Wayne_Hursley

WAYNE HURSLEY, who is serving as deputy Collector of Customs at Sault de Ste. Marie, has made his home in this city since 1887. He is born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 5th of October, 1837. His paternal grandfather belonged to one of the Mohawk Dutch families that settled in eastern New York, and the maternal grandfather was a native of Connecticut, whence he emigrated to New York, and the maternal grandfather was a native of Connecticut, whence he emigrated to New York about 1821. The Hursleys followed the lives of fishermen on Lake Ontario for some years. The father had three brothers and one sister. One brother went to California, where he reared a family, and the others all died in New York.

Wayne Hursley had but meager privileges in his youth, educational or otherwise. He attended school only through the winter season, when manual work was limited, for in the summer months he was employed earning his own livelihood. In connection with his brother, Jay Hursley, he came to the West, and for two years they engaged in fishing on Lake Superior, during which time they made their headquarters and home in Sault de Ste. Marie. In 1865 they transferred their operations to Houghton, Hancock county, where they continued until 1869, when they removed to Marquette, spending two years there also in the fishing business. They then took up the tug business and were also engaged in getting out timber for logs, boards, and dock timber, and under contract built several docks in Marquette, including the Brown Stone, the water-works and the sawmill docks. In 1882 they retired from the lumber trade and entered the employ of the firm of Charles Hibbard & Son, with whom out subject continued for a period of six years, engaged in towing logs.

On coming to Sault de Ste. Marie in 1887, Mr. Hursley engaged in the lightering business and general towing, and to this work devoted his energies until the fall of 1893, when he received his appointment as deputy Collector of Customs from Colonel Scully of Marquette. Fidelity to any trust reposed in him has always been one of his marked characteristics, and in the office which he is now filling he is alike faithful.

In April, 1859, Mr. Hursley was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jordan, the wedding being celebrated in Henderson, Jefferson county, New York. The lady is a daughter of John Jordan, of Canada, who served as a drummer boy in the war of 1812 in t5he British army, and was in the battle of Queenstown Heights. He married Sarah Williams and they became the parents of eight children, namely: Connor; Ann Eliza, wife of Richard Manders; John, James and George, all of Bay of Quinte, Canada; Jane, wife of John Miller, who is living in Oswego county, new York; and Mrs. Hursley. To our subject and his wife have been born but one child, –Gertrude, –who became the wife of Alfred Richards, of Sault de Ste. Marie, and died May 15, 1893. Mr. Hursley is a member of the Masonic chapter of this city, which he joined in 1868.