Contents
Descriptive Summary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS
SELECTED SEARCH TERMS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
Series 1 Biographical
Series 2 Diaries
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Finding aid for Francis A. Harvey Diaries, 1928-1942, 1962-2001Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff2007
| | | | | Creator | Francis A. (Francis Adolphus) Harvey,
1905- | | Title | Francis A. Harvey Diaries | | Dates: | 1928-1942,
1962-2001 | | Abstract: | This collection contains 18 diaries/daybooks kept by Francis
A. Harvey, a birthright Quaker. Harvey lived in many parts of the United States as
part of his work for the S.S. Kresge Company. The diaries detail the lives and
travels of Francis Harvey and his Mennonite wife, Elsie Harvey. | | Extent: | 2 boxes ; 1 linear foot | | Identification: | RG5/246 | | Location: | For current information on the location of materials, please
consult the Library's online catalog. | | Location: | |
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. Return to the Table of Contents
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 chronologicallyReturn to the Table of Contents
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends
Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics,
persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings: Return to the Table of Contents
Series 1 Biographical
Box |
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| | 1 |
| Autobiographical essay, Francis and Elsie Harvey
ca. 1985 1 folder |
Series 2 Diaries
Box |
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| | 1 |
| Everyday life, working in store as salesman
1/1/29-12/31/32 1 vol. Brown, broken clasp
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| Everyday life taking place in Mass., Conn., NY, and MI
1/1/34-12/31/37 1 vol. Mile Stones, 5-year diary, green/brown
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| Everyday life in Bay City, MI, occasional and general mention of
WWII
1/1/39-12/31/41 1 vol. Five Year Diary, dark green with gold lettering
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| Everyday life
9/13/59-12/31/66 1 vol. Five Year Diary, red and black
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| Everyday life in PA
1/62-12/30/62 1 vol. Covered Bridges Date Book
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| Everyday life in PA
1/1/68-12/31/71 1 vol. Five Year Diary, gold with black text
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| Diary of trip to Japan, Hong Kong & S.E. Asia, Nairobi
& E. Africa
11/2/70-1/25/71 1 vol. Travels Abroad; much talk about church activities. lists several
denominational contacts.
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| Every day life in Lititz, PA
10/1985-?/1986 1 vol. Note Book, brown gold leaf w/teal trim
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| Every day life in Lititz, PA
1/1/72-12/31/76 1 vol. Five Year Diary, brown and black marble/ gold leaf
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| Trip to London/ surrounding area
9/6/73-9/20/73 1 vol. Travel Diary, blue and silver
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Box |
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| | 2 |
| Everyday life in Malvern PA
1/1/77-12/31/82 1 vol. Five Year Diary, blue w/gold leaf
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| Cruise from Rhode island to Palm Beach, FL
12/6/77-12/31/77 1 vol. Inland Waterway Trip.
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| Everyday life
1/1/82-12/31/84 1 vol. Picture of green girl.
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| Everyday life in Lititz, PA
Oct. 85-Oct. 86 1 vol. One Year Diary, green & gold leaf.
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| Everyday life
1987-1991 1 vol. Five Year Diary, red and gold leaf.
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| Everyday life
1/1/92-12/31/95 1 vol. Five Year Diary, maroon w/gold.
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| Harveys at the Landis Home in Lititz, PA
1/1/97-12/29/2000 1 vol. Five Year Diary, maroon w/gold.
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| Miscellaneous entries
9/26/02-6/4/03 1 vol. Travel Diary, fake wood w/gold leaf.
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