O. P. H. Andrews 1899
On March 1, 1870 O. P. H. Andrews, his wife and two sons, Frank and Stephen, arrived in Murray to make their new home in the new community. He was a carpenter and civil engineer. Shortly after arriving, he built a store building on the corner south of where the three buildings burned on Jan. 1,1968.He opened a general store which he operated for many years until he sold it to his son, Stephen Andrews, who built a building on the site of the south building that burned on Jan. 1 and operated a variety store, "The Fair", for many years, selling to R. M. Smith in the spring of 1903, shortly after a fire had wiped out two buildings north of his building, which was moved to the lot on the alley. That summer he and Dr. Freel built the brick buildings that burned in 1968. In the summer of 1870 O. P. H. and sons surveyed the cemetery, which has acquired several new additions since. I, being Earl Andrews remember my grandfather, Horton Martindale, and several others who founded the Murray record. He also helped build the Baptist church which was the first church in Murray. It also served as the school for a time and the Methodist congregation used it also. In the summer of 1870, my father set out several maples around their home, which is located two blocks east of the business district. Last fall there were still two or three of these standing. My grandparents were active in social and civic affairs and helped build the town to the prosperity it has enjoyed. My father worked |
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Andrews 1887
with his brother in the building trade for some time after selling his store and then was a salesman for several years until moving to Minnesota. His brother, Frank, who was a contractor and builder, built the wind operated mill in the 1890's, but lack of wind caused him to tear it down in 1900; he then built an opera house on the site, and this burned in 1912 and was later replaced by a dwelling which is still standing. He also built a round barn northwest of Murray and to the best of my knowledge is still in use. There are a number of houses still in use around Murray that were built by my grandfather and his sons. I have a ledger used by my grandfather in 1887, and there are a number of persons named who still have relatives in and around Murray. Earl M. Andrews |
