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.

 

Return to biography list