The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-12-08


Hon. \. E. Murray, the subject of this
sketch and whose portrait appears above,
| was born in a little log house on the east
side of Hog Back Mountain in the town
of Montville, Waldo county, Me-, on
October oath, 1925.
| His mother died before he was two
years of age. At the age of ten he was
turned out of his fathers house by a cruel
step-mother and never again slept under
| his father roof, having lived with friends
until 10 years of age, when his ambitious
nature led him to venture forth to seek
| his fortune. He first directed his steps
| to Boston where he did his first half
day S work carrying the Irishman's hod.
Mr.. Murray afterward learned the stone
cutters trade, working at this trade in
| the summer season and teaching school
in the winter
In the year 1858 he married Miss Sarah
+. Bean. daughter of jeremiah Bean, OF
Montville, a sister of Emery Written 5
wife, now of Pittstield In November
1856, his wife died In 1859 he was elect
ed to represent the "Plantation of Gin
ton Gore, ''-now comprising parts o.
Clinton, Durham, Benton and Albion
in the legislature.
In October following Mr.. Murray mar
red Miss Sarah J. Whitney, of Burnham.
In November, 1858, he bought the farm
now occupied by Hon. l. c. Libby ane
the hotel property occupied by John E.
Hart. Mr.. Murray conducted the hote
and carried ON this large farm until the
spring of 1860, when he sold out his in
Emery Written. and brought a one-hal
interest in the lumber mills in the village
One Of the mills burned down in thre,
weeks after his purchase. without any III
surance. Mr. Murray rebuilt the mill ant
conducted a large business until 1868.
when he sold out and brought a one fourtl
interest in the tannery and 10, 600 acres OF
wild land in the town of Alton. Me-, il
company with Daniel and George Milliken.
the firm name being Milliken, Murray
n Co. He remained in Alton several
| years then went to South Montville and
bought a grist and single mill and store
and stock of goods. In 1875 this store
was burned.
He then moved back to Burnham and
| bought the store where II. j. Gilmore
now trades and soon after he purchased
the Alilliken farm, one of the best and
finest located farms in town MI Muir
ray lived on this farm until 1891. during
which time he made extensive improve
ments on the farm and buildings when he
sold out to E. A. Nash and erected the
| beautiful residence here he now lives
MI. Mulray's present residence is one of
the finest i'll town.
| MI Murray and l. G. Libby built the
store recently occupied by {. f. Sherman
which was burned short time since
Nh. Murray now owns the Dr.. ID. Dyer
& Sons pill factory and business. He is
doing an extensive business in patent
medicines. Mr.. Murray keeps a team on
| the road selling and advertising his goods.
He is one of the leading men in town and
has held the Office of chairman of the
board of selectmen, has several times been
elected and filled with ability the offices of
supervisor of schools, town treasurer, and
and all the honors that are in the gift of IA
town to bestow at different times.
Mr.. Murray enlisted and filled two
quotas of soldiers for the late war
He was drafted but rejected. He has
been class leader in the Methodist Church
the most of the time for 81 years. also
superintendent of Sunday schools for a
large portion of the time. and is now serv-
ing his fourth ter II as Master Of >ebasti-
cook Grange. Mr.. Murray has been fore
most in supporting every good cause. is a
strong temperance man-ueVer drank a
glass of Liquor or used tobacco in amy
form.