L.W. Murdock, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
     L. W. MURDOCK, of the general mercantile firm of Lecompte, La., is a
native of Avoyelles Parish, his birth occurring there in 1856, also
attaining manhood there, the rudiments of his education being obtained in
the country schools.  Upon attaining his majority he left the home
plantation and engaged in mercantile pursuits as a clerk in Avoyelles
Parish, his attention being given to this calling here and in St. Landry
Parish for five years, engaging in the business on his own responsibility
in the latter parish in 1883.  In January, 1886, he came to Lecompte with
his stock of goods, and opened his present establishment with a small
capital, and has since done business on a strictly cash basis, as he had
previously lost money by doing a credit business.  Although he rented the
building in which he did business the first year, he purchased an
establishment of his own the second year, and for some time was in
partnership with a former partner in St. Landry Parish, W. C. Scott.  Since
the fall of 1888 he has been sole proprietor.  He is a keen and practical
business man, and the stock of goods he now carries is valued at from
$15,000 to $18,000, his annual business amounting to from $70,000 to
$75,000.  His store is 47x87 feet, his goods occupying two floors, and four
clerks are given employment during the summer months, and about six during
the winter.  His trade is rapidly on the increase, which fact speaks louder
than words can do as to the quality of goods he keeps, and to his honesty
and fair dealing with his customers.  His success is remarkable, for the
most of his property has been acquired in the last few years, and he is now
the leading merchant of Lecompte.  He was married in Cheneyville, this
parish, to Miss Clara Ewell, their union taking place in January, 1888.  He
inherits Scotch and French blood from his father and mother, William H. and
Alzena (DeMont) Murdock, the former born in Louisiana, a planter, and died
while serving in the Confederate Army, in Virginia, in 1863.  The mother
died when the subject of this sketch was born.