Aberdeen Weekly American Thursday, Mar 28, 1912
FUNERAL OF PIONEER FRIDAY
Remains of H. Z. Murray Laid to Rest in Riverside Cemetery
On Thursday, March 19, at the age of 84 years, Henry Z. Murray died in this city, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Reynolds. Mr. Murray’s death is the culmination of a long life well spent in toil and in overcoming natural hardship. As pioneer, soldier and private citizen he has become well known and respected by an unusually large circle of friends.
The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, and presided over by Rev. O. W. Taylor, and Rev. C. H. Burrows. The W. R. C. and G. A. R. were present in full force.
Henry Z. Murray was born in Canandaigua, New York on November 22, 1827, going from there to Wisconsin in 1843, at the age of 17, being one of the pioneers of that state. In 1883 he came to South Dakota. For twenty years he made his home in Carlisle township, but in the spring of 1903 he moved to Aberdeen.
While in Wisconsin, Mr. Murray, in 1864, enlisted in Company H of Wisconsin 51st. Infantry and shortly after his enlistment was made a corporal. He received his honorable discharge from the army in 1865 at Madison, Wis., and retired with the thousands of others, to private life.
While in Wisconsin he was occupied for a time as one of the horseback mail carriers of the government. He was united in marriage on April 15, 1856 to Mary Melissa Hayes, at Springfield, Wis. In 1904 his wife died, and since that time he has been making his home with a son at Bath, and with one of his children at Aberdeen. Mr. Murray was master of the little postoffice which marked the intersection of two stage moved to Wetonka, S.D.
Mr. Murray leaves four children, namely: C. H. Murray of Carlisle township, Mrs. R. F. Hefflen of Gackle, N.D., Mrs. J. W. Reynolds of Aberdeen and A. J. Murray of Bath, S. D. Besides the above children the deceased leaves twenty-one grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The children wish to express their sincere thanks for the sympathy and kindness shown them in their bereavement by the W.R.C., G.A.R., and other friends during the sickness and funeral of their father, Henry Z. Murray, deceased.
-C. H. Murray
-A. J. Murray
-Mrs. J. W. Reynolds
-Mrs. R. F. Hefflen
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith