Maricopa County AZ Archives Biographies.....Murray, David L. January 31, 1847 - living in 1896
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Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 464, 467

  DAVID L. MURRAY. This gentleman, who is the treasurer of Maricopa County.
Arizona, is worthy and well qualified in every respect for the responsible
position he fills, and. being a whole-souled, generous man, is deservedly
popular with the public in general. He is a native of Greene County, Missouri,
born January 31, 1847, and the son of John and Annis (Sullens) Murray, natives
respectively of North Carolina and Tennessee. When both parents were young they
went to Missouri and there were married. The father followed farming all his
days and the closing scenes of his life were passed in Missouri. Industrious and
persevering, honest and reliable he was prominently identified with all affairs
of moment and held the office of judge of Greene County for some years time. To
him and his worthy wife was born one child, our subject, but by a previous
marriage the parents had several children. Our subject reached mature years in
his native county, attended the country schools and assisted in the arduous
duties of the farm. Later he entered the State University, but on account of
illness remained but two years. He then, for some years, was employed in
mercantile business. In 1873 he went to Colorado, located in Huerfano County,
and there engaged in stock business, which he followed with fair success until
1875. From there he went to San Juan County and was engaged in the cattle
business, meeting with unusual success. For five years he was surrounded by
Indians, but he never had any serious trouble with them. In the year 1883 he
went to Southern California, remained there a few months and in December, 1883,
came to Phoenix, Arizona, where he immediately engaged in the live-stock
business, buying ranch cattle. Later he embarked in the butcher business, and
brought his cattle, as he needed them, in from the mountains and supplied
Phoenix with first-class meat. As his trade increased he opened two meat markets
in Phoenix, and these he conducted for about six years. In 1891 he built a good
cold storage plant, the first one in Phoenix, and in this he could store twenty
beeves, always having his meat in excellent condition. In the month of March,
1893, he sold out his market and engaged in the live-stock commission business,
which he carried on until 1894, in the fall of which year he was elected
Treasurer of Maricopa County. This position he still holds, and discharges its
duties in a most satisfactory manner. Mr. Murray owns property in Phoenix, and
is very comfortably fixed. While a resident of Colorado he served as
Commissioner of La Plata County one term, three years. Although he started out
to fight life's battles with limited means, by force of character and unusual
determination he has made his way to the front and is honored and esteemed by
all. As a stockman he is thoroughly posted, having been in the business most of
his lifetime. But while thus engaged he did not lose sight of his duties as a
citizen. He has many warm friends throughout the Territory, and is very popular
with the masses. For twenty-four years he has been an Odd Fellow. He is also a
member of the Woodmen of the World. In the year 1869 he wedded Miss Sarah F.
Guthrie, a native of Missouri, and they have three interesting children—William
J., Lillian and Etta. Politically Mr. Murray is a Democrat.


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/az/maricopa/bios/gbs27murray.txt

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