Daniel Gurley
We clip the annexed biography from the Danville (Ill.) Daily Press, a copy of which was handed us by J.O. Gurley, the horse buyer who is well and favorably known to most of our readers, and is a full cousin to the subject of the sketch. The deceased was one of the most highly respected citizens in the community in which he lived. The funeral services were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, of which order he was an active member. The funeral oration was delivered by Moses Hull, of California, and we regret that space will not permit us to give a reproduction of his remarks. Daniel Gurley was born in Rupert, Vt., March 3d., 1808. When about 8 years old his parents removed to Oswego County, New York, Daniel making the trip barefoot. When 17 he made a trip west through Wisconsin, Michigan and through and beyond the site of Chicago. He grew to manhood a Presbyterian and an abolitionist, radical in both. He left the church and became a spiritualist before the Rochester knockings. His first vote was for Jackson, then for several years he did not vote at all, because he could vote with no party without voting for slavery. He was one of the first abolitionists and was the personal friend of Garrett Smith and William Lloyd Garrison, kept a station on the underground railroad, often took fugitive slaves over the Canada line himself and sent his son Frank on to the next station with them. As Mr. Hull said "if a fleeing slave could reach Daniel Gurley's he was safe from the hunter's whip and hounds". He took part in the famous "Jerry rescue" at Syracuse, N.Y. He was also a son to temperance in an early day and always temperate. He left New York in 1862, stopped a short time in Quincy, Mich. and from there removed to Danville in 1864, and has lived here ever since, engaging for several years in the hide and leather business. His life was an open book; he was honorable, temperate, industrious. He had no difficulties with men; he never sued anyone; was a good neighbor and citizen respected by all. He died Saturday, Jan. 12, of old age and general debility. It is an error that he traced his lineage to William the Conqueror, but he has a correct genealogy of the family to the days of that prince.
From The Bellville Independent, February 7, 1895, Vol. 7, No. 38