grave import

Obituary

In the death of George Harvey, Burlington has lost one of her most interesting and picturesque characters. He was a portrait painter, an artist of real ability, and he was a man whose quaint personality will long be remembered by those who knew him. He died at his home, 1600 South Central avenue yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, following an illness of five weeks. He was past 68 years old. Born at Thornville, O., June 25, 1835, Mr. Harvey came to Burlington with his parents at the age of 14. His father, Dr. Philip F. Harvey, was a physician of considerable eminence and coming here at the time cholera was rampant in this locality, he was largely responsible for checking the spread of the pestilence in Burlington. George Harvey started the study of medicine while his father was in charge of the medical school in Keokuk and continued as a hospital steward at Fort Omaha. His talents, however, were inclined along the line of art and he forsook medicine to follow them. With his uncle, Sir George Harvey, as his teacher, his skill was developed. His ability went beyond portrait work, altho that was his principal forte. His fruit pictures were perhaps second in merit. Mr. Harvey had studios at different times at St. Joseph and St. Louis, mo., and Chicago, altho the greater part of his time was spent in Burlington. Mr. Harvey married Miss Rachel Richie in Omaha, April 4, 1864, and she, with four children, survive. They are: Mrs. Cyrus Schenck of Burlington, Mrs. Frank P. Witmore of Chicago, Dr. John Philip Harvey of Peoria and George Harvey of Philadelphia.