of his death being jaundice.

Mr. Shidaker was one of the best known men in this community. A man who as beloved by young and old, possessed of many admirable traits of character and one who will be greatly missed.

For almost twenty years Mr. Shidaker had been superintendent of Miami Cemetery, and he filled this difficult position with unusual ability and faithfulness. Personally, he was one of the kindliest and most winning of men and his friends were limited only by the number of his acquaintances.

Funeral services were conducted from the Cemetery chapel Sunday afternoon, and the great out pouring of people to pay their last tribute of respect, was proof of the love and esteem in which he was universally held. The Chapel was completely filled and almost as many others were unable to gain admittance. Rev. Phillip Trout and Rev. J. F. Cadwallader and Rev. Benj. Hawkins, together with the local lodge of Odd Fellows had charge of the services. A special choir furnished music. Among the floral offerings, two were especially handsome, one of these being from the board of directors of Miami Cemetery, an the other from the Old Fellows lodge.

The following obituary was read at the funeral:

Robert Fulton Shidaker as born near Troy, Miami County, Ohio on February 23, 1836, and died at Corwin, Ohio, on December 20, 1907, at the age of 71 years, 9 months and 27 days. In early manhood, he moved to Clinton County and later to Warren County, where he was married to Hannah Dakin on March 21, 1857. To this exceptionally happy union were born two sons, Charles W. and Frank H., now prosperous farmers near Harveysburg.

When death called the beloved companion of Mr. Shidaker several years ago, although desolate in the extreme, he hid his aching heart from the world by the same cheery face and friendly smile, which characterized him until the day of his death.

On August 8, 1888, he was elected Superintendent of Miami Cemetery. Through his thoughtfulness, carefulness and watchfulness, the City of our Beloved Dead was made an ideal burying ground; it was the special pride of Mr. Shidaker's heart and his efforts to make this sacred spot beautiful were crowned with abundant success.

Mr. Shidaker leaves to mourn his loss besides his two sons, four grandsons and two great grand children. A much beloved grand daughter preceded him to the Great Beyond several years ago.

One who loved children and nature so devotedly could not live far from God. Hosts of Friends which included people of all ages and all classes will remember with kindly feelings the genial, happy, courteous Robert Shidaker.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CARD OF THANKS

The family of the late Robert Shidaker desire to express through the (Miami) Gazette their appreciation of the many kindnesses extended them during his sickness and at the time of his death.

Robert F. Shidaker was custodian of Miami Cemetery when he died. He is buried in Section B.

2005-08-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

Nate Harvey

(Possibly Nathaniel Harvey)

Original owned by The Harveysburg Historical Society

Nathaniel Harvey, b. June 30th, 1843 ~ d. April 6th, 1932 (buried at Springfield Monthly Meeting graveyard, Sec. 5, Lot 5). He was the son of Isaac and Sarah Edwards Harvey. He was married to Irena Moon and had three daughters: Della, Janetta, and Gertrude. He was a farmer.

According to the 1930 Federal Census, he was living, at the age of 87, in Cincinnati with his daughter Junetta and her husband, Harmon Cramer, and her daughter, Sarah E. Cramer (1930 Federal Census; Census Place: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio; Roll: 1807; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 35).

2005-08-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

HELP US IDENTIFY THESE HARVEYS OF

HARVEYSBURG, OHIO

original photograph owned by The Harveysburg Historical Society

Contact Karen at campbeka@oplin.org

Thanks to Harold J. Howard of Newark, Ohio we have identified the photograph above as the family of Charity (Kimbrough) and Aaron Harvey (Charity is seated directly left of the framed picture and Aaron is directly to the right). This Aaron Harvey is the youngest son of William (the founder of Harveysburg in 1829) and Mary Chew Harvey. The seated people are from left to right: Louise Harvey Harlan, Charity Kimbrough Harvey holding a granddaughter, Aaron Harvey holding a grandson, and Mary Harvey Shidaker. Identity of those standing is not certain. They possible are: Frank and his wife Alice Edwards Harvey, Alvin Harvey, Harlan and Emma Burnett Harvey and Charles Harvey.

Below is a descendent chart of the family of Isaac Harvey (Aaron Harvey's grandfather).

