Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Jabez HARVEY, merchant, Sec. 9; P. O. Wilton Center, Republican. Owns thirteen acres in village 
of Wilton Center. Was born Jan. 20, 1831, in Canada East; came with his parents to Tazewell Co., 
IL, in 1837, and to New Lenox in 1838, and then to where Wilton Center now is in 1841; was raised 
a farmer. Married Sarah Jane WELIVER Dec. 6, 1853; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, in 1832; 
Mr. H. went to California by land in 1850; remained there three years; in March, 1858, engaged 
in the mercantile business in this place, and has continued it ever since; in 1864, Mr. H. made 
a trip to the headwaters of the Missouri River, where he spent the summer, returning home by the 
way of Salt Lake and the plains, the same year. Was elected a member of the State Legislature in 
1872, and served two sessions.    Mr. H. has four children - Everett, Ettie, Judd and Jay C.; Judd 
accompanied his father to Springfield, and acted in the capacity of page during the second session.
Mr. H. was elected Justice of the Peace in Wilton Twp. in 1858, and has held that office continuously 
nearly ever since; held the office of Township Treasurer fourteen years, which office he still holds; 
was appointed Postmaster in 1875, at the time the office was established, and has held that office 
ever since.