Ralph Harvey, Jr.
Ralph Harvey Jr. (1911-2008) was born to Ralph and Chloe (Blocker) Harvey as the eldest of four boys. The family moved from Seymour to Wichita Falls when Ralph Jr. was a baby in 1912. At first a small town, the arrival of the railroad caused the population of Wichita Falls to boom as it became a major transportation hub. Ralph Jr. graduated from Wichita Falls High School and then attended Washington and Lee University, later graduating from the University of Texas with a Bachelor's degree in cotton marketing in 1933. That same year he took over management of his father's business,Harvey Spot Cotton in Galveston, but drought and the Depression decimated the cotton industry. He returned to Wichita Falls and became a roughneck for the R&G Drilling Company. In 1937, Ralph and his brother Gene bought their own drilling rig and started the Harvey Drilling Company. That same year he married Juanita Legge (1915-2005) of Grandfield, Oklahoma. They were married 68 years and had two children.
During World War II, Ralph became active in the war effort by collecting scrap metal. He would serve as an administrative officer with the Army Air Corps before entering service as a second lieutenant and being discharged as a captain. After the war, Ralph became very involved with his community. He began ranching, completed flight training and used airplanes for his oil business, took leadership positions in various oil and gas organizations, and served on the Board of Regents of Midwestern University and the Board of Directors for First National Bank. One of his greatest contributions was as a historian, helping to establish the Museum of North Texas History, Wichita County Archives and the Fort Belknap Archives. His impact and influence continue to enrich the community. (2021)
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Located at 420 Indiana Street, 76301. 33-degrees, 54' 46" N, 98-degrees 29' 28"
During World War II, Ralph became active in the war effort by collecting scrap metal. He would serve as an administrative officer with the Army Air Corps before entering service as a second lieutenant and being discharged as a captain. After the war, Ralph became very involved with his community. He began ranching, completed flight training and used airplanes for his oil business, took leadership positions in various oil and gas organizations, and served on the Board of Regents of Midwestern University and the Board of Directors for First National Bank. One of his greatest contributions was as a historian, helping to establish the Museum of North Texas History, Wichita County Archives and the Fort Belknap Archives. His impact and influence continue to enrich the community. (2021)
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Located at 420 Indiana Street, 76301. 33-degrees, 54' 46" N, 98-degrees 29' 28"