Morgan-Madison County AlArchives Biographies.....Murray, Albert Frank 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 8, 2012, 12:15 pm

Source: See below
Author: Smith & De Land, publishers

ALBERT FRANK MURRAY, President of the Decatur Oil and Gas Co., was born in Iowa
City, Iowa, in 1845. He was educated and grew to manhood in the city of his
nativity, and although a mere boy in 1861, when the tocsin of war was sounded,
like many chivalrons and patriotic youths, both North and South, he buckled on
the armor and went forth to face danger in the discharge of duty. During the
memorable battle at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 1862, he served as army director,
and afterward was placed in charge of the mail for General Rosecrans' army. In
1864 he was given charge of the News Agency of the military department of
Mississippi under General Sherman. In 1865 he located in Huntsville, where he
resided continuously until January, 1877. During his residence there he was
proprietor of a large book and stationery store, and in 1870 was one of the
organizers and for several years was treasurer of the Hnntsville Agricultural
and Mechanical Fair Association, and subsequently, in 1882, was chosen president
of the same, which office he now fills, having been unanimously re-elected since
his removal to this city. This association. largely through his efforts, has
become one of the largest and most successful in the South. It holds a fair
every year, and has never failed to pay since his connection with it.

  Upon leaving Huntsville he came to Decatur, and is here an honored and
prominent citizen. Coming here a stranger, his commanding personnel, established
business character and firm integrity, at once gave him prominence in a marked
degree, and he soon became a leading spirit in many of the enterprises that have
done so much to build up the town. When the Decatur Mineral and Land Company was
organized, he was chosen one of the Board of Directors, and, subsequently,
elected its secretary. He, associated with Doctor Eckford, organized the
Electric Light Company, with a capital of $10,000, in May, 1887, and is now its
president. He also assisted in the organization of the Decatur Oil and Gas
Company, with a capital of $200,000, and he is now its president. This company
has negotiated some of the largest real estate transactions in the town, and is
most influential in financial operations. Mr. Murray was also most influential
in organizing the Ice Company and in getting its factory in operation, and is
now one of its directors. He is also a director in the Cotton Compress Company.

  Mr. Murray was among the first to establish himself here after the move of
progress had commenced, as a real estate agent, stock and bond broker, and as a
member of the firm known by the name of Baldridge, Murray & Halsey, which is now
known as Baldridge, Murray & Scruggs. He is an adept in this business, and his
very general acquaintance in the North, and with the prominent men in Alabama,
gives him an advantage enjoyed but by a few.

  Colonel Murray is a man of splendid physique, imposing presence, graceful and
dignified manner, and most pleasing and instructive conversational power. He is
at the zenith of a well-developed physical and mental manhood, and is most
agreeable in his business and social relations. His life has been a decided
success, and this is not attributable to what the world calls luck, but through
superior business qualifications, unremitting attention-to what he undertakes,
and an inflexible purpose of rectitude in all his pursuits.

  A. F. Murray is a son of Malcolm and Minerva (Catlett) Murray. His father is a
native of Dublin, Ireland, and his mother was born in Kentucky.

  Mr. Hurray was married in 1864 to Miss Alice Reed, of Iowa City. She died in
1879, leaving him two children: Malcolm R., now of the firm of Murray & Smith,
Huntsville, and Cora P.

  Mr. Murray is a member of the Presbyterian Church.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical
Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land
1888

PART IV.
MONOGRAPHS OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA,
TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE.


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