Born on a farm near Mount Summit, Indiana, Harvey attended the public schools.

Additionally, he served as county councilman from 1932 to 1942 and as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1942 to 1947.

Harvey was elected as a Republican to the Eightieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Raymond S. Springer.

Harvey was elected as a Republican to the Eighty-seventh and to the two succeeding Congresses and served until his resignation on December 30, 1966 (January 3, 1961-December 30, 1966).

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress