DAVID L. MURROW
The profession of law has assumed more and more
importance in relation to our life as the years have passed. As present day
conditions have become more complicated, life’s activities
present new angles and possibilities, with danger points and
pitfalls to be avoided, and business transactions have to be
considered from the legal viewpoint and properly safeguarded
before being put into execution. As the struggle for supremacy waxes
keener and wages fiercer, the lawyer’s advice, opinion and
assistance is practically indispensable and there is hardly an
individual who at one time or another does not stand in need
of legal help. David
L. Murrow, who since his admittance to the bar in 1901 has
practiced law in Corydon and has been connected with much
important litigation since that time, has built up a
reputation for reliability, knowledge and clear understanding
of the situation which has lifted him from among the many into
the ranks of the successful few. Although advancement at the bar is
proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him, for he
soon demonstrated his ability to capably handle intricate
cases and each year has brought him an increase in his
practice.
David L. Murrow was born in Poweshiek county, this
state, May 9 1871, and is a son of Thomas A. and Evaline
(King) Murrow. The
grandfather, Benjamin Murrow, brought the family to Iowa in
1850. He was of
Scotch-Irish descent and was a native of the state of
Kentucky, born on the 29th of August, 1802. His wife’s name
before her marriage was Sarah Blue, who was also born in the
Blue Grass state on the 17th of April, 1807. Members of the
family distinguished themselves by service in the War of 1812. Thomas A. Murrow,
who during his life followed agricultural pursuits, came to
Wayne county in 1883, and here he passed away August 16, 1912. The mother of our
subject was a daughter of John and Nancy King, who at an early
day came from Indiana to Iowa and settled in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
A. Murrow were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom
are living.
David L. Murrow, who was the fifth in order of birth of
the children born to his parents, received a country school
education. He
early showed a preference for a professional career and
decided upon the law as the one for which he seemed best
adapted and which would bring him the most rapid success. He entered the law
department of Drake University and graduated from this
institution in 1901, coming immediately after attaining his
degree to Corydon, where he has since been engaged in
practice. Since
1906 he has been in partnership with R. C. Poston. Mr. Murrow occupies
a creditable and enviable position at the Wayne county bar,
for he prepared his cases with great thoroughness and presents
them clearly and forcefully.
Never failing to command the attention of court or
jury, his pleas often obtain the verdict desired. His reasoning is
logical and his deduction sound and he is seldom surprised by
an unexpected attack of opposing counsel.
On October 31, 1893, Mr. Murrow was married to Miss
Estella A. Kendall, of Lucas county, Iowa, and a daughter of
N. W. and Isabelle Kendall.
Mr. and Mrs. Murrow had three children: Icyl I., who is
attending Drake University; Thomas Kendall, a high-school
student, at home; and Wilma J., also at home. Mrs. Murrow passed
away on October 15, 1909.
Mr. Murrow, however, has not only made a creditable record in his profession, but has devoted his services largely to the growth and upbuilding of Corydon. He is public-spirited and takes a deep interest in all measures undertaken in the interests of the city, and in 1910 was elected to the office of mayor, serving for two years in that capacity. During his administration important improvements were made, prominent among which are the waterworks and the sewerage system, which were installed under his direction. He gives his political support to the democratic party. His religious affiliations are with the Christian church, while his fraternal relations extend to the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the former organization he has attained high rank and is a member of the blue lodge, a Knight Templar, a Royal Arch Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Murrow is a man of strong character and has come to be recognized as a forceful element in the community, his sterling traits having won him the high regard and confidence not only of his clients, but of all those with whom he has come in contact. At all times he has been actuated by laudable ambition and this has carried him to success.