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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"William A. Murray"

WILLIAM A. MURRAY, the subject of this sketch, was born in Janesville, Rock county,
Wisconsin, July 30, 1866, the fifth of a family of nine children, of which six were boys and three girls, born to John MURRAY and Rose (BARRETT) MURRAY, who were both natives of Ireland. John MURRAY came to New York state at the age of twelve years, then moved to Wisconsin in 1854 and engaged in stonecutting, where he remained until he came to Janesville in 1855. He was employed by the Janesville Barbed Wire Works. He died February 14, 1904, aged eighty-four years. His wife died June 13, 1897, aged fifty-eight years.
William was educated in the common schools of Janesville and at the age of fourteen years started
out in life for himself, and was first employed by Samuel HENDERSON in the meat business, and was in his employ four years. He then started in the business for himself on West Milwaukee street, Janesville, which he conducted with success for four years, when he entered the employ of Nelson Morris & Co., of Chicago, as traveling salesman. After one year of traveling he again opened his market on West Milwaukee street, which he has conducted continuously since 1898.
In politics Mr. MURRAY is a Democrat and is popular with the people of Janesville. They have
honored him by electing him alderman of the Fifth ward for three terms and president of the board of aldermen for four years. He is a member of all the Catholic societies and also a Modern Woodman and belongs to St. Patrick's Catholic church.
In 1894 he was married to Miss Catherine MURPHY, daughter of Patrick MURPHY. There
have been three children born to them - William Emmett, Mary Hazel and Frank.
 
Taken from "Rock County, Wis." by William Fiske Brown, (c)1908, pp. 878-879.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated July 5, 2002
 
©2002 WIBiographies-Rock County
 
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