Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gurney, George F 1832 - 
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Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

GEORGE F. GURNEY. Among the large land owners and wealthy agriculturists of 
Will County, George F. Gurney holds a prominent place. He is the owner of nine 
hundred and sixty-six acres of land, which without any special improvements 
would in this section of the Mississippi Valley be a valuable possession. Its 
worth has been enhanced by various improvements, among them being a complete 
line of buildings adequate to shelter the stock, store the crops which are 
raised upon the broad acres, and protect from wind and weather the farm 
machinery and imple ments which the progressive ideas of Mr. Gurney demand. 
Seven hundred and forty acres of this fine landed estate are included in 
Jackson Township, and on section 36, stands the family residence. It attracts 
the attention of every passer-by, its outward appearance leading one to 
believe that it is a home in more than name, a belief which is borne out by 
the hospitable spirit and intelligence which rule its inmates. The parents of 
our subject were William and Ruth (Cooper) Gurney, both natives of England, 
whence they came to Will County in the spring of 1845. They made their 
residence in Joliet two or three years, and then removed to the country, both 
dying in the township of Channahon. They were accompanied to this country by 
their son of whom we write, who was then about thirteen years of age. His 
natal day was July 2, 1832, and his birthplace Gloucestershire, England. His 
taste led him to adopt farming as his avocation, and his possessions afford 
abundant proof that he chose well. With the exception of a short time during 
which he lived in Grundy County, Ill., the county to which he first came from 
England has been his home since boyhood. He settled in Jackson Township in the 
spring of 1865. The marriage of Mr. Gurney was celebrated in Wilmington, Ill., 
his chosen companion being Miss Eliza Brydon, who possesses many virtues and 
graces of mind and heart. Under her efficient management the home is ever neat 
and orderly, good cheer is abundant for both the inner and outer man, and the 
members of her household have reason to bestow upon her the deepest affection. 
She is the mother of seven children, three of whom have left the parental roof 
for homes elsewhere. Frances is the wife of Frank Losh; Elsie is the wife of 
Charles Pohlman; and Elmer is now living in North Dakota. Arno, Lizzie, Nellie 
and Otto still linger under the parental roof tree. The political views of Mr. 
Gurney coincide with the principles laid down in the Republican platform, and 
he exercises the right of suffrage in behalf of that party, taking quite an 
active part in political affairs. While living in the town of Wilton, he was 
Township Assessor, and he has acceptably filled the office of School Director. 
It would be but natural to suppose that he is interested in the progress of 
the cause of education as well as in other civilizing and improving movements, 
and such is the case. He has for many years been one of the largest cattle 
feeders in the county, and is also extensively engaged in breeding English 
Shire horses. It will thus be seen that he is one of the most active business 
men in this section of Illinois. In connection with the personal sketch of Mr. 
Gurney we present his portrait, to which we invite the reader's attention. It 
represents a man who, together with his family, stands high in the regard of 
others.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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