My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD HARNEY, a well-to-do farmer of Worthington, was born in Blackburn, England, June 15, 1827, son of Richard and Jane (Tomlinson) Harney. Mr. Harney’s father was engaged in different kinds of employment, and resided in England until his death. His mother had four other children: Thomas, William, Jane, and John. She also died in England.

Richard Harney commenced to work in a cotton factory at an early age. Having acquired a good knowledge of the business he was in time advanced to the position of over-seer. On September 30, 1863, he embarked for the United States, in company with his wife and seven children. After arriving in New York City he went to Cohoes, N.Y., where he found employment in a cotton factory for one year. He then moved to Easthampton, Mass., and secured a position in another factory of the same kind. During the eighteen years that he spent there he earned the character of a capable and reliable workman. In 1883 he removed to Worthington and purchased the farm on which he now resides. The property included seventy acres of improved land, which he has since cultivated industriously. He devotes himself chiefly to general farming and dairying.

On December 24, 1847, Mr. Harney was united in marriage to Ann Tempest. She was born in England, March 12, 1827, daughter of John and Mary Tempest, the former of whom was engineer of a large cotton-mill, an occupation which he followed until his death. Both parents of Mrs. Harney died in England. Mr. and Mrs. Harney have had ten children. Six of them survive, and are as follows: John, married to Henrietta Comstock, and foreman of a cotton factory in New Bedford, Mass.; Mary, wife of James Tetlow, a loom repairer of Adams, Mass.; Jane, wife of Frederick White, a teamster of Holyoke, Mass.; Richard, married to Mary Lamprey, and residing in New Bedford, Mass.; William, wedded to Dora Schroeder, and a mule spinner in Taunton, Mass.; and Sarah, who resides at home. Those deceased were: Thomas, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Joseph.

Mr. Harney was formerly a teacher of a Sabbath-school in England. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church in Worthington, and are actively interested in church work.