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Michele Bonham
jmbonham@attbi.com
Printed in the Toulon,
Stark County, Illinois, Friday, February 6, 1903 newspaper
Capt. Alex. Murchison
Dr. A. C. Murchison was
called to Kewanee the first of the week by the death of his father. The
Star-Courier says: "Capt. Alex Murchison, one of the best known and most
highly respected residents of this community, quietly passed away
Tuesday morning at 5:00 o'clock at his home on Division street, after an
illness dating back two months. At times it seemed that he would win in
the struggle with disease and strong hopes for his recovery were
entertained within the last few weeks. Last Friday, however, a change
for the worse was manifested and gradually his condition grew more
serious until death came.
"Capt. Murchison served
with distinction as an officer in the Civil war, and leaves an honorable
record for brave service in the cause of freedom and the Union, and in
the path of peace he also won an enviable reputation through the
sterling qualities which go to make a good citizen. His residence in
Illinois dated from September 12, 1849, when he located in Stark County,
where he lived until 1866, and for many years he was actively identified
with farming interests.
"A native of Scotland,
Mr. Murchison was born in Rosshire, July 7, 1831, and therefore had he
lived until next July would have been 72 years old. He had but limited
school advantages and could be called a safe-made man. In 1849 he
emigrated to the new world with his father and the other members of the
family, taking passage on a sailing vessel at Glasgow. Nine weeks
afterward they dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec. The family
proceeded up the St. Lawrence River and through the Great Lakes to
Chicago, by canal to Peru and by team to Elmira.
"Captain Murchison first
worked by the month, herding sheep, which occupation he followed for two
years. During the following three years he worked as a farm hand at
Elmira and then purchased a team and commenced breaking prairie,
devoting his energies to the pursuit for nearly four years. He next
purchased and operated a threshing machine and reaper. In 1852 he bought
200 acres of land in Stark and Henry counties. This place was sold three
years later.
"On March 4, 1860, he
helped to organize a military company which he drilled, and when the
Civil war broke out in 1861, at the call of troops, he entered the
service in Company B., 33rd U. S. Infantry. Mr. Murchison was
commissioned second lieutenant, but the following October was promoted
to first lieutenant and was made captain of this company soon after,
with which rank he served until mustered out when his term of enlistment
expired.
"As part of the army of
the Cumberland, the regiment participated in the battle of Stone River,
the Tullahoma campaign, and then drove General Braggs command across the
Tennessee River after some hard fighting. On September 16, 1863, they
took part in an all-day engagement at Dug's Gap, where two of Capt,
Murchison's men were killed and one wounded. They were in the battle of
Chickamauga on Sunday, and Mr. Murchison was rendered unconscious by
being hit by a piece of a shell, but the following day resumed command
of his company.
"He had command of his
regiment in an engagement in front of Dalton, in February, 1864, at
which time he lost two of his own company. He was at the battle of
Resaca, Ga., and was under almost constant fire for nearly a month
during the Atlantic campaign. His command was ordered back upon reaching
Marietta, and he received an honorable discharge at Chicago, July 9,
1864.
"Returning to his home he
resumed farming, having previously purchased 160 acres of land in Stark
County, and later bought 80 acres adjoining, in Henry County. This he
fenced, broke and improved and erected thereon one of the best country
residence in the community, together with good, substantial
outbuildings. In connection with the cultivation of his land, he engaged
in the raising of cattle and hogs and in his business affaires met with
excellent cusses. Having acquired a comfortable competence, he retired
from active labor in 1897, and renting his farm, moved to Wethersfield,
where he made his home until the time of his death.
"Capt. Murchison was
married in Stark County, July 3, 1866, to Miss Margaret Weede, daughter
of Rev. M. C. Weed, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the pioneer
preachers of Stark County. To this union three children were born, all
of whom, together with the bereaved wife, remain to mourn his death. The
children are A. Clarence, engaged in the practice of dentistry at
Toulon; Lorena K., wife of W. C. Palmer, of this city, and Miss Frances,
also of Kewanee.
"Since casting his first
presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, Capt. Murchison was
affiliated with the Republican Party and was a staunch advocate of its
principles. He served as a delegate to the county, congressional and
state conventions, and for thirty years was a member of the Republican
central committee of his township, serving as chairman most of the time.
For some years he was a member of the school board and also filled the
office of supervision and township trusts.
"He was a prominent
member and past commander of the Grand Army Post of this city and stood
deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Throughout his
career of continued and far-reaching usefulness, his duties were
performed with the greatest care and his business interests were so
managed as to win for him the confidence of the public and the
prosperity which always attends honorable effort."
The funeral services were
held yesterday afternoon, the G. A. R. being in charge, Rev. W. J. Drew,
formerly pastor of the Elmira U. P. church, preached the sermon. The
burial was in the Kewanee cemetery. |
