E.B.K. Gurney, son of Thomas and Deborah (Keene) Gurney, was born in Abington, Mass., Sept. 24, 1808. His father was born in Abington, Dec. 18, 1789, and his mother was born in Pembroke, Jan. 11, 1788. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Mary (House) Gurney, and his maternal grandparents were Isaiah Keene - a soldier of the Revolution - and Lydia (Bourne) Keene.

Mr. Gurney came to Pembroke (now Hanson) when but six years of age, and has resided there to the present time. He was educated at the common schools of his town, and early developed a taste and talent for music. When but a child he became quite a proficient performer on the fife, and on his twelfth birthday he, in company with another lad just his age, played the fife for Capt. Job Luther, at a military review. At fifteen he became a member of a brigade band warranted by Brig. Gen. Ephraim Ward, of Middleboro. He also held a musician's warrant from Col. Jesse Reed, of Marshfield. He was leader of the Old Colony Brass Band until 1862. He also commanded a company of light infantry called "Washington Guards" for five years. Capt. Gurney has held every town office, most of them repeatedly. He was on the board of selectmen and overseers of the poor for thirteen years (1858 to 1879), and served on committees almost every year. He has been repeatedly chosen delegate to county and State conventions.

During the war of the Rebellion he gave nearly all of his time to the raising of money to pay recruits, up to the time when the law was passed authorizing the town to vote money for that purpose. He was recruiting and enrolling officer under Provost-Marshal Capt. Hall, of Taunton. His two sons enlisted in the army and served nearly through the war. Mr. Gurney was for many years a shoemaker by occupation, but for the last twenty-five years he has been engaged in. surveying, probate business, and writing of various kinds. He has been twice married,-first to Almira Josselyn, Sept. 28, 1830 ; she was born July 11, 1809, and died May 13, 1869. Their children were Almira J., born June 4, 1831, married William H. H. Bryant, Jan. 1, 1850; Mary M., born June 19, 1832, married Jacob M. Bryant, June 19, 1850; Thomas, born Sept. 17, 1834, married Rebecca Damon, Sept. 19, 1856; E. Henry, born Nov. 25,1836, died Nov. 21, 1838; Deborah, born May 4, 1839, married William W. Hood, of Turner, Me., Dec. 14, 1856; E. Henry, born Jan. 23,1841, married Sylvania W. Everson, Jan. 27, 1861; she died Dec. 7, 1866; George, born March 24, 1843, died Sept. 10, 1843; George, born Nov. 11, 1845, died Sept. 14, 1846; Georgiana L. F., born Jan. 17, 1847, married Capt. Edward Y. Luther, Aug. 20, 1866; he died Aug. 28, 1875; Ella J., born Nov. 21, 1849; Helen E., born Nov. 23, 1852, died Aug. 7, 1853. Capt. Gurney married, as his second wife, Desire S. Osborne, nee Hobart, Nov. 20, 1872; she was born Aug. 16, 1808.

In politics Mr. Gurney was a Union man during the war, and has been a Republican since. In religion he is broad and liberal in his views, and is what is termed a "Free-thinker." His "creed," as he graphically states it, is "to live as long; as he can, take all the comfort he can, do all the good he can, and not trespass on the rights of others."

Capt. Gurney has been an active and useful man in the community where his life has been spent, and in the autumn of his days he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has deserved, and enjoys, the highest respect and good-will of all who know him.

--- above taken from "History of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men.
Compiled under the supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd." - Philadelphia ; J.W. Lewis & Co., 1884.