Biographical Sketch of Thomas P. Murray, Johnson County, Missouri, Columbus Township. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Thomas P. Murray, a widely known and prosperous farmer and stockman of Columbus township is a member of one of the fine old pioneer families of Johnson county. Mr. Murray was born in 1852 on his father's country place in Johnson county, a son of W. W. and Margaret A. (Rice) Murray. W. W. Murray was a son of Urial Murray, of Irish lineage, a native of Tennessee, who came to Johnson county among the very first settlers. Urial Murray was born in 1773 and he was a typical Southern gentleman, kind, hospitable and prosperous. He was the owner of more than 1,000 acres of land in this county and a well known stockman. He devoted most of his attention to speculating in mules and in the years follow- ing his coming West became very wealthy. At the time of the rush to the gold field, newly discovered in California, Urial Murray left his farm and sought the golden treasure. This was in 1849. Mr. Murray did not share the fortune of the thousands who died on the way, rather the misfortune, but lived to return home with a large pouch filled with gold. Thomas P. Murray still has in his possession as a valued relic this old leather bag which formerly belonged to his grandfather. The elder Murray raised hemp extensively and became very well to do and prominent. Before the time of Warrensburg, when the county court was held at Columbus, Urial Murray was elected county judge, among the first to fill this office. He died in 1853 and his loss to the good citizenship of the county was universally mourned. W. W. Murray, the father of the subject of this review, was born in Missouri in 1824. He was given a most thorough education, considering his time. He attended school in Lexington, Missouri and was a graduate of Chapel Hill Coll- ege. In 1847, W. W. Murray and Margaret Angeline Rice, daughter of Pleasant Rice, the first settler of Johnson county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, were united in marriage. Margaret Angeline (Rice) Murray, daughter of Pleasant and Verlinda Ann (Ray) Rice, was born April 7, 1829, the first white child born in Johnson county. Margaret A. (Rice) Murray was a strong, sturdy child and very attractive to the Indians, who haunted the neighborhood, to whom the little white girl was something of a marvelous mystery and several times she was stolen by them. To W. W. and Margaret A. Murray were born six children, two of whom are now living: Thomas P., the subject of this review; and Bettie P., Holden, Missouri. Thomas P. Murray attended school which was held in the neighborhood of the Murray home. His first instructor was Miss Dora Morrow and later he was taught by Mr. Griffith and John McGivens. Mr. Murray recalls several of the early day preachers, among whom were "Uncle Bob" Morrow, Reverends Albert Moore and Prather. In early manhood, Mr. Murray began life for himself at the old homestead, engaged extensively in stock raising. He now owns 207 acres of valuable land, which are well improved and water- ed. He harvested this past season of 1917, 700 bushels of wheat and 650 bushels of oats, in addition to having 70 acres of the farm in corn land. Mr. Murray plated 80 acres in wheat last autumn. He is raising Poland China hogs. There is a coal mine on the farm and from eight to ten thousand bushels of coal are taken out annually. During the busy season, from two to five men are daily employed in the mine. Mr. Murray's two sons, Nicholas and Porter, have the active supervision of the farm work and they are making a splendid success of stock raising and farming. In 1877, Thomas P. Murray was united in marriage with Sallie Fulkerson, daughter of John H. and Henrietta (Ewing) Fulkerson, and to this union have been born eight children: Finis E., Holden, Missouri; Mrs. H. M. Fortney, Holden, Missouri; Mrs. Angeline P. Prather, Odessa, Missouri; Ethel A. Simonds, Crosstimbers, Missouri; Mrs. Lucy Lee Miller, Pittsville, Missouri; William P., Holden, Miss- ouri; John H., Holden, Missouri; and Nicholas F., Holden, Missouri. Sixty-five years ago, Thomas P. Murray was born in Johnson county. He has always lived here and during the past half century has witnessed the innumerable changes which have come with time, growth and progress. He remembers when there were three houses only between his father's home and Holden, a distance of ten miles. Prairie chickens, wild turk- eys and deer abounded and Mr. Murray recalls that once in his boyhood days he saw at one time deer, turkeys, wild geese, cranes, ducks and prairie chickens. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have long been highly regarded by the best families in Johnson county and enrolled among the townships most worthy and estimable citizens. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================