Finding aid for Francis A. Harvey Diaries, 1928-1942, 1962-2001
General International Standard for Archival Description
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by FHL Staff, 2007
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Francis A. Harvey Diaries 1928-1942, 1962-2001
Francis A. (Francis Adolphus) Harvey, 1905-
Biographical History for: Francis A. Harvey Diaries 1928-1942, 1962-2001
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE Francis A. Harvey was born March 10, 1905 in Wichita, Kansas. A birthright Quaker, he was the son of Adolphus E. and Lydia Rachel (also known as Lyra) Tregelles. His mother died when he was sixteen days old, and his father later married Eva Barnard. The family moved to Texas. Francis attended Westtown School and then Pennsylvania State College where he earned a degree in agricultural economics. While a student at Westtown, he met Elsie Brackbill, a Mennonite, while working at a farm that her brother managed. After their marriage on June 20, 1928, Francis was employed by the S.S. Kresge Co. (now K-mart) for 41 years, a job which required many moves for the family. Francis and Elsie had three children, Doris, Ann and Bruce, and raised the twin sons, Ken and Ray Milhous, of Francis's half-sister, Alice, who died in 1943. After retirement in 1969, they moved to Malvern, PA. Francis served three four-year terms on the Malvern Borough Council and ten years as a Republican committeeman. In 1980, the Harveys moved to the Landis Homes Retirement Community in Lititz, PA. There they organized the Resident Assistance Program to help residents at the Landis Home with the costs of assisted living and health care services. The fund was created in the in the memory of Francis' brother-in-law, Milton Brackbill. In 2005, Francis celebrated his 100th birthday; his wife Elsie turned 100 the previous October. In later years, they became American Baptists.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS Contains an autobiographical essay by Francis and Elsie Harvey and the diaries of Francis A. Harvey which detail his everyday life beginning in 1928 at the age of 23. Of interest are the travel diaries, particularly the trip to Japan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and Africa the winter of 1970-1971 which included visits to missionary friends. Organized in two series: Organization:BiographicalDiaries: Eighteen diaries, arranged chronologically
Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- 20th century
Quakers -- Travel -- 20th century
Quaker businesspeople
Diaries -- 20th century
series
Series 1 Biographical
Autobiographical essay, Francis and Elsie Harvey
Series 2 Diaries
Everyday life, working in store as salesman
Brown, broken clasp
Everyday life taking place in Mass., Conn., NY, and MI
Mile Stones, 5-year diary, green/brown
Everyday life in Bay City, MI, occasional and general mention of WWII
Five Year Diary, dark green with gold lettering
Everyday life
Five Year Diary, red and black
Everyday life in PA
Covered Bridges Date Book
Five Year Diary, gold with black text
Diary of trip to Japan, Hong Kong & S.E. Asia, Nairobi & E. Africa
Travels Abroad; much talk about church activities. lists several denominational contacts.
Every day life in Lititz, PA
Note Book, brown gold leaf w/teal trim
Five Year Diary, brown and black marble/ gold leaf
Trip to London/ surrounding area
Travel Diary, blue and silver
Everyday life in Malvern PA
Five Year Diary, blue w/gold leaf
Cruise from Rhode island to Palm Beach, FL
Inland Waterway Trip.
Picture of green girl.
Everyday life in Lititz, PA
One Year Diary, green & gold leaf.
Creation of Everyday life
Time of Creation of Everyday life
Five Year Diary, red and gold leaf.
Five Year Diary, maroon w/gold.
Harveys at the Landis Home in Lititz, PA
Miscellaneous entries
Travel Diary, fake wood w/gold leaf.