USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Lodge no. 61, F. and A. M., Wilkesbarr?, Pa. with a collection of masonic addresses > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
322
The regiment numbered 863 men when it went into the Seven Days' conflict, and 353 when it came out of the last battle!
The hardships during this week of battles have rarely been exceeded, and at the close Colonel Harvey found himself completely prostrated. He had been bruised on the shoulder by a piece of an exploding shell, struck on the neck by a spent minie-ball, and severely bruised and injured by being thrown to the ground by the runaway horses of an artillery caisson. In addition to these injuries he had an attack of rheumatism of such a type as to preclude further service in the field. Consequently, July 4th, 1862, he ten- dered his resignation, which was accepted, and he was honorably discharged from the military service of the United States.
He reached his home at Wilkesbarré July 16th, and for nearly a year thereafter was very much of an invalid-for most of the time unable to attend to any business.
Colonel Harvey's interest in military matters was only exceeded by the interest he took in educational affairs. His connection with the Wyoming Seminary has already been referred to. In 1849 he was elected Secretary of the School Board of Wilkesbarré borough, and from that time until he entered the army he was, as Secretary or Director, closely identified with, and deeply interested in, the public schools of the town. He was one of the incorporators of the "Wilkesbarré Female Institute," established in 1854, and a member of its first Board of Trustees. After his return from the army he had no inclination, in his impaired state of health, to return to active work as a lawyer. Having a fondness for teaching, he opened in 1863, in his three- story brick building on Franklin street, a "Classical and Mathematical Institute" for both sexes. From three to five assistant teachers were constantly employed in the. school, and frequently the number of scholars reached 200.
323
For several years it was the most successful and popular school in Luzerne county. During most of the time that the school was in operation, Colonel Harvey was engaged more or less in law business, and in attending to various pursuits and projects, until finally, in 1869, his time being entirely claimed by duties not connected with the school, he decided to close it.
Colonel Harvey's work as an educator, and a friend of education, was not confined to the limits I have specified, but repeatedly took the form of practical help and assistance to those who were desirous of securing an education. He took great interest in young men whom he deemed worthy and deserving. He aided over a dozen such, in a most unostentatious manner, by gifts of money and instruction in his school and other institutions of learning, to secure the advantages of a good education. Several of these men are now occupying important stations in life.
Colonel Harvey was more or less in public life. In 1849 and 1850 he was chairman of the Luzerne county committee of the Democratic-Whig party, and in August, 1850, he presided over the county convention of that party and was nominated for the State Legislature. At the same time L. D. Shoemaker, Esq., was nominated for the office of District Attorney, G. W. Palmer for Sheriff, and Henry M. Fuller, Esq., for Congress; but at the election in October Palmer and Fuller were the only successful ones of the four candi- dates. During the year 1850 Mr. Harvey was Deputy Attorney General for Luzerne county. In 1854 he was elected, as the candidate of the Whig party, Register of Wills for Luzerne county, for the term of three years. From 1850 to 1861 he was Clerk of the Wilkesbarré Borough Council ; from 1852 to 1860 Collector of Taxes for Wilkes- barré borough; from 1857 to 1860 Clerk of the Markets and Sealer of Weights and Measures of Wilkesbarré.
.
In June, 1856, he was appointed Chief of Police of Wilkes-
324
barré. In early days "old Michael"* and his broad-sword ruled the passions of men and boys in our streets; but Wilkesbarré having become, in the Year of Grace 1856, a thriving borough of 3500 inhabitants, and Michael having a decade before rested from his labors as High Constable, and passed to a higher and more glorious position in the streets of the New Jerusalem, the "Borough Fathers" thought it necessary to create the office of "Chief of Police." Mr. Harvey was the first incumbent of the office, and he was re-appointed to the same annually up to 1861. One of the Wilkesbarré papers, speaking of "the force," in 1856-7, said :
" Mr. Harvey, the Chief of the posse, is peculiarly qualified for the position to which he has been appointed by the Council, and through his efforts, and the aid of his principal associates, the organization is perhaps more perfect and efficient than any police organization in the State outside of the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburg."
In July, 1861, Mr. Harvey having been elected Colonel of the 7th Reserves, the following preamble and resolution were adopted by the Borough Council : "WHEREAS, our late efficient Chief of Police and Secretary of Town Council has been called to higher duties, and his said offices have thereby become vacant, and it is necessary that the said vacancies be filled ; therefore Resolved, That we proceed to elect a Chief of Police and a Secretary, to serve during the absence of Colonel Harvey."
