Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Thomas W. Harvey

This biographical obituary is taken from The Geneva Times
and transcribed and submitted by Carol Pfile

Geneva Times, January 27, 1892
Geneva, Ashtabula County, OH

Hon. Thomas W. Harvey - Obituary

On Wednesday last we received a telegram announcing the death of Hon. Thomas W. Harvey at his home in Painesville. The news was quite unexpected and it will be received with sadness throughout Ohio and by educators throughout the Nation.

Prof. Harvey was born in New Hampshire Dec. 18, 1821. When a young man he came to Ohio, where has devoted all his life to the cause of popular education. Besides his long and successful career as superintendent and teacher, he filled the office of State School Commissioner very acceptably, and was frequently honored by the State and National educational organizations. He is also distinguished for his many contributions to educational literature and for his text books. His long and successful experience in the classroom fitted him admirably to prepare a series of text books, which would meet with popular favor. Among the titles of his books are "Practice of Grammar," "Elementary Grammar," "First Lessons in Language," and a series of readers and spellers. He also assisted largely in the preparation of the Eclectic series of geographies.

He was also noted as an institute lecturer and to the last retained his vigor in that particular field. Only last year he was one of the instructors of the Christy School of this county. He was a profound scholar and a christian gentleman. He was greatly beloved by the younger members of the profession because he was always approachable, always ready to give kindly advice, always charitable in criticism and helpful by way of suggestion. In fact, Dr. Harvey was almost reverenced by the profession and his death will be felt as a personal loss by every teacher of the state.

The funeral was largely attended, Jan. 23. Rev. Armstrong, assisted by local pastors, officiating. Several prominent educators were in attendance and some of them acted as bearers. During the service, the business places of Painesville were closed and flags were placed at half mast.