My Genealogy Hound

Harvey I. Wilsey was born in Bedford County, Penn., April 1, 1830. His parents, William and Catherine (Landen) Wilsey, came west in 1836, and settled in Indiana. In the fall of 1839 they again moved west, and located at Fort Madison, Lee Co., Iowa. In 1846 they left there, moved to Farmington, Iowa, and after a short stop went to Waterloo, Clark Co., Mo. In the following year they went to St. Francisville, of the same county, where they remained until 1858, and then returned to Iowa. Here the father died July 20, 1860, and the mother followed him to the grave ten years later. Of their family of eight children— six boys and two girls—only three are now living: William J., Joseph W. and Harvey I. The last named, the subject of this sketch, learned his father’s trade—stone and brick mason—and passed twelve years of his life on the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers as pilot. February 15, 1855, he wedded Miss Mary J. Dart, a native of Indiana, born July 10, 1834. Her father was a native of Maryland. Nine children were the result of this marriage, viz.: Julia A. (Mrs. W. J. Wiyrick), John W., Arrildia (Mrs. J. H. Smith), Harvey L., General G., Gertrude, Orra, Granderson H. and Albert K., all now living. In 1860 Mr. Wilsey purchased a farm of 160 acres, situated three miles east of St. Francisville, on the Des Moines River. In 1872 he purchased a residence in St. Francisville, where he has resided ever since. Politically, in his boyhood days, he aspired, to be a Whig, but when he became a voter joined the Democratic, party, and has voted that ticket ever since. January 1, 1886, he engaged in the general merchandise business at St. Francisville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has also been a member of the Methodist Church for nearly twelve years.