Biographical Notes |
Note: "Norman was born at Crystal Brook, South Australia on 6 June 1881. The family left South Australia and travelled to Barton, Western Australia, by bullock wagons and settled on a farm three miles east of Barton. Norman purchased the land next door and called his farm Glenbar.
He was a gentle person who loved to play his autoharp and have his family sing with him. He had a beautiful baritone voice.
Norman Harvey fell in love with Rosa Davis whose mother ran a small hotel near Barton. He and Rosa and her sister Dross and Clement Harrington Glover Wood had a double wedding in the Barton Hall on 28 April 1910, followed by a reception at the hotel.
Seven chldren were born to Rosa and Norman during the fourteen years of their happy marriage. Sadly, Rosa died in 1924, aged 46, leaving Norman with seven young children.
Norman tried to be a good father and mother to his children, but for a while he required assistance, as baby Rowena was not quite six months old. Vera, the eldest at 13 years, and baby Rowena were cared for by Uncle Clem Wood and Aunty Dross in Bunbury, Western Australia.
Harold and Patricia went to Uncle George David and Auntie Rose in Gnowangerup.
Joan and Cedric stayed with Uncle Arthur Harvey and Aunty Lil of Brookton, and Frank stayed with his father. Frank was the first to go to boarding school in 1925.
Norman did his best for his children in good and bad times (the depression). He wanted them to be like their mother and told them about her. In 925 the farm at Barton (now Piesseville) was sold and one purchased at Newdegate. Norman's son Frank continued on with that property.
Norman was one of the original members of the Wagin Farmers Cooperative. A keen sportsman and cricketer, Norman also liked rifle shooting and was made an honorary member of Broomehill Rifle range, where he collapsed and died, after having his shot in 1956, at the age of 76 years.
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