U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Murdock, James Eyster (b. 1842) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 833-834, J. E. MURDOCH. Brevet Captain James Eyster Murdock was born in Kingwood, W. Va., January 1, 1842. The father of the subject of this sketch, John Smart Murdock, was born in Monongalia county Va. (now West Virginia), January 14, 1809, of Scotch-Irish descent. He learned the blacksmith trade at Morgantown, W. Va., under Shepard Dawson. He came to Kingwood, W. Va., in 1827, working at his trade for a number of years. He married Rebecca Minor, who was born in Preston county, W. Va., and whose parents were German. To this union there were born eight boys and three girls: Thomas I., William B., Israel B., Marcellus H., Godfrey G., James E., Elisha H., Charles E., Susan F., Mary A., and Jane E. When the Civil War broke out and a call for troops was made, James E. enlisted as a private, July 4, 1861, from Kingwood, Va. (now W. Va.). in Company A, 7th Regiment Va. Volunteer Infantry (now W. Va.). He was promoted to brevet captain and rendered important service during that trying time. He was wounded four times: at Antietam, Fredericksburg., Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. For the wound received at Fredericksburg he was treated in Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D. C, two months. His battle list includes numerous hard- fought fields: Romney, Bloomery, Front Royal, Port Republic, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Robinson's River, Auburn, Bristoe Station, Bull Run, Mine Run, Morton's Ford, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, North Anna River, Totopotoing, Deep Bottom, Hatcher's Run, Ream's Station, Bardstown, and Cold Harbor. He was honorably discharged November 24, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. He has held the office of adjutant, Kelly Post No. 111, G. A. R., for a number of years; was elected township treasurer; was appointed postmaster under the first administration of President Cleveland; clerk of the Board of Education of Kingwood, fifteen years. He joined the M. E. Church at Kingwood, W. Va., February 1, 1868, under the pastorate of Coleman Wilson. He was secretary of the Sunday school for twenty- five years, only missing two Sundays in that time. He was married by Rev. Moore McNeal, of the M. E. Church, to Martha Ann Basnett, November 1, 1870, who was born at Cassville, Monongalia county, W. Va., January 14, 1845, and whose parents were of German descent. To this union there were born two boys and two girls: William Henry Murdock, born August 2, 1871; Julia Caywood Murdock, born October 2, 1875; Minnie Basnett Murdock, born December 5, 1878; James Eyster Murdock, Jr., born October 17, 1874. He was a charter member Brown Lodge No. 32, K. of P.; was mustered into the Independent Order of Red Men and the Order of U. A. Mechanics. He was in the mercantile business and for a number of years a clerk in a drygoods store, drug store, and hardware store. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------