HON. JAMES C. MURRAY

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 674-675:

Hon. James C. Murray

(Attorney at Law, Nevada).

   James C. Murray, a native of Clay county, Mo., born February 10, 1843, was one of three children in the family of his parents, James D. and Frances Murray, née McAllister, both of whom were Tennesseans by birth.  The former was, for many years, actively engaged in merchandising in Platte county, Mo., or until his death in 1870.  His wife bore him three children, one of whom, a daughter, is the wife of Hon. R. C. P. Wilson, an influential and prominent attorney of Platte county; one son is also in that county.  James C., whose name heads this sketch, was for the most part brought up in Platte county, receiving his education at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., from which well-known institution he was graduated in 1860.  Upon taking up the study of law he read under the direction of Spratt & Merriman until the outbreak of the war, when, true to the principles which he believed to be right, he entered the Confederate service and joined Col. Elliot’s battalion of Lafayette county.  Afterwards he was with Col. Winston’s battalion, of Platte county, his military service ceasing in 1863.  Resuming his legal studies Mr. Murray was soon fitted for application to the bar and in 1864 he passed a searching examination and was licensed to practice.  Up to 1869 he was located at Liberty, where during one term he served as county attorney.  From there he removed to Kansas City and in 1871 settled near Iola, Allen county, Kas.  Here in 1876 he was elected attorney of the county on the Democratic ticket, a testimonial quite flattering to his ability.  In March, 1881, he became a citizen of this county and has since had a successful career.  For three years he was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, and in 1884 he was elected a member of the Thirty-third General Assembly of Missouri.  While in the House he improved to the uttermost the opportunities with which he was favored for making himself useful in the practical work of legislation.  He was honored with the chairmanship of the Committee on Insurance, and also served on the Committee on Rules, taking, besides, an active part in securing the location Insane of Asylum No. 3 at Nevada.  His entire record as a legislator as well as in other walks in life has been a creditable one.  While serving as chairman of the County Democratic Committee the party, which had to some extent disorganized, became harmonious and took the premium, a handsome flag, awarded by the County Central Committee of Henry county, as the banner Democratic county of Southwest Missouri.  In May, 1864, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Maggie Parker, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Mrs. Adelaide Parker.  Their four children were named Walter P., Robert S., Cecil and Eva.  Mr. M. is a member of the K of P.

[Transcribed by Julia Brown ]

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