SAMUEL A. MURDOCK, junior editor of the Democrat, Havana; was born in Mt. Holly, N. J., Jan. 12,1848, and is a son of N. R. and Phoebe B. (Scott) Murdock. In 1848, his father moved to Illinois, and located in Mason Co., and, after remaining some years, returned to New Jersey, where he resided until 1854, when he again removed to Mason Co., where he still lives. The subject of this sketch has four brothers living:  John S., Charles H. (now in the regular army, and 1st Duty Sergeant of Co. F, 6th U. S. Infantry, stationed at Ft. Buford, Dakota), James R. and William M., and one dead, Jacob L. Three sisters, two living; Sarah C. and Mary E., living, and Hannah Elmira, dead. Two half-brothers living, Andrew J. and Thorras K. Mr. Murdock spent his early lite on a farm, until his enlistment in the late war, from which he was mustered out in October, 1865. He served in Co. F, llth III. Cav., of which R. G. Ingersoll was the first Colonel. After his discharge from the army, he worked on a farm until February, 1868, when he went to New Jersey, and attended school five months, then returned to Illinois, in October, and commenced teaching. He taught and went to school alternately, until 1875, when he commenced the study of law with Fullerton & Wallace, arid remained with them until admitted to the bar, in January, 1878, before the Supreme Court. In April, 1878, he was elected Assessor of Havana Township, and. in August. 1878, in connection with John F. Mounts, he bought the Havana Democrat, in which he is a partner, and of which he is junior editor. In April, 1879, he was again elected Assessor of the township. Is a member of the Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F., and of State Encampment, No. 34, I. O. O. F., also of Havana Lodge, No. 743, Knights of Honor. He was married, Sept. 23, 1877, to Miss Minnie Eagles, daughter of T. M. and Agnes (Fink) Eagles, of Indiana. They have one daughter, Phoebe Agnes.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer