He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14, 21). He was 34 years old when he was enlisted (14, 21 [64 at death in 1891]).
He was a printer (14).
He was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (14).
He also served in company E [?] of the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry (10). He was mustered into service on 21 April 1861, and was mustered out on 8 August 1861 (10).
He was enlisted in company H of the 91st Pennsylvania on 26 December 1861 (10, 14). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Henry (14). He was mustered into service as sergeant on 28 December 1861 (13).
He was promoted to first sergeant on 20 May 1862, replacing Stephen Eastwick (13).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (18). He was then commanding the company (18). When William Reiff collapsed from exhaustion and heat, Finney roused him by throwing water in his face (20).
He re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer (1, 10 [mustered out 25 Dec 63]).
On 28 September 1864, he was reported to be under arrest (16).
On 30 October 1864, he received a commission as Lieutenant from the Governor of Pennsylvania (5). On 31 October 1864, Sellers asked that he be discharged to enable him to accept that commission (5). He was promoted on 3 November 1864 to first lieutenant of company H (1, 12, 17).
On 6 November 1864, he was assigned to command company B in addition to his present command (H) (6). On 11 November 1864, Captains John Donnell, William Michael, and Lieutenant John Graham were appointed a board of survey to determine for how much government property in company B he was responsible (7).
He was promoted to captain of company H on 4 January 1865 (1, 3, 8).
On 27 January 1865, he and other officers met near Petersburg Virginia and adopted a testimonial to Captain James Closson, who had died in November 1864, of wounds received in action (4).
He was captured on 6 February 1865 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1 [roster & p.192], 2). On 22 March 1865, he was reported gained from missing in action (19).
He was mustered out 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 3).
In 1890, he was living in a lodging house at 440 Lombard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10, 11). He had received a "shell concussion shot in the head at Hatcher['s] Run + Gettysburg" (10).
He died at Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 10 August 1891, of marasmus and acute alcoholism (21, 22). He was a printer (21). He died at or was buried from 325 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21). He was buried on 15 August 1891, at Ronaldson's Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21).
On 1 September 1891, his widow, Mary S [?] Finney, successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension (15, 22).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster, and on p.192.)
2 'Address of Chaplain Joseph Welch', Pennsylvania at Gettysburg, vol. 1 (1914), pp.500-507, at p.506.
4 testimonial to James Closson, adopted 27 Jan 1865
5 letter, Sellers to Tayman, 31 October 1864
6 special order 105, HQ 91st PA, 6 November 1864 Geo P Finney
7 special order 107, HQ 91st PA, 7 November 1864
8 special order 2, HQ 91st PA, 4 January 1865
9 [undated and untitled chart with officers' names] (two references: Finny, and Capt Finney)
10 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district [1], enumeration district [108], page 2 (image 422 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 15 (George P Finney)
11 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory
12 company H, list of commissioned officers (George P Finney [2 entries])
13 company H, list of non-commissioned officers (George P Finney [3 entries])
14 company H, descriptive roll, #92 (George P Finny)
15 pension index, by name (George P Finney)
16 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 September 1864 (1st Sgt Finney)
17 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 4 November 1864 (Sergt Finney)
18 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (George P Finney)
19 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania ([not named])
20 W C Reiff, 'Struggle for the Union. Trials of a boy in the Gettysburg campaign'. National Tribune 6 August 1896, (Capt Finney)
21 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 August 1891, #3452 (Geo P Finney)
22 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (George P Finney)