Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gurney, Dr Harry L 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 28, 2008, 11:48 pm

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Dr. Harry L. Gurney finds ample opportunity for the practice of his profession 
in Wilmington, his native city, as well as the surrounding districts, he being 
the only veterinary surgeon nearer than Joliet. His father, Richard H. Gurney, 
was born in Gloucestershire, England, February 9, 1837, and died in 
Wilmington, April 22, 1883. When only six years old he came to this country 
with his father, who died soon after his arrival, the family home being 
established in Joliet in 1844. His father was a poor man, so that the son was 
early thrown upon his own resources. His first employment was at following the 
breaking plow in Channahon township, doing the work with ox teams and 
receiving for his services the meager sum of three dollars per acre. He, 
however, was an industrious and hard-working man and soon acquired a 
competence sufficient to purchase three yoke of oxen and some land. He at 
length became a very wealthy man, owning one thousand acres of rich farming 
property, and at his death he left an estate valued at seventy-five thousand 
dollars. Although it was through his farming pursuits that he made a large sum 
of money he did not, however, make that his life work, for in 1863 he 
abandoned agricultural life and, removing to Wilmington, purchased a beautiful 
home and there engaged in the livery business, in which connection he bought 
and sold horses to the government for use in the army, and he likewise engaged 
in buying and shipping cattle to the Chicago markets, continuing in that 
business up to the time of his demise, while in connection with his other 
interests he bred Norman horses. He served as a member of the city council in 
1869 and 1870. He gave his political support to the republican party and was 
identified with Masonic lodge, No. 208, at Wilmington. He is still survived by 
his widow, who bore the maiden name of Emily L. Ford, and had previously been 
married to N. M. Lacy. Mrs. Gurney was born in Geauga county, Ohio, October 
15, 1835, a daughter of John A. and Eliza (Barnes Ford, both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, John Ford, was one of the 
pioneers of that state, where he purchased the land which constituted one 
entire township. Mrs. Gurney is still living in a beautiful home in Wilmington 
and the Doctor and his family reside with her. Dr. Gurney, the only child of 
his fathers marriage, acquired his early education in the public-schools of 
his native city. After reaching man's estate he engaged in the livery business 
in 1895, conducting a barn for a few years, when, deciding upon a professional 
career as a life work, he disposed of his business in 1900 and entered 
McKillip Veterinary College, at Chicago, graduating in the class of 1903. 
Returning home he here engaged in the practice of his profession, wherein he 
is meeting with gratifying success. His practice extends over a wide area, he 
being the only veterinary surgeon in his locality. He has already won for 
himself a wide reputation and no doubt the future holds in store for him still 
greater successes. Although his professional duties claim much of his time and 
attention, the Doctor still finds time for public affairs. He gives his 
political support to the republican party and in 1904 was elected alderman of 
the third ward, while in the spring of 1906 he was re-elected to the position, 
being the present incumbent in that office. Dr. Gurney was happily married, 
May 8, 1895, when Miss Henrietta M. Gunning became his wife. She was born in 
Ridgeland township, Iroquois county, a daughter of Thomas and Jessie C. 
(Shear) Gunning, the former a native of New Jersey, while the latter was born 
in the state of New York. They are still living and make their home in this 
city. The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Gurney has been blessed with an interesting 
little son, Richard H., who was born June 12, 1896. They are popular young 
people of Wilmington, enjoying the high esteem of all with whom they have been 
associated. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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