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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Dr. J. N. McMurtrey, a prominent practitioner of Salem, and druggist of the same place, was born in Madison County, Mo., in 1842, being the son of Alexander and Rebecca (Powell) McMurtrey, and grandson of Alexander McMurtrey, who was a minister by profession. In his early life he practiced the Presbyterian doctrine, but in later years the Christian faith. About 1811 he immigrated to Southeast Missouri, locating in what is now Madison County, and was in that State before it was admitted into the Union. He was one of the very first white settlers in that section of the State, and a prominent man, being one of the pioneer preachers. Alexander McMurtrey, Jr., was married in Madison County, Mo., and in 1847 moved to Independence, Mo., where he died in 1850, while yet in the prime of life. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Rebecca (Powell) McMurtrey was born in North Carolina in 1802, and died in Salem, Mo., in 1882. After the death of Mr. McMurtrey, she married Samuel Aldridge, who is also deceased. She was the mother of thirteen children, all by the first marriage, and seven now living. Of this family Dr. J. N. McMurtrey is the youngest boy. He received his literary education at Bluff Springs, Tenn., and at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching, and followed this in Marshall County Ill., one term. In 1866 he commenced the study of medicine in St. Louis, and in 1868 graduated as an M. D. in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. October 21, of the following year, he married Miss Eliza J. Kindig, who was born in Woodford County, Ill., in 1847. To them were born six children: Jessie, Walter, Tessie, Clifford, Deane and Percy. After graduating Dr. McMurtrey came to Salem, Mo., where he entered upon, the practice of his profession, and this he has actively followed ever since, with the exception of 1870, when he was in Henderson County, Ill. One year later he established a drug store at Salem; has a first-class stock of drugs, as large if not the largest in Dent County. Dr. McMurtrey has a large and lucrative practice, and is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Dent County. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views, casting his first vote for Horace Greeley. He was postmaster at Salem from July to the fall of 1887, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. He and wife and eldest daughter are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dent County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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