William B. Murray, a well known and prosperous citizen residing at No. 2012 Ripley street in Davenport, has lived retired since 1892 but was formerly actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of fine farming land in Lincoln and Sheridan townships. His birth occurred ten miles east of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1834, his parents being George and Esther Murray. The latter passed away in the Keystone state in 1853. George Murray, who followed merchandising and railroad contracting while in Pennsylvania, came to Scott County, Iowa, in 1855 and purchased two hundred and forty acres of improved land in Davenport township, the other members of his family joining him soon afterward. He later bought a tract of three hundred and seventy acres near Mount Joy but continued to reside on his original purchase until he took up his abode in Davenport, where his demise occurred on the 1st of May, 1887. His children were ten in number but four of his daughters passed away in Pennsylvania while yet young in years. Those who came to this state were as follows: William B., of this review; Anna, who is now deceased, as is also her husband, Albert Kratzer; Thomas, who died in the army; George, who has likewise been called to his final rest; James, a resident of Davenport; and Mary E., who is deceased, as is also her husband, John Hyland.
William B. Murray obtained his education in the schools of Johnstown and Summerhill, Pennsylvania, and after putting aside his text-books worked for his father in the store and also acted as timekeeper for the railroad men. On coming to this county he turned his attention to farming and after living with his father for a short time took up his abode on a portion of the three hundred and seventy acre tract near Mount Jay, which he broke up and improved. He built a nice residence and there carried on his agricultural interests energetically and successfully until the time of his retirement from active life in 1892, since which year he has made his home in Davenport. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his landed holdings by additional purchase and also received some property from his father. He is still the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of valuable land in Lincoln and Sheridan townships and is likewise a stockholder in the Iowa National Bank and the Davenport Savings Bank.
On the 30th of October, 1862, Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Criswell, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of James and Jane Criswell. Her mother passed away in Pennsylvania in 1856 and the following year she accompanied her father on the removal to Scott county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murray were born seven children. George, the eldest, who makes his home in Grinnell, Iowa, wedded Miss Eliza Coapley and has four children: Vera, Grace, Elsie and Mabel. Minnie died at the age of six years. James E., who is likewise deceased, married Miss Ida Garner, by whom he had four children: Walter; Hazel; and Martha C. and James E., both of whom have passed away. Albert, who wedded Miss Stella Regnitter, resides in Davenport. Elsie died in 1879, when but two years of age. Frank passed away when only eleven months old. William died in infancy.
Mr. Murray is a democrat in his political views and has been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. While living on the farm he held nearly all of the township offices, including those of justice of the peace, trustee and school director. During his two years' term of service as county supervisor the courthouse was erected and his name is inscribed on the corner stone of that structure. In the winter of 1894 he was the representative from this district to the general assembly at Des Moines. Public-spirited and loyal to a marked degree, he proved a faithful and efficient incumbent in the various offices to which his fellow townsmen called him. He and his wife are consistent members of the English Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. In the county where he has now made his home for more than a half century he is very widely and favorably known, for the salient traits of his character are such as have won for him the respect and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact. From "Vol 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
William B. Murray
William B. Murray was born in Summerhill, Cambria Co., Pa., March. 30, 1834, where he attended school, and worked in his father’s mercantile store; was also time-keeper and paymaster on the Pan Handle Road while it was being built. In March, 1855, he came to Iowa, and settled in Lincoln Township, and worked on his brother’s farm until Oct. 30, 1862, when he married Clara Criswell, who was born in Juniata Co., Pa., and was a daughter of James and Jane (McNatt) Criswell, Pennsylvanians by birth. They had three children. Mrs. Jane Criswell died in 1841. William B. Murray is a son of George and Esther (Croyle) Murray. George Murray was born in Scotland, and came to the United States when 18 years of age, and after following the mercantile and canal contracting business in Pennsylvania some years, he came to Scott Co., Ia., where he has since resided. He is a large land owner, and has retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. George Murray had a family of 10 children, three living, viz.: James C., Mrs. Mary E. Higland and William B. After Mr. and Mrs. William Murray were married, they moved on the farm where he now resides; it contains 146 acres, all under improvement, and valued at $75 an acre. They are the parents of seven children, three living, viz.: George C., James E. and Albert. Mr. Murray has held several offices of trust in his township; has been supervisor two terms, assessor, justice of the peace, township trustee, school director, and overseer of the poor four and one-half years. Politically he is Democratic.
