Hurley - George
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913 (1913) p 1213
History and biography for the most part reveal the lives of only those who have attained military, political or literary distinction, or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggregate more important to the welfare of the community, cannot, from its very nature, figure in the public annals. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation for the possession, in an eminent degree of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to public stability of men who, without extradordinary talents, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations and enjoyed the esteem, confidence and respect of those around them ought not to be allowed to perish. Few can draw rules for their guidance from the pages of Socrates, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Montgomery County was the late George D. HURLEY. His record is the account of a life which was, in the late main, eventful, as far as stirring incidents or starling adventure is concerned, yet was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character. HIs life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry and wholesome home and social relations a most commendable character crowned with success. It is the record of a well balanced mental and moral constitution, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. For a long lapse of years Mr. Hurley was one of the leading attorneys at the bar of Montgomery County, a man who, in the most liberal acceptation of the phrase, was the architect of his own fortunes, and nobly entitled to be termed by that proud American title, a self-made man, worthy of the great success he attained as a lawyer and the high esteem in which he was universally held, and although he has been summoned to close his earthly accounts and take up his labors on a higher plane of endeavor, his memory is deeply revered by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Hurley was born on December 3, 1833 at New Albany, Indiana.
He was a son of John and Hannah Hurley. The father was a shipwright by trade, and he spent his early life in baltimore, Maryland from which city he came to New Albany, Indiana after his marriage in the East; however, he and his wife remained in Baltimore until their eldest child was born. After remaining in New Albany for perhaps a decade, where the elder Hurley found plenty of work to do, that being a great boat building center in those days, they moved to Montgomery County in the year 1838 and here began life in typical pioneer fashion. Four children were born to John Hurley and wife, namely: Isabelle; George D, our subject; Mary and one other. They are all deceased. George D. Hurley was 5 when his parents brought him to Montgomery County and here he grew to manhood and received his primary education, later studied at Wabash College and finally in a commercial school at Cincinnati, Oho and in Lafayette, Indiana he began life for himself by clerking in a dry goods store, but not taking kindly to a commercial life, he began studying law, this being his true bent. He read under Samuel WILSON at Crawfordsville and was admitted to the bar in Montgomery County when a young man and here he reamined in active practice, maintaining an office in Crawfordsville the rest of his life, enjoying a wide and lucrative clientage, in due course of time taking his place in the front rank at the bar and figuring prominently in the important cases in local courts for a number of decades, justly ranking among the leading lawyers of western Indiana. He was a great student and kept up with the progress of his profession in all its phases, being well grounded in the basic principles of jurisprudence as well as the statutes of Indiana, and he was painstaking, persistent and was an excellent pleader. He devoted his life to his law work, ignoring political and other aspirations, although well qualified and often urged to accept public office. Mr. Hurley was married Oct 18, 1855 to Frances R. GALEY who was born Oct. 8, 1835 in crawfordsville. She was a daughte rof William W. and Lucy WILHITE Galey, one of the pioneer families of Montgomery County. Her father was born Aug 21, 1803 in Shelby County, Ky and Lucy Wilhite was born Dec 18, 1809 near Louisville, in Oldham County. These parents grew to maturity in the Blue Grass State and were marrried there, and not long afterwards moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana. William Galey worked ont he farm until he was 17 when he took up tailoring, engaging in that business in Crawfordsville until 1854, enjoying an extensive trade, then returned to farming. HIs death occurred on March 27, 1871 having outlived his wife many years, she having passed away Sept. 1854. Six chldren were born to William Galey and wife, two of whom are living. They are named, William I, deceased; Francix R, who married Mr. Hurley of this memoir; BV born Dec 14, 1833 is living in Crawfordsville; Milton h, deceased; Virgil deceased; Louise is living. Mrs. Frances R. Hurley grew to womanhood in Crawfordsville and received a common education here and her death occurred August 16, 1907. Four children were born to George D. Hurley and wife, two of whom are deceased, namely, Lucy H, born Dec 1, 1856 died Sept 1908; John W, born Aug 1, 1860; Belle, born May 4, 1858, deceased; FW born Nov 10, 1868. Politically, Mr. Hurley was a Democrat, and while he was loyal in his of the party he was not, as before intimiated, in any respect a politician. Religiously, he belonged to the Episcopal Church. The death of George D. Hurley occurred April 29 1906 at the age of 73. - typed by kbz