My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE H. MURDOCH, Jr. In the professional circles of southwestern Michigan, the name of Mr. Murdoch is a familiar one, and he is recognized as one of the brilliant luminaries of the Bar of Benton Harbor. He is a young man, and undoubtedly added honors will come to him as the years go by. Having always resided in Berrien County, he is well known among the people of the county, and his abilities are such that his fellow-citizens take just pride in his attainments. The parents of our subject are George H. and Elizabeth (Kimball) Murdoch, natives of Pennsylvania, who were numbered among the early settlers of Berrien County, George H. was born here on the 8th of September, 1862, and acquired a good education in the common schools. In his youth he learned the trade of a printer, but never followed that occupation. Prior to learning the printer’s trade, he entered the Ann Arbor High School and prosecuted his studies there for one year, returning home at the age of nineteen. It had always been his ambition to become a professional man, and law possessed especial attractions for him, but, although he read Blackstone for a time, he did not then complete his legal studies.

At the age of twenty, Mr. Murdoch became editor of the Berrien County Journal and remained in that position for three years. Later he was largely instrumental in the organization of a stock company, known as the People’s Printing Company, which he conducted for a time and then sold out. In 1886 he entered the law department of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he remained for one year. July 25, 1887, he was admitted to practice at the Bar of the State, and opened an office at Niles, where he remained for six months. While at Niles, he was asked to accept the editorship of L’Anse Central, at West Superior, and he assumed the duties of that position, remaining in that city for three years. Returning to Berrien County, he opened a law office at Berrien Springs and conducted a good practice there for one year.

The year 1891 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Murdoch in Benton Harbor, and although his residence in this city has been for a comparatively brief period, he is already well known as a successful and skillful attorney-at-law. Personally, he is a genial and affable young gentleman, and his pleasant disposition wins for him a host of warm friends. In his political belief he is a Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party principles. He served as Circuit Court Commissioner of Berrien County for two years and has filled other positions of honor. In the fall of 1892, he was nominated for the position of City Attorney on the Democratic ticket, but, Berrien County being strongly Republican, he was defeated. His popularity is indicated by the fact that he ran considerably ahead of the ticket, and was defeated only by a very small majority.

The marriage of Mr. Murdoch was solemnized in June of 1888 to Miss Martha, daughter of Ethan A. Brown, formerly a member of the Michigan State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch are the parents of one daughter, Adeline.