Descendants of Isaac Harvey
(Pioneer Settler at Todds Fork, Clinton Co., Ohio and Quaker missionary to the Shawnee Indians at Wapakoneta, Ohio)

1 Isaac Harvey, December 12th, 1763 ~ May 9th, 1834
.. +Agatha Terrell, September 28th, 1759 ~ June 18th, 1828
*2nd Wife of Isaac Harvey
.. +Lydia Dix (Dicks), April 7th, 1766 ~ January 2nd, 1813
............. 2 Nancy (Ann) Harvey, May 11th, 1786 ~ d. 1859
................. +Archibald Edwards
............. 2 Ruth Harvey, March 29th, 1789 ~ d. 1836
................. +Henry Towell
............. 2 Elizabeth Harvey, July 17th, 1792 ~ d. May 9th, 1875
................. +Enoch Harlan
............. 2 Rebecca Harvey, January 17th, 1795 ~ d. June 20th, 1876
................. +Jonathan T. Hadley
............. 2 William Harvey, December 27th, 1797 ~ December 15th, 1866 (founder of Harveysburg)
................. +Mary Crew 1799 -
............................. 3 Joseph D. Harvey, December 11th, 1819 ~ October 5th, 1889
............................. 3 Jane Harvey, November 1st, 1821 ~ October 15th, 1857
............................. 3 Isaac Harvey, b. December 19th, 1823
............................. 3 Mariah Mary Harvey, b. May 22nd, 1826
............................. 3 Hannah F. Harvey, b. August 5th, 1828
............................. 3 Ruth Harvey, December 3rd, 1830 ~ May 11th, 1856
............................. 3 Martha Harvey, June 12th, 1833 ~ September 19th, 1854
............................. 3 Lindley Harvey, October 17th, 1835 ~ January 14th, 1861
............................. 3 Deborah Harvey, August 26th, 1838 ~ January 14th, 1861-
............................. 3 Aaron Harvey, June 7th, 1844 ~ June 29th, 1912
................................. +Charity Kimbrough 1843 -
............................................ 4 Louise Harvey 1866 - 1930
................................................ +George W. Harlan 1862 -
....................................................... 5 Vivian Harlan 1896 - 1934
....................................................... 5 Gladys Harlan 1903 - 1973
............................................ 4 Mary Harvey 1869 - 1949
................................................ +Harry Shidaker 1882 - 1970
....................................................... 5 Bessie Shidaker 1904 -
....................................................... 5 Wayne Shidaker
............................................ 4 Frank Harvey 1871 - 1957
................................................ +Alice Edwards 1872 - 1950
....................................................... 5 Donald Harvey 1894 - 1961
....................................................... 5 Mary Louise Harvey 1905 - 1966
............................................ 4 Charles Eli Harvey, 1873 - January 8th, 1909
................................................ +Zelma Belle Gaskill
.................................................. 5 Georgia Elizabeth Harvey. b. 1903-
............................................ 4 Alvin Hadley Hadley Harvey 1875 - 1918
................................................ +Clarissa Lillian Smith, June 23rd, 1882 - 1971
....................................................... 5 Zula Marie Harvey, b. June 22nd, 1904
....................................................... 5 Harold Aaron Harvey, February 7th, 1906 - 1978
.................................................. 5 Archelaus Dunham Harvey, July 23rd, 1907 - 1973
............................................ 4 Harlan Harvey 1877 - 1966
................................................ +Emma Burnett 1877 - 1959
....................................................... 5 Alvin Linley Harvey 1906 - 1966
............................................ 4 Zula Harvey 1879 - 1891
............................................ 4 Roy Harvey 1881 - 1884
............. 2 Harlan Harvey, October 9th, 1801 ~ d. May 20th, 1881
................. +Ruth Chew
............. 2 Simon Dicks Harvey, September 18th, 1804 ~ July 14th, 1876
................. +Mary H. Burgess, February 1st, 1809 ~ August 9th, 1862
............. 2 Lydia Harvey
............. 2 Martha Harvey, May 24th, 1809 ~ d. May 5th, 1865
................. +Aaron Antram

Alvin Hadley and Clarissa Smith Harvey (below)

Clara Smith Harvey (below)

All photographs owned by The Harveysburg Historical Society

Above: The "Harvey Bunch", after the death of Aaron Harvey
Below: Framed genealogy of the William Harvey family
hanging in the Black School Museum in Harveysburg.

2005-08-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Main Street ~ Looking east
Main Street ~ Looking East
Above & Below: Main Street ~ Looking west,
starting down the Famous "S" Curve on the right.
Main Street
Harveysburg, Ohio

Postcards~Harveysburg Historical Society

2005-08-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

The Harveysburg Mill

on Caesar's Creek

(No longer extant)

"The Grist mill that now stands on Caesar's Creek, near Harveysburg, was built in 1839 by Amos and Samuel G. Welch and Thomas M. Wales. It has been run constantly since its erection, and is now the only one in operation in the township. It is forty feet square and three stories high, and works three runs of stone. Since its original owners, it has been successively owned by Isaiah Fallis, John and Thomas Fallis, George Wikle, William Harlan, William Starry, George Ross, Alfred Edwards, and the present proprietor, T. E. Lawrence" (Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, p. 652).

2005-08-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Harveysburg Methodist Church:
Above & Below: Photographs taken in 1982.

The Methodist Church
Harveysburg, Ohio

Harveysburg had a Methodist Church and also a Methodist Church for African-Americans (See, Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, p. 653. Below is a photograph of Harveysburg Methodist Church Ladies Aid (Harveysburg Historical Society):

2005-08-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Darwin Harris House

South Street ~ Harveysburg, Ohio

Darwin Harris was born in Georgia around 1807-1808. He was a farmer in Massie Township of Warren County. He was married to Esther Harris who was born in Delaware. They had two children:

John L.
James D.

The 1880 Federal Census lists Darwin, a retired farmer, aged 73, and Esther as living in Harveysburg (1880 Federal Census ; Census Place: Harveysburg, Warren, Ohio; Roll: T9_1075; Family History Film: 1255075; Page: 348.1000; Enumeration District: 73).

Also see, "Harris Queries", Posted by Betty Seprodi on http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:uejomrdrmSAJ:www.tbgen.com/bbs/harris.cgi%3Fread%3D6+%22Darwin+Harris%22&hl=en.

2005-08-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Milton Hadley Home ~ Photograph above taken from
(1903 Centennial Atlas of Warren Co., Ohio, p. 24)

Above: Milton Hadley Home: Photograph of house taken in 1982.

Below: Milton Hadley Home Today

Below: Aunt Lucy & Uncle Milton Hadley
(Original photograph~Harveysburg Historical Society)

The Milton Hadley Home
Cross & South Streets
Harveysburg, Ohio

Information is taken from
Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, p. 1002

MILTON HADLEY: farmer; P. O. Harveysburg; born in Clinton County, Ohio, Feb. 19th, 1833; is a son of Jonathan T. and Rebecca (Harvey) Hadley, natives of North Carolina. The grandparents, Simon and Elizabeth Hadley, were probably natives of North Carolina, but emigrated to Indiana, where they lived and died. Jonathan T. Hadley was born March 14th, 1793 and grew to manhood in his native State, and about the spring of 1814 emigrated to Ohio, and located in Clinton County. In 1815, he was married to Rebecca Harvey, by whom he had nine children; six now survive:

Lydia D.
Samuel L.
Simon
Deborah L.
Milton (our subject)
Harlan H.

Mr. (Jonathan) Hadley followed the honest occupation of a farmer through life. When he came from North Carolina to Ohio he rode through on horseback, and after he married, located right in the woods, erected a cabin, and started out in life a poor pioneer, determined to make a farm and a home. He was a man of industry and great energy, and his efforts were crowned with success becoming possessed of a good competency. He furnished each of his children with 130 acres of land, and had a good sufficiency reserved for himself. Mr Hadley was a very retired, unassuming man, never holding or seeking office, but one of those firm, substantial men, prompt and exact in all his dealings, constituting one of the best of citizens in his community.

He (Jonathan) died in October 1878 in his 86th year; his wife (Rebecca Harvey Hadley) died in July 1876, aged 81 years.

Our subject (Milton Hadley) was raised to manhood in Clinton County; was married September 21, 1854, to Lucy M.,, daughter of John L. and Susan Smoot, natives of Virginia, but who emigrated to Perry Co., Ohio, thence to Warren County, and thence to Illinois, where they died. They were parents of seven children, who grew to maturity; three now survive:

Sarah A., now Mrs Grimes
Lucy M., now Mrs. Hadley
Nancy Jane, now Mrs. Gause.

Lucy M. (Hadley) was born in Virginia Aug. 21st, 1832. Mr. Hadley and wife have two children:

Isaac H., born Aug. 21st, 1855, and (m. Martha Nedry)
Otis (Milton), born May 27th, 1868 (m. Florence Stump), see photo below.
(They also raised an orphan as their own, Laura A. Carroll from the age of three who married Charles W. Shidaker [1903 Centennial Atlas of Warren Co., Ohio, p. 24]).

