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HON. GEORGE W. MURRAY. The great political economist, John Stuart Mill, has well said, "The worth of a State in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it." Therefore the life histories of the industrious, honorable and useful members of any community afford a clue to the value of the section, as well as present good examples for young men to follow. The gentleman named above possesses some of the most sterling qualities of manhood, and although his life has been marked by no event of particular excitement, is worthy of representations in a Biographical album, and of the respect of his fellow-men.
Mr. Murray was born at Covington, Miami County, Ohio, July 7, 1839. He is of mixed ancestry, his grandfather Murray having been born in Ireland, but probably of Scottish parents, and his father having been a native of Pennsylvania. On the mother's side our subject is of German descent. The German language was adopted in the family of David Murray, and the son, our subject, spoke the language with his parents. His father and his uncles on his father's side were men of extraordinary constitutions and lived to a ripe old age, and they were also men of more than ordinary mental capacity.
Mr. Murray obtained his education in the common schools and in the High School of Dayton, Ohio, and so well did he spend his time that before he was of age he had become fitted for school teaching and was following that profession. In the year 1859 he taught at Mulberry Grove, Bond County, this State, and he afterward labored for several years in the schools of Dayton, Ohio. He began the study of law in the office of Gen. Moses B. Walker of the latter city, in 1868, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He was a member of the City Council there from 1869 to 1872. In the same city, October 2, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Neibert, a lady who is highly respected by all who know her. The union has been blest by the birth of five children: Ida May, Kate Lee, William Wharton, George Walter and Jacob Frederick. The older daughter is the wife of Samuel J. Haynes of Springfield, Ill.
In 1874 Mr. Murray removed to this State, locating in Springfield, and at once entered upon the successful practice of his chosen profession. He is keen of perception, cool and grave in debate although inclined to perpetrate a dry joke occasionally which is all the more amusing for being presented in his inimitably droll manner. He is one of those cautious and deliberate men who seldom give way to the promptings of passion or avarice, and is noted for his strict honesty and his unimpeachable fidelity to all trusts confided to his keeping. His manners are courteous, his address pleasing and calculated to predispose strangers in his favor.
Mr. Murray is a Democrat in political faith and is a shrewd politician without the reckless disregard of moral principles which sometimes characterizes the career of men of his opportunities and ability. In 1882 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the Thirty-ninth District in the House of Representatives of Illinois. While serving in the General Assembly he was always heard when questions of importance were under discussion. His constituents regarded him as one who worked earnestly for their benefit and who appreciated their needs. On April 15, 1890, the Hon. George W. Murray was nominated by the Democratic party of this county for the office of County Judge. He received a very flattering vote in the convention and was elected by a plurality of two thousand and ninety-nine votes over his Republican competitor.
The attractive residence of Mr. Murray is in West Springfield and for the past two years he has held the position of President of that village. He is a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is not identified with any religious body.