William W. Murray 1850-1934

MURRAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/24/2024 at 20:27:51

William Wilkins Murray
(July 2, 1850 – September 8, 1934)

Obituary
William Wilkins Murray, son of Neil and Belle Murray, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 2, 1850 and passed away at his home in Rockwell City, Sept. 8, 1934, aged 84 years, 2 months and 6 days. When he was about five years of age he moved to a farm near Vandalia, Jasper County, Iowa, with his parents. Here he grew to manhood, worked on a farm, received his education, and learned the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed for 27 years. On Feb. 24, 1877, he was united in marriage to Julia M. Martin, to which union seven children were born. When the town of Runnells, Iowa was first chartered, he built the first house in the town, and he himself, with his family built and occupied the second one. They lived here for about 30 years during which time he was engaged in a number of occupations and public offices, including a term of 16 years as justice of the peace. In 1913 he moved to Rockwell City where with his family he made his home with the exception of two years when they again resided in Runnells. In 1926 he was appointed justice of the peace to fill out an unexpired term and thru successive re-elections he had held this office ever since. On July 18, 1883, he was made a Master Mason in Faithful Lodge No. [illegible] A. F. and A. M.; one of the 15 charter members of the lodge. Due to the fact that he was a charter member, he continued his membership there even after leaving, and at the time of his death was its oldest living member. A little over a year ago he was awarded the fifty year certificate from that lodge. On Jan. 27, 1823, he united with the Presbyterian church of Rockwell City. For several years he had not been in good health and especially during the last two years his strength seemed to be gradually leaving. His final illness came two weeks ago when he was stricken during the night from which illness he could not recover and passed away at 10 p.m. last Saturday night without undue suffering or pain. Mr. Murray took great pride in his work, especially his duties as justice of the peace. It was the business of this office which kept crowding into his memory at the last. In every way he had been a loyal and upright citizen, a faithful husband and father. His life speaks for itself. In integrity and honesty, faithfulness in the performance of every duty, and in his desire to be true to his religious convictions, he had won the respect and affection of all who knew him. There remain to mourn his loss, his wife, Mrs. Julia M. Murray; one son, George M., of San Francisco, Cal.; one daughter, Alice Marie, of Des Moines, two brothers, Charles Murray of Rhodes, Iowa, and R. F. Murray of Des Moines; a sister, Mrs. R. L. Anderson of Vandalia, a grandson, Wilmot C. Torrance, of Rockwell City and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss his friendship and counsel. Source – Rockwell City Advocate and Calhoun County Republican, Rockwell City, Iowa, Thursday, Sep. 20, 1934, p.5