By request, Source: 1881 History of Grundy Co., Missouri William C. Harvey, p. 584-85 WILLIAM C. HARVEY William Cox Harvey was born in Henry County, Indiana, November 12, 1826, where he lived until lie was sixteen years of age. His father moved to Grundy County, Missouri, and he has since lived on the farm that his father located on. He was county assessor from 1848 to 1852; was next elected sheriff and collector in 1854, holding the office two terms, up to 1856; and from that time to 1858 was again assessor, and could have any office he wanted. He was an old line Whig, and ran against two Whig candidates; he would not go before the convention as a candidate because he had a good many democratic friends and so ran independent and beat them both, for sheriff. Mr. Harvey was a man of very little learning, and had to hire clerks to do his writing, as he could write only enough to sign his name; but he was a man of line perception, and knew if there was anything wrong about his books by hearing his clerks read them to him. Today he has no enemies that he is aware of, notwithstanding he has bought tax titles and dealt in real estate ever since he retired from office. He sold all the swamp land in the county while he was sheriff, and in all his dealings was never accused of wronging the county out of a cent; he ran for assessor and was elected under the old township law, holding the office about one year, was again elected by one hundred to six or seven votes; could command the suffrage of the county today for almost any office he would ask for. He has been identified with the Grand River College ever since it was started, and has held several offices in connection with It. and for anything that will improve the town and county in which he lives Mr. Harvey married Miss Elizabeth O. Peery in 1854. They have had six children, viz Absalom Evans, Eleanor, Stephen I., Sarah, Anna N. and Martha L. Absalom E., Eleanor and Sarah are dead. Mr. Harvey buys and sells real estate, is a large breeder of mules, and does a general farming and stock-raising business. He is a remarkable man, generous to a fault, and a good neighbor and citizen. To know him once is to know him always. He is always a friend to the poor and needy.