Degree Recipient

Life Experience

William Pitt Murray was born in Ohio and was educated in Ohio public schools. He studied at Miami University and then moved to Vincennes. He attended IU Law School and graduated in 1849. That same year, he was admitted to the bar and moved to the Minnesota Territory to practice law. He served in the Minnesota House and Senate from 1852 to 1876.

Murray served on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Saint Paul City Council. He was elected Saint Paul city attorney in 1876 and held that office for thirteen years. In 1885, he helped legally prepare for and secure the future site of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Marriage and Family

Murray married Caroline Conwell in 1853. They had two sons and one daughter. His great-great-granddaughter, Janet Caughey, died in 2010. Her husband, Milton Caughey, was an award-winning architect of “midcentury modern” style who designed the Garred Residence, the Goss House, the Struere Hollywood home, Los Angeles’ El Sereno Clubhouse, and the Barry Building, now listed as a historic monument.

Interesting Anecdote

In 1854, Murray was influential in creating Minnesota’s first college, Hamline University, which is still in existence today. The county of Murray in Minnesota is named after him as well.

References

1. Wylie
2. Findagrave.com
3. Wikipedia
4. debbiesgenealogy.com
5. ignant.com/2016/12/13/hollywood-home-by-struere/
6. minnpost.com/mnopedia/2013/05/creating-hamline-minnesotas-first-college/
7. parkbugle.org/how-the-minnesota-state-fair-found-a-home/
8. Albert Lea Evening Tribune 06/21/1910