SENATE, 84th, 85th, and 86th General Assemblies, 1965-71, representing counties of Montgomery, Cheatham, and Robertson in 84th; representing counties of Cheatham, Houston, Montgomery, Robertson, and Stewart, in 85th and 86th; Democrat. Born at Centerville, Hickman County, Nov 28, 1893; son of Young Fletcher and Frances Maderia (Williams) Harvill. Attended ungraded elementary school; Fairview Academy, Centerville; received, 1927, BS degree from Middle Tennessee State Teachers College, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County; AM degree, 1939, from George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Davidson County. Married first to Catherine Evans, Apr 21, 1923, who died at date not indicated; two children – Bette Fortson and Fletcher Evans; second marriage at Clarksville, Montgomery County, Mar 31, 1955, to Mary Elizabeth (Runyan) Fortson, daughter of Chandler Preston and Blanche (Secrest) Runyan. Professional educator; principal of schools in Hickman County, 1911-16; principal Lascassas School, Rutherford County, 1920-27, and of Englewood School, 1927-29; instructor in history at Austin Peay State College, Clarksville, 1929-30; dean and registrar of college, 1930-46, except for period of military service; president of Austin Peay State College, 1946 to retirement in 1962; on Governor's cabinet as Commissioner of Education, 1938-39; in addition to other duties at Austin Peay, was athletic director of men, 1929-30; athletic director, 1933-34. Chairman of board of directors First Trust and Savings Bank of Clarksville. Chairman school [board?] of Montgomery County. In World War I; first inductee into Co. L., 325th Infantry, 82nd Division, at Camp Gordon, GA; promoted to Sgt.; sent overseas in spring of 1918 and was in trenches soon after reaching France; sent to officers school at Langres, France, July 1918; commissioned 2nd Lieut; assigned to 307th Infantry, 77th Division; took part in Meuse-Argonne offensive to Armistice on Nov 11, 1918; transferred to 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division, and sent to Germany with Army of Occupation; returned to US and honorably discharged June 21, 1919. In World War II; volunteered, commissioned 1st lieut., and called to active duty May 23, 1942; assigned to 725th Military Police Bn, Fort Jackson, SC; remaining eighteen months; promoted to Capt.; after short time in Atlanta, GA, transferred to Nashville to command military police there; transferred to Selective Service System in TN; honorably discharged from active duty July 1, 1946, with rank of Maj.; promoted later to Lieut. Col., reserve; presumably holds that rank in Retired Reserve. Member board of stewards, Methodist Episcopal Church and teacher of Men's Bible Class; member Civitan Club; Loyal Order of Moose; National, Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee Education Assns; member Tennessee College Assn, president 1954-55; member American Legion, one time commander of TN dept and member National Executive Committee; member Veterans of Foreign Wars; Kappa Delta Phi fraternity. Residence (1967) 136 North Meadow Circle, Clarksville. Son of Young Fletcher Harvill; brother of Grover Cleveland Harvill; sometime members TN General Assembly.

Sources: Information supplied by self, Dec 30, 1964; Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1963-1964, p 365; files TN Legislative Council; Cattell and Ross, Leaders in Education, 463.
 

Biographies submitted by Jill Hastings-Johnson, Montgomery County Archivist