James M. Harvey

Who was James M. Harvey?

James Madison Harvey was a United States Senator from Kansas and fifth Governor of Kansas.

Born near Salt Sulphur Springs, Virginia, Harvey attended common schools in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. He married Charlotte Richardson Carter and they had nine children.

Harvey became a civil engineer and headed west as a prospector to Pike's Peak in 1859 as a Fifty-Niner. After meeting several discouraged miners along the way, Harvey decided to settle instead in Kansas Territory, so he acquired a plot of land in Riley County near Fort Riley and engaged in agricultural pursuits. From 1861 to 1864, he served with the Union Army during the Civil War, advancing to the rank of captain in the 4th Kansas Infantry, which failed to complete organization and was consolidated with other recruits to form the 10th Kansas Infantry. He attained the rank of Captain, commanding the 14th Regiment, Kansas State Militia.

Harvey was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 1865–1866, and then elected to the Kansas Senate in 1867–1868. He was Governor of Kansas for two terms, serving from 1868 to 1872, and then elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander Caldwell, where he served from February 2, 1874, to March 3, 1877.