Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 458-459] GEORGE W. HARTLEY was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 26, 1831, and is the son of GEORGE and REBECCA (PAUL) HARTLEY, natives of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he was two years old his parents removed to Jersey County, Illinois, where he spent his early life; he received a limited education in the subscription schools, but by close observation he has acquired a fund of practical information, and is equal to all the demands of business life. His youth being spent on a farm he was naturally instructed in the details of agri- culture, and at the age of twenty years he began farming on his own responsibility. He rented land in La Salle County, Illinois, and after he had one crop fairly started he claimed his promised bride, and was united in marriage July 6, 1852, to Miss MARY ANN HANKINSON, at her father's residence in Jersey County, Illinois. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 8, 1830, and is one of a family of twelve children of LEWIS F. and ELEANOR (FORMAN) HANKINSON, natives of the State of New Jersey. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. HART- LEY remained in Illinois for two years, and then removed to Johnson County, Iowa, where Mr. HARTLEY purchased 180 acres of land, a por- tion of which was in timber and the remainder raw prairie land. He improved this land and established a home in which they lived twenty- four years. They had every convenience and comfort, and were sur- rounded with plenty; the only drawback was the distance from a market place; at one time they were obliged to go eighteen miles, and later, fourteen miles. They decided to make a change in their location, and removed to Johnson County, Iowa; there they were again pioneers. Although they were prosperous and successful in raising their crops they seldom had ready money, because, when they took their produce to market they would receive only money sufficient to pay their taxes, and were compelled to take the balance in trade. This state of affairs continued three years, when the coming of railroads wrought a change for the better. Being born of pioneer parents they were themselves indeed born to clear the way for others. The deprivations and hardships of their life in Johnson County did not deter them from undertaking the settlement of a new place. Accordingly, March 1, 1878, they landed in Marcus Township, Cherokee County, where they have since made their home. They disposed of their home in Johnson County in this wise: They traded their old home for the new, receiving two acres for one, and $30 per acre for the surplus acreage; they had 320 acres of land, and $600 in cash when they settled in the county. There was only a small house for a dwelling, and two small farm buildings; 200 acres had been broken and one crop taken, and this was the amount of the improvements. Mr. HARTLEY has lost no time in producing a change in this farm; he has built a large two-story frame residence, and has erected substantial barns for stock and grain; he has planted nine and a half acres of grove, consisting of oak, hickory, elm, locust, walnut, catalpa, maple, box-elder, cottonwood and willow; his lawn is orna- mented with shrubs and flowers of many kinds, and is a most attractive place; his orchard is composed of choice varieties, just beginning to bear. Mr. HARTLEY farms quite extensively, being well prepared to follow this occupation in all its branches in a thorough and syste- matic manner. He is a man that has a wide circle of friends, and is widely and favorably known in the county. Politically he is identi- fied with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in its work and welfare. He was appointed justice of the peace the first year he came to the county, and has held it from that time to the present, excepting one year; he has served as school director, sec- retary of the School Board, and has held the office of township trustee. He was elected to the presidency of the Western Cherokee Mutual Insurance Company, and has held this position for four years. He and his wife and children are consistent members of the Christian Church, and are numbered with the most respected and highly esteemed people in Cherokee County. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. HARTLEY: REBECCA E. (deceased), wife of J. F. PFAFF, was born June 4, 1853, and died September 22, 1888; HENRY C. was born December 22, 1854, and died February 2, 1855; MARY A. G. was born December 11, 1855, and died January 9, 1866; JANE C. was born April 24, 1861, and is the wife of WILLIAM C. BRUCE; LAURA M. was born March 5, 1864, and is the wife of S. E. HENLEY; SYLVANIA R. was born July 11, 1866; AMBROSE B., July 14, 1869, and MINERVA F., January 13, 1874. ===========================================================================