J. B. Stark, Esq., ex-Sheriff of Luzerne county, was chosen to fill the place, and in 1862 Agib Ricketts, Esq., Attorney at Law, was appointed Chief, Mr. Stark having been elected to represent Luzerne county in the State Senate.
The police force of Wilkesbarre from 1856 to 1865 included many well-known and prominent citizens of the borough, among them being Henry M. Hoyt, Wm. L.
* See page 251, ante, for notice of "old Michael." .
325
Conyngham, Dr. E. R. Mayer, Henry W. Palmer. G. B. Nicholson, Stanley Woodward, W. G. Sterling, Wesley Johnson, and Jas. P. Dennis.
In May, 1865, Colonel Harvey was elected Burgess of Wilkesbarré. In 1866 he was elected a Justice of the Peace for the First ward of Wilkesbarre, for the term of five years, and in 1871 he was elected to serve a second term. When the town was incorporated a city be became, by virtue of the office of Justice of the Peace, Alderman of the Fourth ward of the city. At the charter election for city officers in June, 1871, he was a candidate for the Mayoralty. His opponent was Ira M. Kirkendall (Democrat), who was elected. "The returns gave unmistakable evidence of want of interest in the new city organization, especially among the better classes of citizens."
Mr. Harvey was one of the corporators, for a long time Secretary and Treasurer, and ultimately Sequestrator, of "The Wilkesbarre and Providence Plank Road Company."
From November, 1859, to November, 1861, he was a Director of the Wyoming Bank of Wilkesbarré. He was an active member of "The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society," "The Luzerne County Agricultural Society," "The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society," "The Wilkesbarré Law and Library Association," and, before the days of paid fire departments, was President and an active member of one of the Wilkesbarré fire companies.
Colonel Harvey was made a Free Mason in LODGE 61 February 6th, 1854. He served as Secretary of the Lodge in 1855 and 1863, Senior Warden in 1856, and Worshipful Master in 1857. He was made an honorary member of the Lodge December 13th, 1869. The degrees of Mark Master, M. E. Master, and Royal Arch were conferred upon Brother Harvey in Perseverance Royal Arch Chapter No. 21, Harrisburg, Penn'a, December 3d, 1855. He resigned from that Chapter on the 3d of December, 1855, and became
326
one of the Charter members of Shekinah R. A. Chapter No. 182, Wilkesbarré. He was the first M. E. High Priest of this Chapter, serving until December 1856, and was Treasurer of the Chapter from December, 1858, to Decem- ber, 1860.
September 19th, 1856, Companion Harvey was knighted in Palestine Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, sta- tioned at Carbondale, Penn'a. He was admitted to mem- bership in Cœur de Lion Commandery No. 17, Scranton, Penn'a, October 21st, 1869, and remained a member of that Commandery until his death.
Brother Harvey was a very enthusiastic Mason, and was always active in upholding the principles and supporting the interests of the Fraternity. He was also prominent as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being for many years a Past Grand in Wyoming Lodge No. 39, and a Past Chief Patriarch in Outalissi Encampment No. 39, Wilkesbarré. At the time of his death he was District Deputy Grand Master for the Southern District of Luzerne county, and a nominee (with excellent prospects of election) for the office of R. W. Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Pennsylvania.
In May, 1873, a new Lodge of Odd Fellows, composed almost entirely of young men, was instituted at Wilkes- barré, and was named E. B. Harvey Lodge No. 839. The same month the annual session of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was held in Wilkesbarré, and John W. Stokes, Esq., of Philadelphia, Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of the United States, in an address to the members of the Order and the citizens of Wilkesbarré, said :
" I should do violence to my own feelings, and those for whom I have the honor to speak, if I did not express the deep regret and sor- · row we all feel in common with yourselves, at the absence and loss of our much beloved Brother, and your highly esteemed citizen and friend, E. B. Harvey, who was ever ready to advocate the cause of human suffering and woe, and sacrifice his life, if need be, for his
327
country's good. His clarion voice, which we all delighted to hear, and that thrilled our hearts one short year ago, is hushed in death. The hand that was ever ready to be extended to the needy and de- serving Brother, is helpless; the strong arm that drew his sword for the preservation of our National life, is palsied ; and his manly and commanding form that led his brave and patriotic comrades into bat- tle, now rests in the silent tomb beneath the clods of the valley.
* * * But his memory survives, and we shall hold in grateful re- membrance his many virtues, and strive to emulate his example."
