SOURCE:1884 History of Owen County, p. 900.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Gosport and Wayne Township.

HARVEY STEELE (deceased), native of Bourbon County, Ky., 
eldest son of Samuel and Polly (Donovan) Steele, of 
North Carolina and Kentucky respectively, was born 
December 12, 1826, and died October 1, 1880. His parents 
came to Indiana in the year 1828, and settled in Owen 
County, where they spent the remainder of their days. 
February 8, 1848, subject was married to Maria McCormick, 
who bore him three children -- Margaret S. (now wife of 
Henry Haltom), Mary A. and William F. Mr. Steele was 
reared upon a farm, and at the neighborhood schools of 
Owen County received a fair English education. From 1851 
to 1875, he resided in Montgomery Township, removing 
thence to Mundy's Station, in Washington Township, where 
he afterward lived and died. His death was caused by a 
tumor on the head, and the following sad and touching 
tribute, published in the Owen County People, bears 
ample testimony of the character of the man: " `God's 
Acre' has gathered to its tranquil bosom another dear, 
idolized friend. Time has again broken the chain, and 
gently unfastened another link. It is thus with sorrow 
we see life constantly shortened, and dear loved ones 
hurried to the silent tomb. The departure of friends 
follows each other in almost as rapid succession as the 
leaves fall. Today the sunshine rests lovingly upon his 
narrow home. The birds sing a requiem; the winds sigh 
among the trees gently, soothingly; and a voice seems 
to whisper sweet words of consolation to sorrowing 
hearts, knowing so well the lovely character of our dear 
friend. We feel that he is only sleeping, and that he 
will one day awaken from that slumber to glorious 
resurrection. The lamp of his life was kept trimmed and 
burning, for he knew not when his soul would be required 
of him. He drew around him a very large circle of friends, 
among whom was the writer of this humble tribute. 
He was always ready to proffer the hand of affection, 
and never that of oppression, and he will linger like a 
vision of light on the golden leaf of our memory. His 
door was ever open to the poor and needy, to whose wants 
he ever kindly administered. Deceased left his family a 
handsome patrimony, all of which had been acquired by 
his own industry. He was a consistent member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the 
Masonic order, by the rites of which organization he 
was buried.

DATA ENTRY: Glorianne Fahs