Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1479
MURRAY, ALEXANDER B. (deceased), was for many years a resident of Springfield, and was well and favorably known for his industry and ability in the line of work which he followed for over thirty-five years. He was employed seventeen years by the Wabash Railroad Company as general foreman of their bridge building department. He had the good will and esteem of all with whom he was associated and at his death was widely mourned. He was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, December 27, 1850, son of Hugh and Margaret Murray, also natives of Scotland, where they lived on a farm. He spent his boyhood on the farm with his father and was educated at Peterhead. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter and bridge-builder, and at the age of nineteen years emigrated to America. He located first at Chicago, and was employed by various roads, becoming a foreman and contractor. He reached his position with the Wabash Road by reason of his ability and integrity, his career having been marked by industry and energy. He died May 31, 1904 and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield. He left a widow and eight children to mourn his loss, besides a large circle of friends. He was affiliated with Blue Lodge No. 71, A.F. & A.M.; the Maccabees, the Woodmen, the Court of Honor and the Scottish Clans. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in later life was a Democrat.
Mr. Murray was married, at Little Rock, Ark., March 18, 1876, to Miss Susie Spriggs, who was born in Muskegon County, Mich., daughter of William and Charlotte (Thornton) Spriggs, who were born near Liverpool, England. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray were as follows: Anna Louise is married and lives in Springfield; William Egbert is married and lives in Moberly, Mo.; Alexander is married and lives with his mother; David F. is unmarried and lives in Kansas City; Margaret S., married and living in Springfield; Jessie, Hugh and Thomas S., are single and reside with the mother, the latter two attending school. Before coming to American Mr. Murray had served in the Scottish Volunteers.