Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN HURLEY
JOHN HURLEY. The superintendent of the City Cemetery of Sacramento,
Cal., is John Hurley, a man well known in this connection, although he has held
the position only since March, 1904. He is a native son of the state,
having been born in Amador county, on the banks of
Sutter creek, October 18, 1865. He is the son of James and Mary (Young)
Hurley, both natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1849 and crossed the plains to California the following year. They located in Amador county, where Mr. Hurley improved a farm, cultivating the
same for a number of years. He died in 1874, while his wife still
survives, making her home on Eighth street in Sacramento. She was the mother of four children, Mary E.,
Alexander (deceased), John and Thomas D.
John Hurley received his education in the
public schools of Sacramento, after which course he became a clerk in a general store
for C.H. Gilman. He remained in that position until 1882, when he
entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Ten yeas later he
resigned, and going to New
York City became an
employe of the New York Journal. After remaining
there two years he went to Mexico and was employed on what was known as the J. B. Haggin railroad. For a time he was engaged in the
express business for the same road, after which he returned to New York City
and there boarded a government steamer bound for Japan. He finally returned to California
and in March,1904, was appointed superintendent of the
City Cemetery at Sacramento. Considering its size, comprising twelve acres,
this is one of the finest cemeteries in the state, being situated on a high
elevation, ornamented with many beautiful trees and costly monuments. Many
of the distinguished men of California have found a last resting place in this beautiful spot,
among them Col. William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamilton, who was
buried here October 9, 1850. Mr. Hurley is identified fraternally with
Washington Post No. 20, F. & A. M. In his various positions he has
traveled extensively and has a wide fund of geographical knowledge of countries
and places, and is well informed on all subjects of public interest.
Transcribed by Louise E. Shoemaker, November 12, 2007.
Source: “History of
the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California”
by J. M. Guinn. Page
1705. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.
© 2007 Louise E. Shoemaker.
Sacramento County Biographies