George W. Murray, 1861-1922

MURRAY

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/23/2009 at 07:41:32

GEO. W. MURRAY DIED SUDDENLY ON LAST SUNDAY
Well Known Stock Breeder of This County Called
FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON
Heart Disease Cause of Death--Had Retired From Active Business Life

George Murray is dead. News of his sudden passing away swept throughout the city last Sunday afternoon and came as a profound shock to every resident of Estherville. Sick but a day, cut down just as he was beginning to enjoy the fruit of his live's labor, make this death all the more sad to the hundreds and hundreds of friends who are still dazed by the sudden coming of the death messenger. He will be missed greatly in the activities of this life, for he was a man who stood for progress, for the uplifting of the community he called home, staunch and loyal to his friends and above all a kind and devoted husband and father.

There is perhaps no man left in our community who has done more to advertise Estherville, to bring people in this community than Mr. Murray. For years he conducted the Countryside Stock Farm, just east of the city, devoting his time and attention to the raising of pure bred Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Duroc hogs. And there were few days passed while he wad engaged in active business but what some one came from a distance to purchase his stock. He was one of the leading breeders of the state of Iowa and his reputation with all was one of fair dealing and honest treatment. In that business he made many warm friends throughout the middle west and his name and the name of Estherville and his farm were known far and wide in livestock circles. About two years ago he disposed of his beautiful farm home and retired from active business. He spent the winter in Texas, returning here in the spring. He then built a home on the banks of Spirit Lake, where he and his wife spent their summers, coming to Estherville to spend the winter. He was in a position to spend many ears in comfort, made possible by his strict attention to business and his splendid ability along that line. And yet it was not to be. The messenger beckoned and he slipped quietly over the river, to rest from the cares of this life. On Saturday he was apparently as well as he had ever been. He spent a part of the afternoon at the Elks club rooms where he participated in several games of volley ball. Upon returning to the Gardston hotel he complained of not feeling well and went to his room to lie down. He grew worse and a doctor was summoned. He continued to grown worse until Sunday afternoon, when the end came about four o'clock.

George W. Murray was born in Sheridan, Ohio, on March 12, 1861. While yet a child his parents passed away, and he went to make his home with an uncle, George Wells, who lived in Grundy county, this state. He stayed with his uncle until 1881, when he started out for himself. The next twelve years were spent in getting the experience which afterward made his life the success it was. In 1893 he formed a partnership with his uncle and came to Kossuth county, where he settled on a farm belonging to Mr. Wells. In 1908 he came to Emmet county and purchased the site of County Side Farm. Once located on it, he spared neither time nor money to make it the finest place in northwest Iowa. The improvements at the farm are unsurpassed in any part of this community. The land was placed in a high state of cultivation and he fed all that was raised on the farm to his fine stock.

In 1892 he was married to Miss Frances Gaines of St. Paul, Minn. To this union two children were born, John G. of this city and Miss Kathryn, of Washington, D. C. They, with the wife and mother are left to mourn the death of a devoted parent. [He died 15 Jan 1922]

Funeral services were held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Keating this afternoon, in charge of the Rev. Alvin Scollay Hock of the Episcopal church. The Masonic fraternity of which he was an esteemed member, acted as an escort and had charge of the services at the grave. Many friends were present to pay their last tribute to the memory of a true friend and associate.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Sources: Estherville Democrat, Estherville, Emmet County,Iowa; January 18, 1922 and Emmet County, IA death records.