- HEMAN MURRAY, deceased, was for many years a leading citizen
of this county. He was
- born in Columbia County, N.Y., in 1778, and was a son of
Reuben and Sarah (GUTHRIE) MURRAY. His father was for many years
a member of the Presbyterian Church, but in trying to reconcile
the creed of that denomination to his reason, he became insane.
He numbered among his near friends many of the most noted men
in the State of New York, such as Van Rensselaer, the Patrons,
Gen. Root, Mr. Bush, and others. To illustrate his wit, it is
related of him that at one time the two last named gentlemen
called, and while discussing the subject of religion, asked him
to describe heaven. He described it as a perfect paradise, with
a lawn smooth, green, and beautiful, adding, "there is not
a root or bush there, nor ever will be." At the time when
Mr. Van Rensselaer was a candidate for Governor, he canvassed
Western New York for him, and frequently visited Albany, New
York City, Saratoga, and other places on the invitation and in
company with that gentleman, who always insisted upon paying
all expenses.
- In 1775, when Lexington was fired upon and war declared,
Reuben MURRAY, enlisted in the
- Colonial Army, and at the time of the capture of Ft. Ticonderoga,
was serving as commissary. He volunteered to go with Col. Ethan
Allen to the attack, but Allen said "No, you must provide
for the men and cannot be spared." After the accomplishment
of their purpose, Allen and his men returned to the commissary
department for rations, which at that time consisted largely
of New England rum and fresh fish. On entering the place, the
smell of the two articles being so strong, the Colonel, who was
rather rough in his speech, remarked, "Reuben, this smells
as if you had damnation on tap." At one time Mr. MURRAY
was sent with dispatches across Lake George on the ice, when
his horse breaking through was drowned. Wet and thoroughly chilled,
he continued on his way on foot, until at length he reached his
destination. He was a faithful soldier, and any mission entrusted
to his care, was always faithfully accomplished. Though not a
lawyer, his practice in justice courts was large, and his advice
was often sought. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Reuben MURRAY
were eight in number, four sons and four daughters - Philo, Reuben,
Heman, Allen, Lucinda, Mary, Sarah and Aurora.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in his native
State, and was also numbered
- among the defenders of his country, being a soldier in the
War of 1812. He was united in marriage with Miss Prudence HALE,
a native of Connecticut, and ten children blessed their union,
all of whom grew to maturity: Theodore, the eldest, died in New
York City in 1831; Sarah became the wife of A. H. JEROME, and
settled in Onondaga County, N.Y., where her death occurred; Caroline,
widow of S. O. SLOSSON, is a resident of this county; Edward
D. came to Rock County in 1841, but is now a resident of Chicago;
Hon. William S., who is numbered among the pioneers of April,
1837, being among the first six settlers of Clinton Township,
married Miss Maria JARVIS, locating on section 19, where he always
made his home. He took an active part in the organization of
the town of Clinton, was the first Commissioner of common schools,
one of the first County Commissioners, and for several terms
was Supervisor of the township, serving as Chairman of that board.
He also represented his district with honor in the Legislature,
and was a man of more than ordinary ability, held in the highest
respect by all. He died in Clinton in 1877, his excellent wife
surviving him until 1887, when her death occurred in New York.
Charlotte J., the next child of Heman and Prudence MURRAY, became
the wife of A. H. JEROME, formerly the husband of her sister
Sarah, and both are now deceased; Heman H. died in the West in
1886; Louisa M. died at the age of twenty-three years; John S.,
who first came to this county in 1841, crossed the plains to
California in 1849, being seven months in making the trip, and
there engaged in mining for six years. He has seen much of the
far West, traveling extensively over the Pacific Slope, and in
Oregon and Idaho, and for two years was engaged in merchandising
in San Francisco. In December, 1866, he returned to his home
in Rock County, where he has resided continuously ever since.
Edward D., the next child, assisted in recruiting the 22d Wisconsin
Infantry, of which he became a member and was commissioned Major,
and also had two sons who served with honor in the Civil War,
James and Edward D., the latter being severely wounded at Chancellorsville.
George M., the youngest of the family, is engaged with his brother
in agricultural pursuits, they owning one of the finest farms
in Rock County. The death of Mr. MURRAY occurred March 27, 1857.
They were highly respected people, and made many warm friends
in the community where they resided.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 368-369.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|