JOHN HOPKINS HARNEY
Was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, February 20, 1806. He was left an orphan while quite young, and was taken into the family of Judge Benjamin Mills, his father's cousin, and law partner of Henry Clay, and by him brought up with his own sons. Mr. Harney spent six months at Miami University, where he graduated in 1827, receiving the degree of A. B., and in 1831 the degree A. M, Soon after his graduation he walked from Oxford, O., to Bloomington, and applied for the position of teacher of Mathematics in the State Seminary, lately established. He received the appointment desired. When the Seminary became the College of Indiana, Mr. Harney was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science. This position he occupied till 1832. Removing to Hanover he was elected Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. Four years afterward he was made Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry and Geology. On leaving Hanover he went to Louisville, Ky., and became Professor of Civil Engineering in the Collegiate institute of that city. In this Institute he was associated with Noble Butler, its Professor of Languages. From 1837 to 1844 Professor Harney was editor of the Louisville Democrat, which, under his editorship, became an influential and popular paper.
Professor Harney, before coming to Bloomington married Miss Wallace, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Wallace, a Presbyterian minister of Kentucky, and sister of William K. Wallace, a student of the college, and a poet of some reputation in those days. When Professor Harney first came to Bloomington he was under the care of the Presbytery, being a candidate for the ministry. Soon after leaving Hanover he left the Presbyterian Church, and joined a small local sect known as the Wilderites. Afterward he became an Independent setting up for himself, and for sometime he preached in Louisville. About six months before he died he was received into the Episcopal Church. His death took place at Louisville Ky., January 26, 1868.
The writer of this sketch is indebted for nearly all the statistics to the General Catalogue of Alumni of Hanover College, furnished through the courtesy of Professor Garritt and for the general information to Judge D. D. Banta.