Source: “From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co.”
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Among the many citizens of Davenport, the active years of whose life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits is James C. Murray, who owns on hundred acres of fine land in Davenport township, about two and a half miles from the Orphan's Home Road. He was born January 13, 1845, and is a son of George and Esther (Croyle) Murray. The father was born in Scotland and was the first of his family to come to this country. He settled and lived for a time in Pennsylvania, and then in 1855 came to Scott county, where he engaged in farming for many years. Later, having gained a success from his vocation he retired from active life, taking up his residence in the city.
James C. Murray was about ten years of age when his father moved to Iowa, but nevertheless his education has been derived entirely from the schools of Scott county. While it was meager compared to that given to pupils today, it amply fitted him when it was united tot eh practical training received at home, for the responsibilities of life and for the attainment of success. When he started out for himself in the world of work and men, he continued in the vocation to which he had been reared, and added stock-raising to the general cultivation of the soil. Chicago and Davenport were his principal markets, and his stock, always well kept, ever commanded large prices. About twenty years ago he rented his land, some of the finest and most arable in the neighborhood of Davenport, and took up his residence in the city. He has a comfortable home at 1517 Le Claire street, where he enjoys a well deserved rest from the hard toil of life.
At the opening of the year of 1880 Mr. Murray was united in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Susie K. Kober, a daughter of Christian Kober. One son, Christian, was born to them but passed away in early life. Although successful in his business, Mr. Murray has had no desire to enter the arena of public affairs. He has, however, joined the ranks of the Masons, and is not infrequently present at the meetings of the Davenport lodge.
From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
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Thomas Murray
Thomas Murray, County Surveyor and City Engineer of Davenport, was elected surveyor in the fall of 1867, and took charge of the duties of the office in January, 1868; was appointed city engineer in the spring of the same year, and still holds both offices. He is of Scotch nativity, born in 1845. His father, Charles Murray, married Miss Barbary Murray, and they emigrated to the United States in 1855, and located in Scott Co., Iowa, and are now residents of Davenport. They have a family of eight children. Thomas Murray attended the schools of this city, and having a taste for mathematics, naturally turned his attention to surveying. He is a Mason, a member of lodge, chapter and commandery. He was united in marriage in 1880 to Eva Daniels, a native of Scott County.
Source: “From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."
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George Murray
George Murray was born in Scotland, in March of 1810. he came to the United States in 1828, and located in Pennsylvania. He worked in the contracting business, and built Alleghany & Portage Rail Road, Pottsville Rail Road and a portion of the Pennsylvania Central, the Canal on Sandy and Beaver rivers, Ohio, and the Iron Mountain Road in Missouri. In 1854 he came to Iowa and bought a farm near Davenport, bringing his family the following spring. In 1875 they moved into the city. His marriage to Esther Croyle occurred in 1833. They had nine children, in 1882 when this bio was written there were three living. James, William, and Mary. One son Thomas, died in the war, a member of the 20th Iowa Infantry. Mrs. Esther Murray died and Mr. Murray was again married in 1854, to Harriet Morgan, nee Wilson. Mr. Murray was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Murray was also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Source: “From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co.”
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Charles Murray
Charles Murray, one of the prominent and highly respected farmers of Davenport township, was born in Scotland, April 8, 1850, and is a son of Charles and Barbara Murray. In the year 1856 the parents bought their family to the United States, landing at Philadelphia, whence they made their way to Scott county, Iowa, influenced in their choice of a destination by the fact that the father had a brother George Murray, living in this locality. On reaching Scott County he rented land from his brother George until his saving were sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm, and in time he became the owner of tow farms in Hickory Grove Township.
Source: “From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co.”
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