GEORGE MURRAY

Sacramento County

Biographies

GEORGE MURRAY

GEORGE MURRAY. A man well known in building circles and an active citizen for thirty-seven years in Sacramento was George Murray, a native of England, born in 1838, in which country, he was reared, educated and grew to maturity. In 1865 he married Mary Smith, also a native of England. Soon after their marriage they came to the United States, remaining for a time in Baltimore, Md., where they finally set sail for California via the Isthmus. Determining to make his permanent residence in this state, Mr. Murray came to Sacramento, learned the trade of bricklayer and became well known as a contractor for brick work, building the foundations of many of the business houses, school houses and dwellings of the city.

Mr. Murray died January 6, 1904, esteemed and honored by all who knew him. He was very liberal in his views, and a public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all enterprises for the welfare of his community and his adopted state. He was for two years superintendent of streets under Mayor Steinman, a veteran Odd Fellow and a prominent Mason, in which order he took unusual interest. Besides his wife, Mr. Murray was survived by his four children, viz., George W.; Alice, of Sacramento; Mrs. C. A. Barnes, at home; and Mrs. C. A. Philips, of San Francisco.

Mr. Murray took an active part in Republican politics and worked for the men and measures of the party, though never an aspirant for office himself. He liberally supported all church movements and other worthy enterprises that had for their object the advancement of the city and its people. Coming to the state without means, he worked his way gradually to the front and became successful by his own efforts and strict business methods. His wife, who still survives him, returned to her old home in England for a visit during the summer of 1905, making the voyage alone when past sixty years of age.

George W. Murray, the only son, received an excellent education in the public schools of Sacramento, and upon leaving school worked with his father, from whom he learned the bricklayer’s trade, becoming a competent workman. Upon reaching his majority he entered into partnership with his father and their business relations continued of the most pleasant character during the remainder of the latter’s life. Since the death of his father, Mr. Murray has continued in the business alone, and does a general brick contracting business, being regarded as one of the reliable and skillful men in his line of work. He and his mother and sister Alice occupy the old homestead at No. 1716 M street, which has recently been remodeled and partially rebuilt.

Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Pages 1497-1498. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.