McMURTRIE, WARREN L.

MCMURTRIE, SNYDER, PIERCE, KROMER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/11/2004 at 15:23:02

Biography reproduced from page 180 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Enterprise, industry and thrift have characterized the efforts of Warren L. McMurtrie through out his identification with agricultural interests and have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his present success in business. A native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, he was there born on the 27th of May, 1876, a son of Thomas and Martha (Snyder) McMurtrie, who were also born in the Keystone state, the former being of Scotch-Irish descent and the latter of German lineage. The father, who has always followed the occupation of farming, has passed his entire life in Columbia county and now resides on the old homestead, which was the birthplace of his wife and which has continued to remain her place of residence. On that place they reared their family of nine children of whom Warren L., of this review, was the eldest in order of birth. The others are as follows: Lloyd, living in Columbia county, Pennsylvania; Virgie and Clyde, residents of Berwick, Pennsylvania; Joseph, of Hetterville, that state; Bruce, who makes his home in Philadelphia; Iva, residing with her parents; and Hazel and Helen, twins, who also are still under the parental roof.

The public schools of his native county afforded Warren L. McMurtrie his educational opportunities and when not engaged in the duties of the schoolroom he assisted his father in the work of the farm, thus early acquiring a thorough practical knowledge of the various phases of agriculture. At the age of twenty, however, he withdrew from the work of the fields and went to Berwick, Pennsylvania, where he entered the car shops for the purpose of mastering the carbuilder’s trade. He was thus identified until 1898, when he came to Iowa, locating in Wright county, and was employed as a farm hand for two years. Then, desiring to be more independent, he rented a farm which he operated for five years or until 1906, which year witnessed his arrival in Kossuth county. Here he located in Harrison township and for two years rented the farm of which he is now the owner. At the end of that period he returned to Wright county, there again operating as a renter for two years, after which he once more came to this county and purchased his present farm, the place consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 14, Harrison township. He has since worked unceasingly toward its further development and today he has a fine property, well improved and in a good state of tilth, its excellent condition being due entirely to his careful management, his unfaltering industry and his spirit of thrift. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he also feeds cattle and hogs, selling to the regular local stock buyers and also shipping a portion of his stock to Chicago. This latter branch of his business is proving most profitable, and the success which is accompanying his efforts is most gratifying and substantial.

In 1901 Mr. McMurtrie was united in marriage to Miss Katie Pierce, their wedding occurring on Thanksgiving day of that year. Mrs. McMurtrie is the daughter of Frank and Jane (Kromer) Pierce, natives of Illinois, in which state they also passed away. There the father had devoted his entire attention to farming. In their family were two daughters, Katie and Laura, who after the death of their parents were adopted by different families. Consequently Mrs. McMurtrie has lost all trace of her sister and has been unable to ascertain whether she still lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McMurtrie have been born nine children, as follows: Hoyle, Madeline, Esther and Martha, aged nine, eight, six and five years, all attending school No. 6, in Harrison township; Vance, Irma, Clara and Fern, aged respectively four, three, two and one years; and Stearl, an infant. Fraternally Mr. McMurtrie is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, his membership being in the camp at Ledyard, Iowa, and he is a loyal supporter of the principles of the democratic party although he has never sought nor desired political preferment. He has preferred rather the quiet life of the farm, his capable management of his affairs occupying his entire time and attention although he takes a deep public-spirited interest in all questions and issues affecting the general welfare.