William Murray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855
Preceded byThomas McKissock
Succeeded byAmbrose S. Murray
Constituency9th district (1851–1853)
10th district (1853–1855)
Personal details
Born(1803-10-25)October 25, 1803
Middletown, Orange County, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 1875(1875-08-25) (aged 71)
Goshen, Orange County, New York, U.S.
Resting placeSaint James Cemetery, Goshen, New York
Political partyDemocratic (before 1856)
Republican (from 1856)
SpouseEllen Maria Matlack (m. 1837-1875, his death)
OccupationBanker

William Murray (October 1, 1803 – August 25, 1875) was an American banker and politician who served two terms as a United States representative from New York from 1851 to 1855.

Biography

Murray was born near Middletown, New York on October 1, 1803,[1] a son of William Murray Sr. and Mary Ann (Beakes) Murray. His siblings included Ambrose S. Murray.[1]

Early career

William Murray attended the common schools, and was employed as a clerk in mercantile establishments, first in Middletown, and later in New York City.[1] He subsequently engaged in a successful mercantile career in Goshen.[1] In 1844, he was chosen as one of New York's presidential electors, and cast his ballot for the Democratic ticket of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas.[2]

Congress

In 1850, Murray was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing New York in the 32nd Congress.[1] He was reelected to the 33rd Congress and served from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1855.[1]

Later career and death

After leaving Congress, Murray engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was an organizer of the Republican Party in New York.[1] He served as president of the Goshen Bank from 1857 until his death.[1]

Murray died in Goshen on August 25, 1875.[1] He was interred at St. James' Episcopal Cemetery in Goshen.[3]

Family

In 1837, Murray married Ellen Maria Matlack of New York City.[4] They were married until his death, and their children included sons Henry (1841–1874), Robert (1843–1903), and William (1844–1897) and daughter Abbey (1846–1929), the wife of William D. Van Vliet.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Joint Committee on Printing, U.S. Congress (1928). Biographical Directory of the American Congress. 1774–1927. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1347 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "The Electoral College". The Evening Post. New York, NY. December 5, 1844. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Married: William Murray, Junr. and Ellen Maria Matlack". The Evening Post. New York, NY. July 15, 1837. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Death Notice, Mrs. Ellen Maria Murray". The Argus. Middletown, NY. September 20, 1895. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byThomas McKissock Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 9th congressional district March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 Succeeded byJared V. Peck Preceded byMarius Schoonmaker Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 10th congressional district March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 Succeeded byAmbrose S. Murray
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