George U. Harvey | |
|---|---|
| 7thBorough President ofQueens | |
| In office January 1, 1929 – December 31, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Bernard M. Patten |
| Succeeded by | James A. Burke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1881-08-15)August 15, 1881 County Galway,Ireland |
| Died | April 6, 1946(1946-04-06) (aged 64) New Milford,Connecticut,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
George U. Harvey (August 15, 1881 – April 6, 1946) was aRepublican politician fromQueens,New York City and served as itsborough president for twelve years.
Harvey was born inCounty 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 atrade magazine,International Trade Confectioner.[1] After studying atColeraine 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.[3] He served in the first World War, commanding Company A, 308th Infantry, 77th Division. He was honored with theDistinguished Service Cross for the capture of a machine gun nest during theMeuse-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 ofgraft made against borough presidentMaurice E. Connolly, an ally ofTammany Hall. Connolly was forced to resign as a result of the investigation, and after the brief interim appointment ofBernard 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 the1939 Worlds Fair toFlushing Meadows. He won three terms in office and twice considered running forGovernor of New York.[1]
Harvey lost to DemocratJames A. Burke in 1941. He died while fighting a fire near his home inNew Milford, Connecticut in 1946.Harvey Park inWhitestone is named after him.[1]
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Borough President ofQueens 1929–1941 | Succeeded by |
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