M. Harvey Taylor

Maris Harvey Taylor (June 4, 1876 – May 16, 1982), also known as M. Harvey Taylor or Harvey Taylor, was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 15th district from 1941 to 1964[4] including as President pro tempore from 1945 to 1964.[5] He was a political boss who held multiple political positions in Dauphin County and statewide.

This article is about the Pennsylvania political official. For the educator, see Harvey L. Taylor.
Harvey Taylor
President pro tempore
of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office
January 1, 1963 – November 30, 1964
Preceded byAnthony J. DiSilvestro
Succeeded byJames Berger
In office
March 17, 1947[1] – January 3, 1961
Preceded byWeldon Brinton Heyburn
Succeeded byAnthony J. DiSilvestro
In office
January 2, 1947 – January 7, 1947
Preceded byCharles H. Ealy
Succeeded byWeldon Brinton Heyburn
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Acting[a]
In office
January 2, 1947 – January 7, 1947
GovernorJohn Bell
Preceded byJohn Bell
Succeeded byWeldon Heyburn[a]
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 15th district
In office
January 7, 1941 – November 30, 1964
Preceded byGeorge Kunkel
Succeeded byWilliam Lentz
Chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
In office
June 9, 1934[2] – June 30, 1937
Preceded byEdward Martin
Succeeded byG. Edward Green
Personal details
Born
Maris Harvey Taylor

(1876-06-04)June 4, 1876
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 1982(1982-05-16) (aged 105)
Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
OccupationInsurance agent[3]
Businessman
Politician
a.^ By virtue of their positions as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Taylor (from January 3 through January 7) and Heyburn (from January 7 through January 21) served as Acting Lieutenant Governor for the duration of Bell's governorship.

Early life

Taylor was born in the Shipoke neighborhood of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Maurice and Kate Taylor. He dropped out of school in 1888 to work as a laborer with his father at Central Iron Works (later Central Iron & Steel Company), where he worked for 24 years.[6] He was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics ball club but instead stayed in Harrisburg to play pro baseball due to his promotion at the steel mill.[7] He later was involved in the insurance business and owned a cigar store.[5]

Career

Taylor served on the Harrisburg School Board and on the Harrisburg City Council in 1907. He became involved with Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party which cost him reelection to the city council in 1915. He served as Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds in 1919 and Chief County Clerk in 1925. He rejoined the city council and served for three consecutive terms.[5]

In 1931, he took over control of the Dauphin County Republican Organization after the death of his mentor, Edward E. Beidelman.[8] Taylor became GOP state committee chair in 1934. He left the position in 1936 for a failed run as the Commonwealth's secretary for internal affairs. He returned to the position of GOP state committee chair and served for 16 years.

He served as Pennsylvania State Senator for the 15th district from 1941 to 1964 including as President Pro Tempore from 1945 to 1964. His major legislative achievements include construction of the M. Harvey Taylor Memorial Bridge, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, the State Archives and Museum, the development of Fort Indiantown Gap, the present Governor's mansion and the Zembo Mosque in 1929.[5]

For 33 years, he was the undisputed political boss of Dauphin County. He was involved in the selection of every Republican gubernatorial candidate from 1933 to 1964. He personally selected committee chairmen, scheduled legislation and ran patronage. He redirected $30 million over his 16 years as President Pro Tempore to Dauphin County. He supported favored interests including the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Sun Oil Company.[6]

Personal life

In 1897, he married Bertha May Shertzer.[5] He died on May 16, 1982, at the age of 105 and is interred at Paxtang Cemetery in Paxtang, Pennsylvania.[8]

In 1932, Taylor served as Illustrious Potentate of Zembo Shriners, an affiliate of Shriners International.[9]

Legacy

The M. Harvey Taylor Memorial Bridge which spans the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was named in his honor.[10]

References
  1. Sharon Trostle, ed. (2009). The Pennsylvania Manual (PDF). Vol. 119. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. ISBN 978-0-8182-0334-3.
  2. Townley, John B. (June 8, 1934). "Martin Gives Up Chairman Post, Recommends Taylor". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  3. "Manuscript Group 397". M. Harvey Taylor Papers. The Pennsylvania State Archives. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  4. Cox, Harold. "Senate Members T". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  5. "Pennsylvania Senate - Maris Harvey Taylor Biography". legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  6. Beers, Paul B. (1980). Pennsylvania Politics Today and Yesterday: The Terrible Accommodation. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press. pp. 168–172. ISBN 0-271-00238-7. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  7. "What's In A Name? Who was M. Harvey Taylor? – Harrisburg Magazine". Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  8. "M. Harvey Taylor, GOP Leader". The New York Times. May 16, 1982. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  9. "Zembo Shrine Past Potentates". Zembo Shriners. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  10. Gnoza, Al (October 16, 2018). "Gnoza Knows It - The Harvey Taylor Bridge". local21news.com. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
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