Harvey G. Mathis, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Clay Center, is a native son of Kansas, and though comparatively a young man has won a high standing in the ministry of the Presbyterian denomination of this state. He was born in Osage county, March 31, 1873, a son of Dr. William H. and Emma (Glass) Mathis, the former a native of Spencer, Kentucky. Dr. William H. Mathis graduated at the St. Louis Medical College and practiced with his brother at Taylorsville, Ky., one year before coming to Kansas, in 1869. He settled in Osage county on a homestead, which he proved up, and while improving it he also engaged in the practice of his profession. Few walks of life offer more chances for noble deeds than that of the country doctor, and for a number of years Dr. Mathis and his white pony were familiar figures all over Osage county while on his errands of mercy and relief. About 1882 he removed to Coffey county and located at the town of Waverly, which had been but recently organized. He resumed the practice of medicine there and is still an active practitioner. He has been successful, both professionally and financially, and has accumulated a comfortable estate, part of which is in good farm land and part Waverly real estate. He is an ardent temperance man, and outside of that has never taken more than a voting interest in political affairs. He is a devout and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he has always taken an active interest, having been one of the organizers of the Rock Creek Church in Osage county. He earned his own way through college and also assisted his mother in maintaining the family, as the father had died while Dr. Mathis was young. The disadvantages of his earlier years but accentuate the success of his subsequent career and exemplify what any youth may accomplish if possessed of ability, energy and determination. Rev. Harvey G. Mathis enjoyed the inestimable advantage of being reared under the care of loving, superior, and devoted parents. He received his earlier education in the Waverly public schools and took his preparatory and college courses at Emporia, Kan., in the Emporia College, where he entered in 1891 and was graduated in 1897. He then entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, at Princeton, N. J.. and completed his course there in 1900, meanwhile filling various pulpits as a supply minister. His first charge was at Garnett, Kan., where he was called in 1900, and where he remained two and a half years, or until called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Chanute, where he remained until Sept. 3, 1911, when he resigned the pastorate at Chanute to accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church at Clay Center. He entered upon his work in the new field, Oct. 1, 1911. Rev. Mr. Mathis is a vigorous and capable man, with large views and is conscientiously devoted to the calling he has made his life's work. Recognizing the evolution of the church as well as that of every other form of institutional life, he is progressive in his methods of administration, ever keeping in mind the larger scope and opportunities of usefulness in the church activities of the present day. He has labored effectively in behalf of his church and caused to be erected at Chanute one of the handsomest church edifices of that city. It is built of stone and cost approximately $34,000. At the time Rev. Mr. Mathis assumed his duties at Chanute the membership of his church numbered 150, which has since been increased to an enrollment of 350 members. Rev. Mr. Mathis was elected Moderator of the Synod of Kansas, Oct. 14, 1909. He also served as stated clerk of the Presbytery of Neosho from September, 1907, to September, 1911. He is a Mason and has attained the Knights Templar degree.

In 1910 Rev. Mr. Mathis married Miss Osie, daughter of Anson Christy, who came from Iowa to Kansas and was a successful merchant at Waverly a number of years. Both parents of Mrs. Mathis have passed away, the father's death having occurred in 1890 and the mother's in 1900; they left a small estate. Reverend and Mrs. Mathis have one son, Gilbert C., born Nov. 26, 1902.