Colonel Harvey died at his home in Wilkesbarré August 20, 1872, after a long and tedious illness, the result of over- work and nervous prostration. Some men wear out as ships do; others sink from being over-burdened, as some vessels are overloaded; but the great majority of us rush to death as fast steamers occasionally do, and go down sud- denly and unexpectedly. Colonel Harvey was an illustra- tion of the latter fate. He was a hard worker-always busy at something, and never, during the last few years of his life (when he was engaged in various duties and enterprises), taking any vacation.
He was buried in the Hollenback Cemetery, Wilkesbarré, August 23d, with military and Masonic honors ; the Sir Knights of Cœur de Lion (Scranton) and Dieu le Veut (Wilkesbarré) Commanderies attending the funeral in full uniform, and making the first public Templar demonstration ever made in Wilkesbarré.
A meeting of the Bar of Luzerne county was held at the Court House on the morning of August 23d, Hon. G. M. Harding presiding, and the following resolutions were adopted :
WHEREAS, Another of our members has been taken from our midst, whose presence was familiar in our halls of justice for twenty- five years past, and now his professional brethren are here met to express their sympathy for his bereaved family, and our own appre- ciation of the fraternal relation he has so long held to us ;-
Resolved, That we bow to the dispensations of Him who cannot err, and accept the calling away of our legal brother as another evidence
328
of the fleetness of life and certainty of death. One by one, like au- tumn leaves, we fall.
Resolved, That there is much in the record of our deceased brother and friend attracting our admiration and securing our lasting rever- ence. He was faithful to his clients, and wrought in their behalf with all his heart and power.
Resolved, That we recognize in the career of our Brother Harvey the certainty of the principle that industry, sobriety and perseverance in our profession are ever rewarded with success.
Resolved, That we tender the bereaved parent and family of the deceased the assurance of our earnest condolence.
Resolved, That we will attend his funeral in a body and wear the :
badge of mourning the accustomed time.
Resolved, That these proceedings be published in the county papers.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be filed amid the entries of court, and, also, that a copy be furnished the family of the de- . ceased.
Addresses were made by Judge G. M. Harding, Judge E. L. Dana, Hon. L. D. Shoemaker, Hon. C. E. Wright, Hon. Chas. L. Lamberton, and others, all of whom had intimately known Colonel Harvey from early manhood.
Hon. C. E. Wright said, among other things: "For my own part, Mr. Chairman, I confess it is with exceeding reluctance, and much feeling, I meet this dispensation of Divine Providence. For many years past my intercourse with our Brother Harvey had been the most agreeable and pleasant. He was a good and true friend. I find it hard to realize that the bond of a long friendship is broken. Our fathers had been friends before us, as together they had commenced the career of life, a few miles below, on the banks of the Susquehanna. It is pleasant now to contem- plate the fact that the harmony of social accord passed from them to the succeeding generation. It is with deep feeling, sir, I join your ranks to follow this man to his place of rest.
"It is truth, and no disparagement, to say that our brother was a peculiar man. Those who knew him most intimately are most competent to judge him. Under an
329
external manner, that might strike the stranger unfavorably, he concealed a kind and generous heart. An appeal to his charitable feelings was never in vain. But he had a strange way of covering up his alms-giving. In fact, he ever pre- sented the wrong side of his true character."
Mr. Lamberton said: "Another brother of the profession has been taken away, and we are called together to pay this last tribute to his worth. For it is true that after the asperities of life are over, and they are soon forgotten, the substratum of virtue and goodness inherent in our fellow- man appears upon the surface. Especially is it so with the profession We have our rivalries and earnest struggles for fame, and everyday subsistence; but we are too much through life engaged in adjusting the quarrels of others, ever to give significance to our own.
Admitted but recently to this Bar, it was my misfortune at first to be thrown amongst those who caused me to be- come somewhat prejudiced against our deceased brother ; but as time and associations ripened our acquaintance, gradually, one by one, those prejudices disappeared, until at last I formed a high regard for his good qualities as a citi- zen, a lawyer, and a neighbor.
Colonel Harvey, to my judgment, was a man of strong mind, and if he had possessed more constancy of purpose- I might, perhaps, better say more direction of purpose-he would have carved his name high in the niche which the world is pleased to call fame. Our lives are too short to excel in each of many diverse avocations. Had Colonel Harvey devoted himself to the duties of a soldier, magis- trate, lawyer, or of general business, he would have been a marked success. If he had pursued alone the criminal branch of our profession, the remarkable faculty he pos- sessed of following the intricate and devious ways of crime, would have made him the most eminent criminal lawyer of our county, if not of the State."
