BIOGRAPHY: Jacob M. MURDOCK, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 240-1
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JACOB M. MURDOCK, an enterprising and successful young business man of 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a son of John and Mary (Slater) Murdock. He was born 
at Ligonier, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1863.
     His father is a native of eastern Pennsylvania, and was brought to Ligonier 
by his parents on their removal to that place in his early childhood. When he 
grew to manhood he engaged in business, and conducted a large general store at 
Ligonier for many years. In 1883 he came to Johnstown, and engaged to the lumber 
business, and has resided there ever since. In religion he is an earnest 
methodist, and is a member of the official board of the First Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is president of the Somerset Stone company and of the Bare 
Rock Railroad company.
     Our subject's grandfather, Daniel Murdock, was a miller by trade, and 
operated a grist mill at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for many years. His maternal 
grandfather, Samuel Slater, was born on the old homestead, and resided there 
until his death, at the age of eighty-six years, in the year 1882. His memory 
extended back to the time when the Indians made their raids into Ligonier 
valley, and chased the settlers into the fort at Ligonier. The old barn on the 
Slater homestead still shows the marks made by the Indians' bullets. The red man 
of the forest has long since disappeared from western Pennsylvania, and under 
the direction of the grandsons of Samuel Slater many thousands of acres of the 
forest itself have disappeared. 
     Our subject spent his boyhood with his parents at Ligonier, and was 
educated in the public schools of that place. In 1881 he laid the foundation of 
his successful business career by taking a business course in the Iron City 
college, at Pittsburg. He then found employment in a saw-mill in Ligonier valley 
and acquired a practical knowledge of his future business. In 1883 he came to 
Johnstown, and became secretary of the Johnstown Lumber company. He retained 
this position until 1889. In February of that year he went into the lumber 
business himself. After conducting the business by himself for a short time he 
took his brother, Wilbert F. Murdock, into partnership under the firm name of J. 
M. Murdock & Brother. They manufacture and sell lumber at wholesale to other 
firms. Their business has grown from a very small scale the first year, until at 
present they are one of the largest manufacturers of their particular line in 
this part of the State, and now control and market the product of a large number 
of portable saw-mills. They are both interested in the Somerset Stone company 
and the Bare Rock railroad, which was built by them. Jacob M. is treasurer, and 
Wilbert F. secretary, of both the above companies.
     On January 25, 1887, Jacob M. Murdock was united in marriage to Miss Anna 
D. Young, daughter of the late Emanuel Young, who was for many years 
superintendent of Wood, Morrell & Co.'s extensive slaughteries and meat market. 
To their union were born three daughters: Sara E., a bright child, who died in 
1893; Florence Lillian and Alice.
     In politics Mr. Murdock is a republican, but in no sense a politician. In 
religion he is a methodist, and has held various official positions in the 
church. He is also a very active and loyal member of the Young Men's Christian 
association, and has done much to build up that institution in Johnstown by his 
contributions of both time and money. He was a member of the building committee 
that erected the fine Young Men's Christian Association building on Main street, 
and for five years has been a member of the board of directors. He is a member 
of Mineral Lodge, P. of P., of Johnstown.