In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printings (1908 and 1916) are folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1850
From Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan .. (1892), Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan (1908), History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, (1916)
J. HURLEY. The genial President of the People's Electric Light and Power Company at Flint, dealer in wood and coal, manufacturer of soap and potash, is a man of many talents and varied interests. He was born in London, England, August 31, 1850, and is a son of John and Mary (Allen) Hurley, all of whom were natives of the great metropolis. Our subject's grandsire on the paternal side was a merchant, as was our subject's father, having his business stand in East London. Our subject's mother died in her native city in 1878. She had nine children, and he of whom we write was the fifth in order of birth of the family.
Our subject obtained his education at Bedford House Academy, in Marlin Row. The acquisitive faculty soon showed itself to be strong within him, for when a child of only six years of age he began earning money by returning the fruit baskets to the wholesale dealers, for which he received a cent apiece, When thirteen years of age he had acquired 1400 and with it he started into the fruit and merchandise business for himself. He was very successful and continued in business until twenty, but his success had cultivated in him extravagant habits. He lost his means, and being obliged to start anew, determined to come to America. He left Liverpool in May, 1871, and arrived in New York by steamer, a stranger. He came immediately to Grand Blanc, Mich., thence he came to Flint on foot and engaged in the livery business for $10 per month during the winter. In the spring of 1872 he started into business in partnership with William H. Fay as proprietor of the Sherman House. In 1876 Mr. Hurley bought out his partner's interest and continued to run it alone until 1879, when it was entirely consumed by fire.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Our subject owns an area of fifteen acres of land between the railroad and the river, and this is the site of his most important business operations. In 1885 he became the incorporator of the People's Electric Light and Power Company, and is at the present time its President. A. II. Gilles, is \' ice- President; Romain Putnam, Treasurer, and A. G. Bishop, Secretary. Aside from these interests, he is an extensive owner of valuable real estate. He is half owner of ten residences built in 1889-90. They are located in the Fourth Ward, and the other half owner is F. P. Smith. Mr. Hurley also owns other property. He resides on Smith Street. Our subject was married in this city to Miss Mary Flynn; a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Peter Flynn, a farmer at Mt. Morris. The original of this sketch favors the Demoijratic policy. His success is due to close application to his business and to the comprehensive plans which he makes. He has always made an effort to be prompt in meeting his monetary obligations.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan .. (1892). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JAMES J. HURLEY.
In the character of James J. Hurley, late of Flint, was to be found such a combination of traits as to make his life story read like fiction. He was born in London, England, of Irish parentage, August 31, 1850, and died at Flint, Michigan, April 4, 1905. At the age of twenty years he and one companion embarked for America, having but ten cents between them. He went resolutely to work, however, and later landed in Genesee county, Michigan. He engaged in farm labor in Grand Blanc township, coming to Flint soon after. Upon his arrival in the city he engaged in hotel work, and in company with Mr. McFay later operated the Sherman Hotel.
He was married at the age of twenty-five to Miss Mary Flynn, who was dining room girl at the Sherman Hotel at the time, and later became landlady. Mr. Hurley then bought out his partner. Following this he became interested in soap manufacturing, and then for years also became a handler in wood and coal. He transacted his business at the location on Smith street in the first ward of Flint. Next followed judicious investments in real estate and in all his business enterprises Mr. Hurley showed not only great sagacity and foresight, but also a most commendable spirit of fairness and justice. He built a great many residences and was a most reasonable landlord, retaining some of his tenants for as long as eighteen years. He built not only good houses, but store blocks as well, always making creditable additions to the town whenever he made these ventures.
But not only in personal business did he achieve success, but his services were sought for by outside interests as well. He was a director in the Union Trust Savings Bank, and in 1875 was one of the organizers of the Light and Power Company of Flint, of which company he was the leading spirit and manager.
His investments gradually increased in value and he eventually became possessor of considerable wealth. Realizing that much of this came about by unearned increment, Mr. Hurley took a most charitable view regarding the disposition of his belongings. In doing so, however, he was careful not to parade his gifts before men, preferring rather to distribute his beneficences quietly and unassumingly. He killed $500 to each organized church of Flint and donated a block for a hospital site, as well as $25,000 in cash and a residue of $25,000.
The site for Hurley Hospital is a handsome location and will form a most valuable, useful and attractive addition to the city's facilities.
Mrs. Hurley, died in 1900 after twenty-five years of married life. She was a most excellent woman and supplemented the activities of her husband in a rare and beautiful way.
Mr. Hurley's private secretary was made his administratrix and she discharged her obligations in a business-like and equitable manner, making a visit to London to the relatives and immediate family connections. He left many special benefactions and his quiet demeanor has made a most lasting impression on the community. He was not a political aspirant. He affiliated with the Catholic church.
As printed in Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
James J. Hurley, one of the original directors, was born in London, England, in 1850, coming to America in 1871. He came as far as Grand Blanc and thence on foot to Flint, where he obtained employment at the Sherman Hotel as porter. He afterward engaged in the manufacture of soap and later entered the coal and wood business. Subsequently, he became interested in real estate, building many residences, which he rented for reasonable sums, showing always toward his tenants a most commendable spirit of justice and fairness. He was one of the organizers and largest stockholders of the first light and power company of Flint. His death occurred in 1905. Mr. Hurley was a man of broad human sympathies, as was evidenced by his gift to the city at the time of his death of sufficient funds with which to build a general hospital, on a site which he had previously selected and purchased for this purpose. Hurley Hospital is Begole street. In all its appointments it is one of the most modern and best equipped hospitals in the state and a fitting monument to its founder.
As printed in History of Genesee county, Michigan, her people, industries and institutions, (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Romain Putnam (b. 1838)
Their biographies name J. Hurley: Aral A. Riker (b. 1866)
The printed record stops around 1892. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.