William McKendree Murrell

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William McKendree Murrell
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the Campbell County district
In office
December 6, 1893 – March 8, 1894
Preceded byR. Palmer Hunter and James M. Lawson
Succeeded byW. T. Simpson
Personal details
Born(1854-08-20)August 20, 1854
Rustburg, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMarch 23, 1935(1935-03-23) (aged 80)
Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Resting placeSpring Hill Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Flora Scott Withers
(m. 1882)
Children5
EducationUniversity of Virginia School of Law
Alma materRoanoke College
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

William McKendree Murrell (August 20, 1854 – March 23, 1935) was an American politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Campbell County from 1893 to 1894.

Early life[edit]

William McKendree Murrell was born on August 20, 1854, in Rustburg, Campbell County, Virginia, to Frances Cornelia (née Smithson) and John Cobbs Murrell. His father was a lawyer. He studied at private schools in Campbell County. Murrell was a student at the Classical and Commercial School in Lynchburg. His teacher was C. L. C. Minor. Murrell graduated from Roanoke College in 1874, third in his class. He received a medal in oratory at his commencement. Murrell attended the University of Virginia School of Law, but did not graduate in the class of 1876 due to illness.[1] He was a member of the Pi Delta Theta fraternity.[1][2]

Career[edit]

In 1877, Murrell started practicing law in Rustburg. He practiced with his father until his father's death on June 6, 1879. Murrell then practiced law alone.[1] On May 24, 1879, Murrell was elected as commonwealth's attorney of Campbell County.[1] He served in that role for almost 40 years.[2] On November 1, 1892, Murrell opened a second law office in Lynchburg.[1]

Murrell was a Democrat. Murrell served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Campbell County, from December 6, 1893, to March 8, 1894.[1][3]

Personal life[edit]

Murrell married Flora Scott Withers on November 21, 1882. They had five children, Arthur Koiner, William McKendree Jr., Frances Payne, Robert Woodson Withers and Dandridge.[1][2]

Murrell died on March 23, 1935, at his home in Lynchburg. He was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g University of Virginia; its history, influence, equipment and characteristics, with biographical sketches and portraits of founders, benefactors, officers and alumni. Vol. 2. Lewis Publishing Company. 1904. pp. 240–241. Retrieved April 24, 2023 – via Archive.org.
  2. ^ a b c d "Wm. Murrell Dies at Home In Lynchburg". Richmond Times-Dispatch. March 24, 1935. p. 8. Retrieved April 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Swem, Earl G. (1917). Register of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776–1918. pp. 212–213.