William Gurney
| William Gurney | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 August 1821 Flushing, Long Island |
| Died | 2 February 1879 (aged 57) Charleston, SC |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Military Officer, Cotton Factor |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Brigadier-General, United States Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | |
William Gurney (21 August 1821 - 2 February 1879) was a soldier and statesmen from New York and South Carolina, who distinguished himself in the Civil War and within the craft of Freemasonry.
William Gurney was born at Flushing, Long Island, in 1821. He was of Quaker extraction.
Gurney went to New York City in 1837, and obtained employment as a clerk in the wholesale establishment of A.N. Brown, in Dey street. He became a junior partner of Mr. Brown, and afterward the head of the firm of Gurney & Underhill, which succeeded the old firm.
William Gurney was one of the originators of the Five Points Mission in New York City.
Gurney was affiliated with many Masonic lodges including Adelphic and Arcana and in 1853 was one of the founders of Continental Lodge No. 287 Free and Accepted Masons in the state of New York. He was also a member of Adelphi Chapter and Morton Commandery.
Gurney always took an active interest in the Militia, and was originally a member of the Eighth Regiment. At the outbreak of the American Civil War he was a First Lieutenant in the Seventh Regiment, which he accompanied during its three months' term of service. On his return to New York City he accepted a captain's commission in the Sixty-fifth Regiment, New York Volunteers, commanded by Col. John Cochrane.
In 1862 he was appointed Assistant Inspector-General and Examining Officer on the staff of Gov. Morgan, in which position he was required to pass upon the qualifications of persons applying for commissions in the regiments of the State of New York.
On July 10, 1862 Gurney received authority to raise a regiment, and in 30 days recruited the 127th New York Volunteer Infantry. It was organized on Staten Island September 8, 1862. Gurney returned to the front at the head of this unit.
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