Mr. (Milton) Hadley resided in Clinton Co. till October 1858, when he bought a farm on Flat Rock Creek, in Warren County, where he resided till 1873, when be bought and located where he now lives and since resided, and where he has a fine farm with good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Hadley has been Trustee and Treasurer of his township. The general character of his father (Jonathan T. Hadley), as given above, is well represented in his son, and could the country be filled with such men, we should have much better officers, neighbors and citizens.

According to the 1900 Federal Census, Milton and Lucy were living in Harveysburg (1900 Federal Census; Census Place: Massie, Warren, Ohio; Roll: T623 1330; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 144. Milton Hadley died on January 6th, 1912 in Lookeba, Oklahoma in the home of his son Isaac H. Hadley. Lucy died in Harveysburg, Ohio six years earlier. They also had their farm residence in Massie Township (1903 Centennial Atlas of Warren Co., Ohio, p. 24):

Lucy and Milton are both buried in Springfield Monthly Meeting's graveyard, Clinton County, Ohio (Cemetery Records of Clinton Co., Ohio, 1798-1999, compiled by the Clinton Co. Genealogy Society, 2000, P. 472):

Milton Hadley, d. Lookeba, Oklahoma, b. 2-13-1833 Clarksville, Ohio, d. 6-12-1912, Bur. Sec. 6, Lot 1 & 3, wife Lucy M. Hadley.

Lucy M. Hadley, d. Harveysburg, Ohio, b. 8-2-1832, d. 12-15-1906, Bur. Sec 6, Lot 1, nee Smoot, husband Milton Hadley (m. 9-21-1854).

Milton Hadley's mother, Rebecca Harvey Hadley (1795-1876) was the daughter of Isaac and Lydia Dicks Harvey and the sister of William Harvey who platted Harveysburg in 1829.

Milton and Lucy were members of Springfield Monthly Meeting of Friends on Todds Fork in Clinton County, Ohio. They moved their membership to Miami Monthly Meeting of Friends on 1874.1.17 (Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. V, pp. 63 & 568). This happened when the family moved to a farm near Harveysburg. They probably attended Harveysburg Preparative Meeting (Orthodox) located in Harveysburg.

Otis and Florence Hadley,
Christmas 1933
They lived on their farm near Oregonia, Ohio

2005-08-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Edward & Rachel Lukens
Hatton Home
East of Harveysburg, Ohio ~ on Hatton Hill

These photographs were taken in 1982.
The house is now obscured by trees and hedges.

Edward Hatton (b. September 27th, 1794 in Chester Co., Pa. ~ d. December 25, 1883 in Harveysburg, Ohio) married Rachel Lukens (b. October 24th, 1796 ~ d. May 25th, 1879) in 1817 in Warren County, Ohio (see, Early Marriage in Wayne Township, Warren Co., Beer's History, http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Beers/IV/way/0577.htm) at Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville. Rachel was the daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Cleaver Lukens.

Edward and Rachel Hatton had eleven children:

Lewis, b. 1817.12.2 ~ d. 1822.10.24
Ann, b. 1819.9.4 ~ d. 1896.5.26 (m. Moses Kelly)
Levi, b. 1821.8.6
George, b. 1825.3.19
Jervis J., b. 1827.10.19
Susannah, b. 1830.2.16 ~ d. 1868.11.27
Elizabeth, b. 1833.8.23 ~ d. 1854.6.3
Mary E., b. 1836.11.14
Edward B., b. 1838.10.1
Rachel, b. 1838.10.1 ~ d. 1841.10.17
Deborah, b. 1842.7.23

Many of the children were disowned for marriages outside of unity (for marrying a non-Quaker). See, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. V, Ohio compiled by William Wade Hinshaw, pp. 69-70.

2005-08-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Alfred Edwards Home

Harveysburg, Ohio

Alfred Edwards (b. September 25th, 1837 in Harveysburg ~ d. December 4th, 1927 in Harveysburg) was the son of Larkin and Maud Nedry Edwards. Larkin Edwards was in partnership with William Ham, the son of Rhoden Ham, upon whose farm Harveyburg was platted in 1829. They had a blacksmith shop together.

Larkin's son, Alfred Edward married Mary Letitia West of Oakland, Ohio on February 15th, 1870. They had a son, Robert Charles Edwards who was born on December 17th, 1871. Alfred Edwards was at one time the owner of the Harveysburg grist mill (built in 1839) that stood on Caesar's Creek. Previous owners had been Amos and Samuel G. Welch and Thomas M. Wales, Isaiah Fallis, John and Thomas Fallis, George Wikle, William Harlan, William Starry, and George Ross (see, Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, pp. 652-653).

