Harvey, Henry

Henry Harvey, born around 1820 in Kentucky, was an ornamental painter in Ironton and Springfield, OH, he was one of the early African American artist in Ohio. He was the husband of Rebecca Dolby Harvey (born around 1827). The couple was probably free (not slaves) and are listed in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census as Mulattoes. There is also a Peter Harvey listed with the family and he too was a painter and was born in Kentucky. Henry and Rebecca's oldest daughter, Julia, was born in Virginia around 1843. A second child, Norris G. Harvey, was born around 1845 in Michigan. The family was also living in Michigan when their son George V. Harvey was born around 1852 [sources: 1850 Federal Census; and George Harvey in the Cook County, Illinois, Deaths Index - Ancestry]. George Harvey was also a painter; he died in Chicago, IL, and was buried in Springfield, OH. A daughter, Jennie Harvey was born around 1853 in Virginia, according to the 1860 U.S. Census. Her father, Henry, is listed as an ornamental painter in the 1860 Census when the family is listed as living in Ironton, OH. The family was living in Springfield, OH in 1870, according to the census record, and Henry and his son Norris are listed as painters. Henry and Rebecca are also listed in the 1880 Census, and their son George lives next to them with his family and he too is a painter. Henry Harvey, painter, is last listed in the Springfield, Ohio city directory, 1890, 1891 [source: Ancestry]. Henry Harvey died March 29, 1891 and is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, OH [source: Find A Grave]. For more see the Henry Harvey entry in Artists in Ohio, 1787-1900 by M. S. Haverstock et. al.