330
Colonel Harvey was twice married. His first wife, whom he married October 8th, 1845, was Phebe Maria Frisbie, only daughter of Chauncey and Chloe (Howard) Frisbie, of Orwell, Bradford county, Penn'a. Mr. Frisbie was a native of Hartford county, Conn., but for sixty-four years-until his death in May, 1864-he was a resident of Orwell. He was for several years postmaster of the village; was treas- urer of Bradford county for one term, and during all of the years of his maturity was active and energetic in every matter which concerned or interested him. It is hardly necessary to add that he was respected and honored by his friends and neighbors.
Phebe M. (Frisbie) Harvey died at Wilkesbarré, June 7th, 1849, in the twenty-eighth year of her age, being survived by her husband and one child-OLIN FRISBIE HARVEY- born at Kingston, Luzerne county, Penn'a, September 28th, 1846. He received his early education in the public schools of Wilkesbarré, the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and from 1863 to 1865 in the school conducted by his father in Wilkesbarré.
In 1865 he entered the New Haven (Conn.) College of Business and Finance, where he pursued the usual course of commercial studies. Returning to Wilkesbarré he be- came an assistant teacher in his father's school. In Sep- tember, 1867, he entered Lafayette College, Easton, Penn'a, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of A. B. in June, 1871. In the autumn of 1871 he entered the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, as a student in the Medical Department, and was graduated in March, 1873, with the degree of M. D. In 1874 he received the degree of A. M. from Lafayette College.
Since May, 1873, Doctor Harvey has practiced his profes- sion in Wilkebarré, and since 1874 has been one of the attend- ing physicians at the Wilkesbarré City Hospital. He is also a lecturer in the Nurses' Training School attached to
331
the hospital. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society ; of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania; of the American Medical Association; a Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine; a Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association; and, since 1890, has been an active Trustee of the State Hospi- tal for the Insane, at Danville, Penn'a. He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and President of the La- fayette Alumni Association of North-eastern Pennsylvania.
From June, 1876, to June, 1882, he was-except for three months in 1879-a member of the School Board of the old Third District of Wilkesbarré; being treasurer of the board one year, president one year, and secretary two years. From January, 1876, to January, 1880, he was attending physician at the Luzerne County Prison; and for eleven years from August, 1879, was Surgeon of the 9th Regi- ment, N. G. P., with the rank of Major. He was one of the charter members of E. B. Harvey Lodge No. 839, I. O. O. F., in 1873, and served as Noble Grand of the Lodge for one term.
Doctor Harvey was made a Free Mason in LODGE 61 August 17th, 1868. He was Junior Warden of the Lodge in 1873, Senior Warden in 1874, and Worshipful Master in 1875. The M. M. degree was conferred upon him in She- kinah R. A. Chapter No. 182, January 25th, 1876; the M. E. M. degree February 8th, and the R. A. degree February 22d, 1876. He was High Priest of the Chapter in 1880. He became a member of Mt. Horeb Council No. 34, R. S-E. and S. M. (Plymouth, Penn'a), March 20th, 1878, and in December, 1880, was elected T. I. Grand Master of the Council. The degrees of Templar Masonry were conferred upon him, and he was admitted to membership, in Dieu le Veut Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar, Wilkesbarré, in March, 1876. He was Recorder of the Commandery
332
from April, 1878, to May, 1881. May 29th, 1877, he re- ceived the degrees in, and became a member of, Lancaster (Penn'a) Lodge of Perfection, A. and A. Rite.
Doctor Harvey is married, and has one son and one daughter.
As his second wife E. B. Harvey married at Wilkesbarré, July 8th, 1850, Sarah Maria Garretson, a native of Lambert- ville, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and daughter of Stephen and Mary Ann (Urquhart) Garretson. She was a woman of much natural ability, of many attainments, of pleasing personality, and, above all, of noble, Christian char- acter. All who came in contact with her could not fail to recognize her personal virtues and worth, while those who knew her well became strongly attached to her and rendered her their sincerest affections. She survived her husband but three years and two days, dying in Wilkesbarré August 22d, 1875, within three days of her fifty-first birthday.
E. B. and Sarah M. (Garretson) Harvey had seven child- ren, five of whom-two sons and three daughters-have grown to maturity.
