Wilson Godfrey Harvey
Encyclopedia
Wilson Godfrey Harvey was the 94th Governor
of South Carolina
from May 20, 1922, to January 16, 1923.
Born in Charleston
, Harvey attended Charleston High School before dropping out at the age of 16 to work as a clerk in the office of The News and Courier
. Five years later he became the manager of another Charleston newspaper, the World and Budget. Showing a penchant for business, Harvey was also involved with the management of Bradstreet Company and the organization of the Enterprise Bank of Charleston. From 1903 to 1911, Harvey served on the Charleston Board of Aldermen and became the Mayor Pro Tempore of Charleston in 1910.
Harvey was elected in 1920 to be the Lieutenant Governor
of South Carolina and was elevated to the governorship in 1922 upon the resignation of Governor Robert Archer Cooper
. He continued the progressive reforms initiated by former governors Copper and Richard Irvine Manning III
by instigating higher standards in education and by favoring the use of concrete
for road construction.
After finishing the term as governor in 1923, Harvey returned to the private sector where he managed a number of insurance companies. He died in Tampa, Florida
, on October 7, 1932.
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
from May 20, 1922, to January 16, 1923.
Born in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, Harvey attended Charleston High School before dropping out at the age of 16 to work as a clerk in the office of The News and Courier
The Post and Courier
Charleston's The Post and Courier is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the South and the eighth oldest newspaper still in publication in the United States. It is published in Charleston, South Carolina. It traces its ancestry to three newspapers, the Charleston Courier, founded in 1803, the...
. Five years later he became the manager of another Charleston newspaper, the World and Budget. Showing a penchant for business, Harvey was also involved with the management of Bradstreet Company and the organization of the Enterprise Bank of Charleston. From 1903 to 1911, Harvey served on the Charleston Board of Aldermen and became the Mayor Pro Tempore of Charleston in 1910.
Harvey was elected in 1920 to be the Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of South Carolina and was elevated to the governorship in 1922 upon the resignation of Governor Robert Archer Cooper
Robert Archer Cooper
Robert Archer Cooper was the 93rd Governor of South Carolina from January 21, 1919 to May 20, 1922.Born in Waterloo Township, Laurens County, Cooper graduated with a law degree from Polytechnic Institute in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He was admitted to the bar in 1898 and practiced law in Laurens...
. He continued the progressive reforms initiated by former governors Copper and Richard Irvine Manning III
Richard Irvine Manning III
Richard Irvine Manning III was a politician from the U.S. state of South Carolina. He served as a state legislator and as the 92nd Governor of South Carolina.-Early life and career:...
by instigating higher standards in education and by favoring the use of concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
for road construction.
After finishing the term as governor in 1923, Harvey returned to the private sector where he managed a number of insurance companies. He died in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, on October 7, 1932.