Sacramento
County
Biographies
HARVEY
WILSON HARKNESS
The heroism displayed by the pioneer
physicians of California in attending the human wrecks incident to a new and
untried mining life where large numbers of the adventurous and hardy sons of
our country were prostrated by toil, exposure and disease, forms a bright page
in the history of our State. In early days the city of Sacramento was the Mecca
in which were gathered the destitute, disheartened and diseased miners. Among
the many physicians who exhibited a nobility of character and self-sacrifice
for suffering humanity Dr. Harkness is deserving the highest commendation.
He graduated from Pittsfield Medical
College in 1849, and reached California in September of that year. In the
autumn of 1850 he removed from Bidwell’s Bar to Sacramento and resumed the
practice of his profession. When the great scroll is unrolled the name of Dr. Harkness will appear in the brightest characters, for his
unselfish, gratuitous and unremitting devotion to the men and women who suffered
and died during that terrible ordeal. The professional labors of Dr. Harkness in Sacramento have made his name a household word
in that State, and there are men living to-day who cherish in their hearts the
highest regard for his professional devotion and skill as a physician. He was
the first Superintendent of Public Schools at Sacramento, and has always taken
a deep interest in educational matters.
Since his retirement from practice
he has traveled extensively in Europe and Africa as well as in his native land,
forming among scientists close relations and lasting friendship. In 1877 he was
elected a life member of the “British Association for the Advancement of
Science,” and also a member of the “Societe Mycologique de France,” “Socita Crittogamolgica Italiana” and
many other scientific societies. Dr. Harkness is
Vice-President of the California Academy of Sciences and one of its most active
members. His scientific labors have been chiefly directed to the study of Fungi, and as a notable representative
of his profession it was but a just tribute to appoint him one of the trustees
of the Leland Stanford, Junior, University.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”, Page 43, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.