The eldest is OSCAR JEWELL HARVEY, born in Wilkesbarré September 2d, 1851. Prepared for college by his father, he was matriculated at Lafayette College shortly after his six- teenth birthday. He was graduated with the degree of A. B. in June, 1871, and three years later received his A. M. degree.
In 1872-3 he was Professor of Mathematics and Higher English in the Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston. He was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne county May 16th, 1876. He was the first captain of the Wilkesbarré Fencibles, or- ganized November 28th, 1878, which was the nucleus of the 9th Regiment, N. G. P., and became Company "B" of the organization. October 17th, 1879, Captain Harvey was promoted to the office of regimental Commissary, which he
333
held until July, 1881, when he was honorably discharged from the service.
He was one of the charter members of E. B. Harvey Lodge No. 839, I. O. O. F. (hereinbefore referred to), and held the office of Noble Grand two terms.
He was made a Free Mason in LODGE 61 May 25th, 1873, was Junior Warden in 1877, Senior Warden in 1878, and Worshipful Master in 1879.
He was "Marked" in Shekinah Chapter March 20th, received the M. E. M. degree March 27th, and was exalted to the R. A. degree April 3d, 1877.
He received the various degrees of Templar Masonry, and was admitted to membership, in Dieu le Veut Com- mandery in April, 1877. He served as Prelate of the Commandery during two or three years. May 29th, 1877, he became a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. and A. Rite; and March 20th, 1878, was created a R. S-E. and S. Master Mason in Mt. Horeb Council No. 34.
He was married June 23d, 1880, and has two sons and two daughters.
GILBERT ALEXANDER HARVEY, born in Wilkesbarré January 9th, 1869, is the youngest son of E. B. Harvey. He pursued a classical course at Lafayette College in the class of 1891, and then took a course in electrical engineer- ing at Lynn, Mass. He is now connected with the General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y., as an electrical engineer.
HON. HENRY MARTYN HOYT, LL. D.
" We sing our NAME, but not to claim Priority of others ; For they and we are from one tree, And all mankind are brothers. Nor does it claim to rhyme with Fame, Yet 'tis with honor blended, For H and O, in HOYT, you know, From HONOR are descended.
An honest name, that in the game Of war is not a traitor ; Nor do you see H-O-Y-T Spell 'shoddy speculator'; Nor lend its aid to 'tricks of trade', Nor 'swindling corporation', Nor to applaud a 'pious fraud', Or stain a reputation."
From "Our Family Name," by REV. RALPH HOYT.
Simon Hoyt, the first of the name in this country, came from England to Salem, Mass., in September, 1628, with Governor Endicott, and was one of the founders of seven different towns. He was of the party who traveled through the woods to explore and settle Charlestown. In 1636 he was among the founders of Windsor, Conn., and a deacon of the Rev. Thomas Hooker's church.
Daniel Hoyt, sixth in descent from Simon Hoyt, was born in Danbury, Fairfield county, Conn., May 2d, 1756. He came from Danbury with his wife, Anne (Gunn), and seven children and settled in Kingston, Luzerne county, Penn'a, in 1794. In the latter years of his life he was known throughout the Wyoming Valley as "Deacon" Hoyt, having been a deacon in the first Presbyterian con- gregation, organized in Kingston in 1819. He died in Kingston in 1824.
HON. HENRY M. HOYT, LL. D. After a photograph by GUTEKUNST, Philadelphia.
335
Ziba Hoyt, the sixth child of Daniel, was born Septem- ber 8th, 1788, at Danbury, and accompanied his father to Wyoming. At the opening of the War of 1812, Ziba Hoyt was Second Lieutenant of the Wyoming Volunteer Matross, an artillery company which had been organized in Kings- ton township in April, 1810, under the captaincy of Henry Buckingham. The services of the Matross being offered to the government they were promptly accepted, and the company left Kingston April 13th, 1813, thirty-one strong, and embarked on a raft (which was being floated to market) on the Susquehanna river, at the mouth of Shupp's creek. They debarked at Danville, Penn'a, whence they marched by way of Lewistown and Bedford, through Fay- ette county, recruiting as they went, and on May 5th ar- rived at Erie, Penn'a, ninety-five strong. The company was attached to Col. R. Hill's regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, and soon afterwards Ziba Hoyt was promoted to the First Lieutenancy of the company. In the cannonading at Presque Isle Harbor the company did effective service. In the battle of the Thames the "Matross"-in the ab- sence of Captain Thomas * who was in command of the guard at Detroit-was commanded by Lieutenant Hoyt, and the members of the company acquitted themselves
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.