My Genealogy Hound

George P. Murrell, proprietor of the Austin Nursery, which is the only nursery in Lonoke County, and the largest in the State, is doing an extensive business. Mr. Murrell was born in Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn., March 12, 1848, and was the son of William and Nancy (Mitchell) Murrell. The former was born in Alabama, April 2, 1809, from which State he moved in 1830, going first to Kentucky, then to Tennessee, and afterward settling in this county, where he died August 21, 1887. His wife was a native of Alabama, and was born in about 1812, dying January 31, 1869. She left ten children, four of whom are still living. George P. Murrell came to this county with his parents at the age of twelve years, and was married here in 1869, to Alice J. Skillern, whose birth occurred in Madison County, Tenn., October 18, 1850. She was the daughter of I. C. A. Skillern, one of the first settlers in Lonoke County. They are the parents of five children: George A., Ione H., Corinne A., Gertrude F. and Louie Marvin. Mr. Murrell was first engaged as clerk and book-keeper at Austin, and afterward went on the road as notion salesman. In 1869 he embarked in the mercantile business at Austin, in which he continued for three years. He next went on a farm, and in 1872 started the Austin Nursery. He has about 155 acres of fine land, with 110 acres under cultivation, and 100 acres of which are in all kinds of nursery stock. Mr. and Mrs. Murrell are both members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Murrell is a prominent Democrat of his county, and a highly respected citizen.