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Levi S. Lukens

Information taken from
Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio,
pp. 1007-1008

This sketch also contain a great deal of information about
Rhoden Ham and family, Levi S. Lukens wife's family.
Rhoden Ham owned the land upon
which Harveysburg would be platted in 1829.

LEVI S. LUKENS, farmer; P.O. Harveysburg; born in Warren Co., Jan. 19th, 1845; is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Satterthwaite) Lukens; he was a native of Virginia, whose ancestral history is written in sketch of Joseph Lukens. Benjamin and Mary were parents of four children, two now survive ~~Sarah, now Mrs. Wilson Harvey and Levi S.

Mr. (Benjamin) Lukens was a farmer, and after his marriage located in Massie township, where he resided till his death, in October 1875, aged 75 years; his wife (Mary) died Feb. 17th, 1865, aged 62 years.

The subject of this sketch (Levi S. Lukens) remained with his father till after his majority; was married June 8th, 1870 to Tacy Ellen, daughter of William and Martha (Burgess) Ham, he a native of South Carolina and she of Virginia. William Ham was a son of Rhoden and Abigail Ham, natives of South Carolina.

Rhoden Ham was a son of William and Eleanor Ham, who , it is believed, were natives of South Carolina, and lived and died in their native State. They had three sons who grew to maturity, married and raised families; the eldest of whom was Rhoden, who married Abigail McKinsey, whose ancestral history is given in sketch of Henry McKinsey, of Wayne Township, in this work.

In 1808, Rhoden Ham with his family emigrated to Ohio and located in Wayne Township and there resided one year; thence to Clinton Co., and in 1815 moved back into Warren Co., and purchased a farm embracing the land upon which the town of Harveysburg now stands, of which see history of Massie Township and here he resided till 1828; he removed to Montgomery Co., Indiana, where he died in 1850. His wife (Abigail McKinsey) survived him about two weeks; they had ten children, three now survive~ William, James R. and Mary, Now Mrs. Ammerman, residing in Indiana; James R. is settled in Iowa, engaged in the practice of medicine, is a very active and prominent Brother in the U. B. Church and is a ruling Elder.

William Ham is the only one remaining a resident of Warren Co. He has been thrice married:

first to Leanna Edwards by whom he had three children, one surviving, James R., whose residence is Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Ham's wife died Nov. 2nd, 1835; in December 1837, he married Martha Burgess, issue three children ~ Thomas, Findlay and Tacy Ellen; his second wife died in fall of 1852. On April 18th, 1853, he married Mrs. Rebecca Mills, a daughter of Archibald and Nancy Edwards, natives of North Carolina.

Mr. (William) Ham when a young man, learned the blacksmith trade, located in Harveysburg, and carried on his trade very successful for twenty-five years; thence he entered upon the mercantile business, which he followed twelve years; four of which were in the dry goods and grocery trade, in which he was not so successful, meeting with heavy losses; the last eight years he was engaged in the drug trade, in which he was very successful. In January 1881, he sold out to his grandson Arthur L. Ham, and retired from all active business to pass the balance of his days in quiet and rest. Mr. (William) Ham has spent a life of activity and usefulness, from which his labors have been abundantly rewarded by a good competency; has been an active Christian worker for more than forty years, and lives in faith to believe that when his Lord calls him hence, he shall reach that "brighter shore."

Mr. (Levi S.) Lukens and wife (Tacy Ellen) have three children:

Benjamin H., born June 12th, 1871
Mary M., born Oct. 24th, 1873, and,
Alice, born Jan. 16th, 1876.

Mr. (Levi S.) Lukens, after his marriage, located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. This farm he purchased of Turner Welch; it consists of 105 acres of good land, most beautifully located, with good buildings and improvements, and is one of the prettiest locations in Massie Township. Mr. Lukens also owns other real estate to the amount of 283 acres, making in all 388 acres, mostly improved land. He is comparatively young, but is a man of great general information and an industrious active famer; takes a great interest in education and all general public improvements and is one of the progressive and useful men of Massie Township.

