William Cathey Harkey (Kansas “Horse ‘n Buggy” Doctor) was a native Kansan born near Gardner in 1872. The son of early-day settlers from North Carolina, Harkey became a well-known and popular “horse and buggy” doctor who contributed to the success of Johnson County’s growth with his many business, civic, and medical affiliations.
Dr. William C. Harkey – circa 1897
Harkey, often known as “Will” or W.C.,” was born to farmer and stock raiser Doctor Zelas Alexander Harkey. He spent his childhood on the family farm, where he struggled with a debilitating bone disease and could be seen working in the fields with bandages wrapped around his arms. Farming and cattle would become a lifelong hobby, but Harkey’s devotion to his studies would produce a well-educated man of diverse talents.
After graduating from the Union school district about 1889, Harkey attended Fort Scott State Normal College, a teachers’ preparatory institution. He taught at Hillsdale, Kansas in 1894 and 1895, but after a few years as a schoolmaster, he opted for a career change and entered the University Medical College of Kansas City. In 1899, his last year of medical school, Harkey married a childhood sweetheart, Marie Elizabeth Meng.
A September 1899 edition of The Olathe Mirror states that the “highly esteemed” young couple will move to Nebraska where he will engage in his profession as physician and surgeon.” The move, however, never took place. Harkey instead set up his practice in his hometown of Gardner, where he bought one of the frame storefronts lining Main Street. He had a horse stable constructed out back of his office. Harkey, who was quite fond of the animals that carried him to his patients, also was considered one of the best veterinary doctors in the area.
A June 1902 edition of the Gardner Gazette printed the following praises: “Dr. W.C. Harkey is a comparatively young physician, but by close application to his studies and business, he has been very successful and enjoys his full share of patronage. He received the highest vote for councilman at the spring election, and he has a host of friends. He has faith in Gardner, as he has purchased his office building on Main Street and is also erecting a $2000 residence on the same street.”
His new home, built by the Johnson County contracting firm of Cramer and Eyerly, also contained an office and waiting room, and a 25-foot deep water well built into the foundation.
Dr. W.C. Harkey, daughters Mary and Eunice, and wife Elizabeth – 1910, Courtesy of Eunice Dora Harkey Melik
Harkey eventually became entrenched in the business dealings of Gardner. The local newspaper called him “one of the live, progressive citizens of Gardner, doing his part toward making it a more desirable town in which to live.” As president of the Gardner State Bank in 1907, Harkey saw bank deposits increase by 112% and oversaw construction of a new brick bank building.
Placing a priority on education, Harkey furthered his medical training at every opportunity, taking post-graduate courses in Chicago, New York, and at Tulane University in New Orleans. After finishing his work at Tulane in 1910, Harkey was named head of pediatrics at Bell Memorial Hospital in Kansas City (now University of Kansas Medical Center).
It was during this time that the family moved to a 120-acre farm at what is now one of the choicest parcels in greater Kansas City, the area at Interstate 435 and Metcalf Avenue by the Overland Park Marriott. Their large farmhouse was built on a hill at the present-day site of the Sun Publications Building. This Harkey residence also housed the doctor’s office and a pharmacy. It was widely known as “Harkey Hill.”
Farming remained a passion for Harkey, who leased additional acreage for his cattle. He also ran a dairy operation and raised purebred Duroc hogs. In 1929 he once again established a medical practice in Gardner, but his health soon forced him back to the farm, where he died in 1935.
In 1986 the William C. Harkey residence in Gardner was named to The Register of Historic Kansas Places. The turn-of-the-century Queen Anne cottage is located at 224 E. Main Street. Doctor William Harkey (1872 – 1935) served Kansas City, KU, Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Gardner, Spring Hill, and parts of Miami County.