Thomas D. Murrin Biography


	This biography appears on pages 280-283 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at

	http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm


				THOMAS D. MURRIN.  

	Thomas D. Murrin, manager of the Hearst Mercantile Company of 
Lead, is an able representative of one of the largest commercial 
concerns of the state and is recognized as a representative business 
man of the city. He was born in Grafton, West Virginia, in October, 
1864, a son of Thomas D. and Delia (Wimsey) Murrin. The father was born 
in Ireland but in 1856 settled in Ohio, whence he enlisted for service 
in the Civil war, remaining with his come mend until discharged in 1865 
with the rank of captain of volunteers. After the close of hostilities 
he was engaged in various lines of occupation and in 1868 settled in 
Cheyenne, Wyoming. He later lived for a time in Nebraska but in 1877 
removed to the Black Hills, where he engaged in business for a number 
of years. He passed away in 1892 and in his passing the city lost one 
of its worthy pioneers. His wife survived for three years, her demise 
occurring in 1895.  

	Thomas D. Murrin received his education in a number of different 
places as the family removed from one state to another, but the greater 
part of it was acquired in Central City, South Dakota. He was obliged 
to put aside his textbooks when fourteen years of age although his 
educational opportunities had been quite limited He was first employed 
as a clerk in a mercantile establishment and in 1888 became an employee 
in the George Hearst store, now conducted under the style of the Hearst 
Mercantile Company. He entered the service of that concern in a minor 
position but his willingness to work, his quick intelligence and his 
initiative gained him promotion carrying with it increased 
responsibility. He gained a practical knowledge of all phases of the 
business and in 1891 was made manager of branch stores at Nemo and 
Piedmont, this state. After ably serving in that capacity for ten years 
he wag made assistant manager of the Lead store in 1901 and three years 
later was made manager. He is the present incumbent in that place and 
is proving an able executive. He has general supervision of all 
departments, the management of each department being under the care of 
its manager. During his connection with the Hearst Mercantile Company 
he has witnessed its steady and healthy growth and has seen it develop 
into the largest establishment of the kind in the state. He devotes his 
whole time to the interests of the company and his initiative and 
knowledge of the needs of the business have enabled him to inaugurate a 
number of improvements in its management. 

	In 1907 Mr. Murrin married Miss Julia Concannon, of Illinois. 
Politically he is a democrat but has never taken more than a citizen's 
interest in political affairs. Fraternally he belongs to Olive Branch 
Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., of Sturgis; Golden Belt Chapter, No. 35, 
R. A. M.; Lead Commandery, No. 18, K. T.; Black Hills Council, No. 3, 
R. & S. M.; and Naja Temple, A. A. O. N. 31. S., of Deadwood. He also 
holds membership in Lead Lodge, No 747, B. P. O. E. He is thoroughly 
equipped by training and temperament for his responsible work as 
manager of the Hearst Mercantile Company and the prosperity of the 
establishment is assured as long as he remains in control. Personally 
he is pleasant, affable, courteous to all and never too busy to spare 
the time to talk with a friend. He is one of the best liked men in the 
city and has the respect of all who know him