Murray, Herbert A.

THORMAN, WATKINS, CHAMBERS

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/20/2010 at 11:28:28

Herbert A. Murray, a successful real-estate dealer and auctioneer of Waverly, has won an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the county. His birth occurred at Cedar Falls, Blackhawk county, Iowa, on the 29th of March, 1880, his parents being Louis and Louisa (Thorman) Murray, the former born in New York state on the 28th of July 1839, and the latter near Frederika, Bremer county, Iowa, on the 22d of January, 1847. Both are sill living and celebrated their golden wedding on the 28th of July, 1913. Louis Murray devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Blackhawk county, Iowa, throughout his active business career or until 1904, since which time he has lived in honorable retirement at Waterloo.

Herbert A. Murray attended a district school northeast of Cedar Falls in the acquirement of an education and when sixteen years old began working as a farm hand for others, being thus employed until he had attained the age of twenty-two. At that time he started out as an agriculturist on his own account and throughout the following six years was engaged in farming north of Waverly. Subsequently he disposed of his farming interests, took up his abode in Waverly and here embarked in the real-estate business, having already devoted some attention to auctioneering since 1902. He handles real estate in this vicinity, also deals in property in other states and makes a specialty of farm and horse sales. These interests now demand his entire attention, for his clientage has steadily grown with the passing years. He has an attractively equipped office in Waverly, owns two houses and lots here and one in Waterloo. His property holdings likewise include one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Lafayette township, this county, and a tract of similar size in North Dakota.

On the 2d of April, 1901, Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Faith E. Watkins, who was born in Waverly on the 2d of January, 1879, her parents being Ralph R., and Lydia J. (Chambers) Watkins. The father, a native of Illinois, was brought to Waverly by his parents when but six months old, while the mother was born on a farm in Butler county. They were here reared to manhood and womanhood, Ralph R. Watkins becoming a landowner and agriculturist. Subsequently he embarked in the lumber business at Waverly but later returned to his farm and continued its operation for a number of years and throughout the remainder of his active career. His last days were spent in honorable retirement at Waverly, where his demise occurred on the 5th of July, 1913. His widow still makes her home in Waverly. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have two children, namely: Muriel Janette, who was born on the 17th of January, 1906; and Ralph Watkins, whose natal day was May 9, 1911.

Mr. Murray exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which the country has to contend. In former years he gave his allegiance to the republican party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church and he likewise belongs to the Woodmen and the Iowa Commercial Men's Association. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state, and that he is best liked where best known is a fact indicative of qualities of character that are commendable, ever commanding respect and regard.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol II 1914