2005-08-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

FIFTY-SPRINGS ~
A 19th CENTURY HEALTH RESORT

Harveysburg, Ohio

During the latle 1850s, a retired businessman, Jonathan P. Clark, from Cincinnati purchased a bucolic area near Harveysburg famous for its multitude of mineral springs. It was located at the end of Clark Avenue on the slope of the ridge southwest of Harveysburg, the same ridge upon which Harveysburg was situated. The more than 50 springs fed into Caesar's Creek. He enclosed the largest of the springs and built spring houses of lattice work and a platform for guest speakers and benches for the audience. After his death, the resort declined but the area was still noted for its 50 springs and its beauty.

Today the springs and the old resort area and an Indian mound are under Caesar's Creek Lake.

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THE FAMOUS "S" CURVE
that led up a steep hill to Harveysburg
from the valley of Caesar's Creek
Old State Rte 73 (Wilmington~Waynesville Road)

The bridge crossing Caesar's Creek at the
bottom of the Harveysburg hill (now underwater).

"The first bridge on Caesar's Creek was built in 1846 a the present crossing of the Waynesville and Wilmington Turnpike. It was built by the county aided by private subscriptions. It was covered, weather-boarded and painted by the county in 1848. On the 7th of January 1850, it was washed away, and in the same year was replaced by a substantial 120 foot span, arch bridge, which was burned by incendiaries on the 9th of February 1876. The county then built in its stead the present handsome and substantial iron sturcture" (Beer's 1882 History of Warren County, Ohio, p. 652).

The "S" curve looking from the top of the hill.
In the distance can be seen the valley of Caesar's Creek.
The valley is now Caesar's Creek Lake.

Below: Photos of the "S" Curve from the 1940s:

2005-08-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

THE BLACK SCHOOL
IN HARVEYSBURG, OHIO

The Black School before its restoration (above).
It was restored by the Harveysburg Historical Society.
This photograph was taken in 1982.

The front and back of the restored Black School, today a musuem.

Elizabeth Burgess Harvey, wife of Dr. Jesse Harvey, founded what has often been thought to be the first black school in Ohio around 1831 according to Beer’s 1882 History of Warren County. She is also mentioned in the book Ohio Builds A Nation by Samuel Hardin Stille (Chicago, Lower Salem, Ohio and New York City: The Arlendale Book House, 1939), p. 118.:

The first free Negro school in Ohio devoted to the education of the unfortunate people was opened in Harveysburg, over thirty years before the Civil War. The school was opened and conducted by Elizabeth Harvey. She was the first woman to devote her life to the advancement and education of the Negro race. Her name should be entered on the roll of honor of those noble people who gave their lives to a great cause.

Both Elizabeth and Jesse had an abiding interest in the education of Native-Americans and African-Amiericans.

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THE ORTHODOX QUAKER CEMETERY
IN HARVEYSBURG

The tombstone to the right is the marker for Dr. Jesse Burgess.

The Orthodox Quaker Graveyard is located across the street from the old Orthodox Meetinghouse behind two homes.

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THE QUAKER MEETINGHOUSES
IN HARVEYSBURG, OHIO

GROVE MEETINGHOUSE & GRAVEYARD BEHIND HOUSE
(Front view)

GROVE MEETINGHOUSE & GRAVEYARD
(View from behind)

Today the Hicksite "Grove Meetinghouse", which was a Preparative Meeting of Miami Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Waynesville, Ohio, is a private residence. The white frame building has been much altered over the years. The height of the building was reduced and there were originally two separate entrances on the front face for men and women. The small cemetery is located behind the residence. All the stones are underground. The Hicksite meetinghouse and cemetery are located on the far east end of Main Street.

THE ORTHODOX MEETINGHOUSE
Clark & Maple Streets ~ Harveysburg
Replaced the original Orthodox Quaker meetinghouse of 1828
that had been on the same site.

This Harveysburg Orthodox Meetinghouse was built in 1875 (Harveysburg Preparative Meeting~Orthodox). The following was published in Waynesville's Miami-Gazette (in the Harveysburg column) on May 19th, 1875:

The Orthodox Friends are collecting material for a new brick Church to be built on the side of the old one. Which they will begin to tear down in the course of eight orten days. They will probably hold meetings in the school house until the new one is finished.

In 1942 this Orthodox preparative meeting became Miami Monthly Meeting (Orthodox). Over the years the building has undergone many renovations and has been a church for other denominations as well, e.g. the Southern Baptist Church in 1963 and by the Church of God. The photograph above was taken in 1982.

Above & Below: The Orthodox Meetinghouse today.

Above & Below: The Orthodox Quaker Meetinghouse as it once looked.

