Thomas H. Harvey

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Thomas H. Harvey (1844-1929) was a soldier,
 lawyer, prosecuting attorney, legislator,
 judge and business leader

Photo courtesy Special Collections, Marshall University Library.

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Thomas H. Harvey (1844-1929) was a soldier,
 lawyer, prosecuting attorney, legislator,
 judge and business leader.

Harvey was born at Buffalo in Putnam County in 1844. When the Civil War began,
 he enlisted as a Confederate soldier. As a sergeant, he fought in the second
 battle of Fort Donaldson. After three Confederate color bearers were
 shot down, he grabbed the Rebel flag and ran forward with it until
 he, too, fell wounded with an injury that left one of his arms
 useless for the rest of his life. Captured by union forces,
 he later was released and was able to make his return
 to his regiment. By the war’s end, he had
 gained the rank of major.

Returning home after the war, he earned a law degree from
 Washington College (now Washington & Lee University)
 and established a successful law practice. Elected
 prosecuting attorney in 1872, he proved a
 tough prosecutor, which paved the way
 for his election to the Legislature.

Moving to Huntington in 1874, he acquired considerable land
 in the city’s West End, an area that became known as
 Harveytown, and built his home there. In 1918 he
 directed that after his death the home be taken
 over by the city and used to house un-
fortunate children. Harvey served
 as circuit court judge from
 1888 until 1894.

As a shrewd businessman, he partnered with J.L. Caldwell
 and others in constructing a railroad from Huntington
 to Kenova. And with his brother, Harry C. Harvey,
 and others, he formed the American Bank &
 Trust Co. of Huntington.

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Note:  This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on Feb. 26, 2025.

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