Harvey O’Connor Dinkins was born on this day in 1900, in Yadkin County, to J. Frank and Mary Willard Dinkins.
He grew up on his father’s farm near East Bend, where he helped with farming, growing tobacco, corn, and wheat, and raising livestock.
He attended schools in East Bend and Boonville, and he attended the preparatory department of Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
Harvey studied history, English and foreign languages at Guilford College. He graduated in 1926 with a B. A. degree, and went to work for the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel newspapers, and WSJS Radio and Television.
He worked for 20 years as a reporter, feature writer and editorial writer, covering city hall, the courthouse, and politics.
The newspaper management created the post of farm editor, and Harvey was chosen to fill the position. He began broadcasting a farm program on WSJS Radio in 1946, and became farm service director for WSJS Television in 1954. He made many daily radio and television broadcasts until he was hospitalized in 1962. He was billed as “North Carolina’s favorite farmer.”
Harvey received many awards and citations for his work with the newspaper, radio and television. He was also involved in organizations associated with his work, such as the National Association of Radio and Television Farm Directors.
He co-authored the book, “Forsyth; a County on the March,” published in conjunction with Forsyth County’s Centennial Celebration in 1949.
Harvey was a member of Ardmore Baptist Church. He was married to Ruth Blair Dinkins, and he passed away in 1962.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
