Charles W. Gurney
Encyclopedia
Charles W. Gurney was an American businessmen who founded Gurney's Seed and Nursery Company
, an important seed supplier.
Gurney was born in Massachusetts
, and moved to Iowa
about 1852. During the American Civil War
, he enlisted in the Union army, serving with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel..
After the war, he opened his first nursery, Hesperian Nurseries, in 1866 in Monticello
, Iowa
. The business remained in Monticello until 1882, when the business was moved to Dixon County, Nebraska
. After realizing the trade potential in towns near rivers, Gurney moved Hesperian Nurseries to Yankton
, South Dakota
, in 1897.
Gurney’s seven sons were very involved in the family seed business. In 1906, C. W. Gurney incorporated the nursery as Gurney's Seed and Nursery Company
, with his sons and a nephew as partners. The company listed products on a generic price list for mailing purposes. In 1910, Gurney’s published its first large seed and nursery catalog with a full-color cover.
After Gurney’s death in 1913, his sons and nephew continued the seed and nursery business. In 1919, Gurney’s son Deloss Butler Gurney ("D.B.") became head. The company diversified and grew quickly. By 1924, Gurney's Seed was one of the largest in the world, receiving orders from 46 of the 48 states and many foreign countries.
Charles Gurney's grandson, John Chandler Gurney
(son of D.B.), was U.S. Senator
from South Dakota from 1939 to 1951.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery Company
Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. is a mail-order seed and garden plant company based in Greendale, Indiana. Founded in 1866, Gurney’s specializes in vegetable and flower seeds, gardening supplies and nursery stock, including trees, shrubs, perennials, fruit trees and berries, fertilizers and plant foods...
, an important seed supplier.
Gurney was born in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and moved to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
about 1852. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he enlisted in the Union army, serving with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel..
After the war, he opened his first nursery, Hesperian Nurseries, in 1866 in Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The business remained in Monticello until 1882, when the business was moved to Dixon County, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. After realizing the trade potential in towns near rivers, Gurney moved Hesperian Nurseries to Yankton
Yankton
Yankton is the name of:* people: Yankton Dakota division of the Dakota, sometimes referred to as Yankton.* county: Yankton County, South Dakota in South Dakota* county seat: Yankton, South Dakota of Yankton County....
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, in 1897.
Gurney’s seven sons were very involved in the family seed business. In 1906, C. W. Gurney incorporated the nursery as Gurney's Seed and Nursery Company
Gurney's Seed and Nursery Company
Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. is a mail-order seed and garden plant company based in Greendale, Indiana. Founded in 1866, Gurney’s specializes in vegetable and flower seeds, gardening supplies and nursery stock, including trees, shrubs, perennials, fruit trees and berries, fertilizers and plant foods...
, with his sons and a nephew as partners. The company listed products on a generic price list for mailing purposes. In 1910, Gurney’s published its first large seed and nursery catalog with a full-color cover.
After Gurney’s death in 1913, his sons and nephew continued the seed and nursery business. In 1919, Gurney’s son Deloss Butler Gurney ("D.B.") became head. The company diversified and grew quickly. By 1924, Gurney's Seed was one of the largest in the world, receiving orders from 46 of the 48 states and many foreign countries.
Charles Gurney's grandson, John Chandler Gurney
John Chandler Gurney
John Chandler "Chan" Gurney was a U.S. Senator from South Dakota.Born in Yankton, South Dakota, Gurney attended the public schools. During World War I, he served as a sergeant in Company A, Thirty-Fourth Engineers, United States Army, with service overseas from 1918 to 1919...
(son of D.B.), was U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from South Dakota from 1939 to 1951.
External links
- http://gurneys.com/ Retail Site