George U. Harvey

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George U. Harvey
7th
James A. Burke
Personal details
Born(1881-08-15)August 15, 1881
U.S.
Political partyRepublican

George U. Harvey (August 15, 1881 – April 6, 1946) was a Republican politician from Queens, New York City and served as its borough president for twelve years.

Biography

Harvey was born in County Galway, Ireland but emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old.[1] His father was wealthy[2] and published a trade magazine, International Trade Confectioner.[1] After studying at Coleraine College in Ireland,[2] Harvey returned to the United States to work as a photojournalist for the journals of the Army and Navy, and then as publisher of his father's journal.[1]

Harvey was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army on May 12, 1917.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918.[1]

Following the war, Harvey returned to Queens and began his political career. In 1921 he was elected as a Republican to the Queens County Board of Aldermen and served there for four terms.

In 1928, Harvey demanded an investigation into allegations of graft made against borough president Maurice E. Connolly, an ally of Tammany Hall. Connolly was forced to resign as a result of the investigation, and after the brief interim appointment of Bernard M. Patten, Harvey won election to the office of borough president later that year. Harvey was the first Republican to hold the office.[2]

Harvey oversaw many infrastructure improvements during his tenure, and played a critical role in bringing the

Flushing Meadows. He won three terms in office and twice considered running for Governor of New York.[1]

Harvey lost to Democrat

Whitestone is named after him.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "George U. Harvey Playground". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. October 1, 1997. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "A Look at the Political Past: Queens Borough Presidents from Frederick Bowley (1898) to Pat Clancy (1962)" (PDF). Central Queens Historical Association. May 2, 1996. Retrieved October 28, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "2,000 Men Added to Reserve Corps". The New York Times. May 20, 1917. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
Political offices
Preceded by Borough President of
Queens

1929–1941
Succeeded by
James A. Burke