Source:  Goodspeed’s History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman, and Lewis Counties Tennessee, published 1886

Dr. Robert H. Harvey, an influential citizen of Lawrence County, Tenn., was born in Williamson County, of the same State, August 31, 1841, and is a son of John W. and Mildred (Bailey) Harvey, both native Virginians. The subject’s grandfather, Isom Harvey, came to Williamson County, Tenn., about 1830, and resided there until his death. John W. was born February 15, 1811, and came to Williamson County, after his marriage to 1836, where he has since resided, following farming and stock raising successfully. He has been magistrate in the county for a number of years. Our subject was reared on a farm and secured but a limited education in his youthful days. He was attending school when the war broke out, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Twentieth Regiment Tennessee Confederate Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being early promoted to the staff of Gen. Zollicoffer, where he remained until the death of the General. He then served on the staff of John C. Breckinridge, Gen. (now Gov.) Bates, and finally with Thomas Benton smith as staff officer, ranking at close as first lieutenant of artillery. In November, 1865, he came to Lawrenceburg, and engaged in the drug business, and also begun the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of the University of Nashville (now Vanderbilt) with the degrees of M.D. in 1868. He then practiced in Wayne County eighteen months, after which he returned to Lawrenceburg, where he has since resided, and engaged actively in the practice of his profession until 1880, since which time he has given his entire time to selling lands in the county, controlling about 10,000 acres in this county. He has also given some attention to cotton manufacturing, having an interest in the Crescent Cotton mills of this county. August 5, 1869, the Doctor married Matty J. Bentley, a native of this county. Two children, Robert B. and Mildred M., were born to this union. The Doctor is a democrat in politics, a Mason, and a member of the Baptist Church; Mrs. Harvey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Harvey is one of the few successful business men of our county. He has always taken an active interest in all laudable public enterprises, and has contributed largely to the interest and welfare of the county.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K8NB-M71

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This biographical sketch was transcribed by Reita Jones Burress and posted on-line by Jane N. Powell on September 10, 1998, with the following caveat:

Not having a hard copy to proof read, errors will probably occur in the following document. Reita and I will correct them to the original Goodspeed from time to time. Thank you for your patience.

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