Grove Meeting was established as an indulged meeting of Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville, Ohio on January 29th, 1817. In 1823 it became a "meeting for worship" and a "Preparative Meeting" of Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville. The original Grove Meetinghouse was located on an eight-acre lot about one and one-half miles south of Harveysburg (Survey 1045), about half way to Henpeck. It was the first church in the area to be built. Richard Moon originally owned the land. The first house was built of logs and was used as both a meeting and schoolhouse. It had a thriving school. The Hicksite Separation of 1828 wrecked its havoc on Grove Meeting in 1828. The meeting divided into Hicksite and Orthodox groups and both groups moved into the newly platted village of Harveysburg. The Hicksite Meetinghouse, continuing on as an indulged, preparative and meeting for worship under the jurisdiction of Miami Monthly Meeting (Hicksite) in Waynesville, survived until it was laid down in 1907. The Hicksite meetinghouse still stands as a private residence at the end East Main Street. There is a small cemetery next to the building. The Orthodox group became known as Harveysburg Preparative Meeting. It became known as Miami Monthly Meeting (Orthodox) in 1942 when monthlythly meeting moved from Waynesville to Harveysburg. It was laid down in 1960. The Orthodox Meetinghouse still stands as a private residence at the fork of the road created by Maple and Clark Streets in Harveysburg. The Orthodox Quaker Cemetery is located across the street behind two houses.

Also see, The History of Warren County, Ohio (Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1882), p. 651.

Two nearby subordinate meetings to Miami Monthly Meeting (Orthodox) were:

Flat Fork Preparative in Massie Township, Warren County, located at 7991 Oregonia Road (1922-1942):

Above: Flat Fork Meetinghouse today
(Private residence)

and, Turtle Creek Preparative in Wayne Township, Warren County (1859-1942), just a few miles south of Waynesville, click on photographs. It was a very old preparative meeting that was established long before the Hicksite Separation, a subordinate meeting of Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville:

The large cemetery at Turtle Creek is listed on the Warren County Genealogy Society webpage: http://www.co.warren.oh.us/genealogy/cem/Turtlecreek.htm. The little meetinghouse is no longer extant.

2005-08-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Marie & Jesse Romine Home

Dr. Marie Romine ~ Quaker Physician

Harveysburg, Ohio

Dr. Marie Downing Romine (b. 1848) was one of the five children of Jacob Downing (1807-1862) and Jane Underwood Downing (1813-1907). Towards the end of the Civil War, after Jacob Downing died in Pennsylvania, Jane Underwood Downing brought her family of five children to the Harveysburg area. Her sister was Matilda Downing Underwood, a respected Quaker minister of Grove Meeting in Harveysburg.

Marie taught school and by making friends with the roughnecks, she won their cooperation. She married a farmer, Jesse Romine, near Harveysburg. Marie always wanted to be a doctor but never had the opportunity. Unable to have children, they adopted one of her sister Rebecca’s girls, hoping that she would be willing to go to medical school. Unfortunately, the girl was not interested in becoming a doctor.

Marie’s husband finally persuaded Marie to fulfill her own dream. She graduated from medical school in Cincinnati and was the first woman doctor licensed to practice medicine in Ohio. Her practice was in Harveysburg and the surrounding area. The family thought of Dr. Mary L. Cook as Dr. Marie Romine’s “convert” to medicine. Mary worked in Dr. Marie's office while she attended high school in Harveysburg.

The Romine property can be seen on the 1891 Map of Harveysburg and the 1903 Map of Harveysburg.

2005-08-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

THE ZION BAPTIST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH
Harveysburg, Ohio

(No longer extant, photographs taken in 1982)

The Zion Baptist Church was built using the materials from the old Harveysburg Academy which had been founded by Dr. Jesse Harvey. This African-American Church was built on the same site as the old Academy. The cemetery of Zion Baptist Church is located outside of the village across Rte 73 in the Fifty Springs Picnic Area of Caesar Creek State Park.

Above is a photograph of the Zion Baptist African-American Cemetery near Harveysburg in the Fifty Springs Picnic Area.

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1903 Map of Harveysburg, Ohio

(Massie Township, Warren County, Ohio)

Click on map to enlarge.

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1891 Map of Harveysburg, Ohio

(Massie Township, Warren County, Ohio)

Click on map to enlarge.

Note the location of the "Friends Church" at the intersection of Clark Avenue and the Road to Oregania. This is the Orthodox Quaker Meeting, Harveysburg Monthly Meeting. Grove Meeting (Preparative meeting of Miami Monthly Meeting Hicksite in Waynesville) is not shown. The Orthodox Friends Grave Yard is also shown northeast of the Orthodox Quaker Meetinghouse.

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1875 Map of Harveysburg, Ohio

(Massie Township, Warren County, Ohio)

Click on map to enlarge.

Please note on the map the "school", "the pork house", the "colored school", and the "Friends Church". This Friends Meetinghouse, on the far eastern end of the village, is the Hicksite Grove Meeting, a preparative meeting of Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville. The small Hicksite Friends Graveyard is directly south of the meetinghouse.

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1856 Map of the Waynesville-Harveysburg area
(Wayne & Massie Townships, Warren County, Ohio)

Click on the map to enlarge.

Between Waynesville/Corwin and Harveysburg there is rich farm land. In the past, as one traveled east from Waynesville, the land dropped down into a steep and wide valley, the valley of Caesar's Creek. High on the eastern ridge overlooking the valley was Harveysburg located on the main road between Wilmington and Waynesville, Ohio. This road, which was once the Main Street of Harveysburg, is now State Rte 73. However, it has been diverted around Harveysburg twice over the years. Before these diversions, Harveysburg was famous for the famous "S"curve that lead up from the bottom of the valley into the village.

2005-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

THE BEGINNINGS OF HARVEYSBURG

(Warren County, Ohio):

William Harvey, the founder of Harveysburg, Ohio was born on December 27th, 1797 in Orange County, North Carolina and died on December 15th, 1866 in Harveysburg, Ohio. He was the fifth child of Isaac and Lydia Dicks Harvey. William and Mary Crew Harvey and a number of their children are buried in Springfield Monthly Meeting graveyard (Clinton County, Ohio).

The area around the future Harveysburg was settled very early in the 19th century. The pioneer community circled Rhoden Ham’s cabin on his farm atop a tall ridge overlooking the east bank of Caesar’s Creek. The area was made up of rich virgin land, which only needed hard work to turn into productive farms. The valley of Ceasar’s Creek would also become a safe haven for the peaceable Shawnee during the War of 1812. The village was not platted by William Harvey until 1829 (see first plat map above). The story goes that he went to Cincinnati, a journey of five days at that time, two to travel to and two to travel back and one day to do business, to buy supplies for his dry goods store. The merchant asked him where to send his supplies. He responded that it was just a little spot, a "burg", in the woods above Caesar's Creek, a tributary of the Little Miami River. The merchant addressed the supplies to “Harveysburg”.

The Beer’s History of Warren County, 1882, pp. 652-654 has this to say about the hamlet of Harveysburg, Ohio and William Harvey:

This is the township seat and principal village of the township. It is situated on the east bank of Caesar's Creek, at an elevation of over 100 feet above the level of the stream. The land on which it now stands was entered by Colonel Abraham Buford, August 6, 1787. It was afterward owned by Rhoden Ham, who located on it in March 1815. William Harvey, after whom the town was named, became the proprietor in 1827. He platted and laid out the town in 1828, and recorded the plat on the 8th of January 1829. According to this plat, the town lay along the State road and contained forty-seven lots, numbered consecutively from number one to forty-seven. There were twenty-five lots six poles wide by twelve poles long, seventeen lots six poles by six poles, two lots five and four-tenths by six poles, one lot three by ten poles, two large, irregular-shaped lots, and a church lot. The State road formed the principal street, and the road to Middletown the principal cross-street. There were also South Street, one cross street not named, and three cross alleys.

The town is in a healthy location, and is surrounded by fertile and productive farmlands. It is noted for the philanthropy, enterprise and morality of it’s inhabitants. For many years pork packing was carried on extensively within its limits, as was also the traffic in wool and grain. . . . William Harvey, one of the founders of the village, was for many years its most prominent businessman, being largely engaged in the pork business. He afterward moved to Parke County, Indiana, where he remained for a few years, when he returned to Harveysburg, and there died in December 1866. His widow, Mary Harvey, lives with her daughter in Harveysburg.

Most of the Harveys had settled in Clinton County along Todds Fork. That area became known as the "Harvey Settlement" and Springfield Monthly Meeting would be established there. Harveysburg itself, located a few miles west just over the boarder in Warren County, would also host a large community of Quakers. As in Waynesville, Ohio, other denominations and faiths would dwell together side by side in Harveysburg with the tolerant Friends.