Introduction

Biography

Sydney was the son of John and Sar­ah Har­key. He mar­ried twice, to Mary Jane Jen­kins (May 16, 1848) and Su­sie Free­man (around 1872).

He grew up on a farm, and while he was still small boy, his family moved to Illinois.

He at­tended the Hills­bo­ro Aca­de­my, and (1844–47) Penn­syl­van­ia Col­lege. He stu­died theo­lo­gy un­der his bro­ther, Dr. Si­me­on W. Har­key.

He re­ceived his preach­ing li­cense in Cum­ber­land, Ma­ry­land, in 1848.

During his min­is­try, he served ma­ny con­gre­ga­tions and par­ish­es:

• Cumberland, Ma­ry­land (1848)
• Newville, Cum­ber­land Coun­ty, Penn­syl­van­ia (1849–52);
• Peoria and Pe­kin, Il­li­nois (1852–54)
• Mendon, Il­li­nois (1854–59)
• Decatur, Il­li­nois (1859)
• Shelbyville (1860–62)
• Nokomis and Au­du­bon (1862–65)
• Vandalia (1865–68)
• Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois (1870–71)
• Day­ton, Ohio (1871–72)
• Indianapolis, In­di­ana (1872–73)
• Mt. Pleasant, Penn­syl­van­ia (1873–83)
• Toledo, Ohio (1883–87)
• Melrose, Flo­ri­da (1887–88)
• North Li­ma, Ohio (1888–91)
• Kutztown, Penn­syl­van­ia (1891–1901)

Harkey also served as an agent of Il­li­nois Uni­ver­si­ty (1857); ar­my chap­lain (1862); pro­fess­or at Au­gus­ta­na Col­lege and Theo­lo­gic­al Se­mi­na­ry (1868–70); sec­re­ta­ry of the Lu­ther­an Il­li­nois Sy­nod (1853–54); pre­si­dent of the Il­li­nois Sy­nod (1856–57 & 1858–60); pre­si­dent of the Sy­nod of Il­li­nois and Ad­ja­cent Lakes (1867–69); sec­re­ta­ry of the Ge­ne­ral Coun­cil (1885–87); and pre­si­dent of the Read­ing Con­fer­ence (1897–1900).

Works

• Beulah
• Hymns and Mu­sic for Sun­day School
• Art in the Church
• Little Hil­da