Thomas W. Harvey
(1821–1892)
Massillon’s second school superintendent, Thomas Harvey, served from 1851 to 1865. Years later, West Main Street School was renamed in Harvey’s honor.
During his time in Massillon, Harvey started writing English grammar books, which were frequently used in the classroom to accompany the universal McGuffey Reader. Harvey also authored a series of reading and geography books.
Thomas Harvey was president of the Ohio Teachers Association and in 1871 he was an Ohio Commissioner of Schools.
President Rutherford B. Hayes said, “No man better served his generation in the great field of education than Thomas W. Harvey.”