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Below is a family biography included in The History of Wright 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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William L. Murrell, a prominent citizen of Hartville, Mo., was born in Greene County, Mo., in 1844, the son of William and Frances C. (Cobb) Murrell. The paternal grandparents were natives of Tennessee, and the maternal of Germany. William Murrell was born in Tennessee, and there grew to manhood. He was married in that State, was a farmer by occupation, but moved to Greene County, Mo., where he was among the pioneers of that county, locating there about 1830. He organized a company for the Mexican War, was made captain of the same, and served all through the war. He then returned to Greene County, Mo., where he died in 1848. The mother died in Webster County, Mo., at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of nine children, of whom William L. is the youngest. He was taken to Wright County by his mother when about nine years of age, here attaining his growth, and was here educated. When the Civil War broke out he was eighteen years of age, and he joined the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, Federal Army, being in service for three years. He was at the battles of Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Little Rock and Pumpkin Bend, on White River. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., and then returned to Wright County, Mo., where he followed farming for several years, and still owns a farm. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of Wright County, and served two years. In 1862 he was elected collector of Wright County, served two years, and then retired from public life. After that time he was engaged on his farm until two years ago, since which time he has lived in Hartville, in order to educate his children. He was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah A. Boiles, a native of Tennessee, born in 1843, and to this union were born six children: Darthulia E., James M., William D., Noah A. and George C. One died in infancy. Mr. Murrell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and G. A. R., a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a Republican in politics.

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This family biography is one of 90 biographies included in The History of Wright County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Wright County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Wright County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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