For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 369
GEORGE J. HARNEY....George J. Harney, a successful liveryman of West Liberty, has built up an extensive business of this character by reason of his straightforward dealings and earnest desire to please his patrons. His birth occurred in Iowa City, Iowa, on the 13th of July, 1874, his parents being James M. and Mary ( Teefy ) Harney, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States at an early day, establishing their home in Johnson county, Iowa. James M. Harney, who fought loyally in defense of the Union during the Civil war, is now deceased. His widow, who still survives, makes her home with one of her daughters at Lima, Ohio. Their children were three in number, namely : Helen and Carrie, both of whom are residents of Ohio ; and George J., of this review.The last named obtained his education in the common schools and remained at home until seventeen years of age, when he began working as a farm hand, being thus employed until his marriage in 1899. Following that important event in his life he operated a rented farm for four years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the dray and transfer business at West Liberty. Two years later he became engaged in the livery business and has since conducted an up-to-date livery, feed and sales stable. He keeps on hand a number of first class conveyances and is well able to supply the needs of his patrons in this connection. Mr. Harney also has a creditable military record, having served in the Spanish-American war as a member of Company I, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, for one year.
In 1899 Mr. Harney was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret McCarty, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Patrick and Fannie McCarty, who were likewise born on the Emerald isle. They emigrated to America when their daughter Margaret was still very young and both are yet living, now making their home at West Liberty, Mrs. Harney, who was one of a family of eight children, is a graduate of the high school at West Liberty and followed the profession of teaching for several years prior to her marriage. She is now the mother of six children, namely : Robert ; James ; Margaret and George, twins ; Helen ; and Ruth.
Mr. Harney is a stanch democratic politically but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at West Liberty, while both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church. His business interests have been carefully conducted, his duties of citizenship capably performed and at all times he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities that have devolved upon him in every relation of life, making him one of the worthy and esteemed citizens of West Liberty.
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