Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-02-04
County Resident 50 Years
To Celebrate 8Oth Birthdny
James Hurley Was Register of
Deeds IN Early Days; Father
of Big Family.

The name, Hurley, is we'll known
over Pine county and it is closely
connected with the early history of
this part of Minnesota. The father
of the family, James Hurley, who will
celebrate his SOth birthday in a few
days and is still in good health, came
to Pine City in 1870. only II years
after the county was organized with
it's present limits. Pine county was
organized in 1854 but included then
what is now Kanabec and Carlton
counties. In 1858 the present boun-
daries were established.
James Hurley was born in the state
of Vermont on Feb. 10, 1852, his par
ents having immigrated to America
two years previously from Ireland.
When a small lad the family moved
to st. Paul and later to Anoka county
and it was in this county in a log
cabin school that the young Hurley
received his education. Coming to
Pine county as young man of IL
he took up various occupations, doing
first teaming and then mill work. In
1879 he was elected register of deeds
and held that position for IA years.
During eight of the IA years he was
also clerk of court at the same time
he held the register of deeds position.
One Time Hotel Proprietor.
For about five years after holding
public office he was engaged in the
wholesale liquor business together
with his brothers in st. Paul, and
was in the farm implement and ma
chine business in Pine City and later
was proprietor of the Agnes hotel.
He is now retired from active bust
ness and has been so for several
years, though he owns considerable
land in Pine county and looks after
that. He was a member of the Pine
City school board for many years.
Mr.. Hurley is strong Democrat in
politics, belongs to the Eagles lodge,
and he and his family worship at the
Catholic church.
Mr.. Hurley's first wife who was
Mary Eagan, from Hinckley, passed
away in 1892. To this union was
born eight children. some of whom
are among the leading citizens of
Pine county today, and some of them
have taken up work in other fields.
William, the oldest son, who was a
Sandstone banker, died a few years
ago; Michael is the well known Pine
county attorney, Martin is practicing
law in st. Paul, Ben is also in St.
Paul, Frank has the Security State
Bank in Sandstone, Mrs. L. ]. Cleary
Mary lives in st. Paul, John died
in 1919, and Agnes died in 1920. John,
Michael, and Frank served their coun-
try in the World war.
In 1894 Mr.. Hurley was married to
Katherine O'Brien of Atwater, by
whom he has had four children, all
girls. Of these Katherine and Cecilia
are at home. Mrs. Norton Lawler
(MargareD lives at Rochester, and
Mrs. Clint r. Boo (Julia) resides in
Pine City, her husband being lum-
herman and we'll known in Legion
circles, both very musical.
Knows Pine County.
Perhaps from force of habit Mr..
Hurley uses a cane when he walks,
for he is still able to get around in
good shape, very erect, and a we'll
preserved old gentleman. He enjoys
little walk each day and is a ia
miliar figure at the county seat. An
other hobby is little game of cards
now and then. An old timer in the
county-52 years residence here-and
possessing a keen mind he is a very
interesting man to converse with.
Mr.. Hurley is of the rugged pio-
neer type of men, resolute and firm
in his decisions and convictions. He
has given all of his children a good
education and has expended no little
time and effort in this direction. The
home is a large one where many a
family gathering has been held in
the past years and where friends and
neighbors feel at home. This year,
the home coming on the S0th birth
day anniversary of the father and