J. Clarke Murray
This gentleman is a native of the county. He has always been a farmer and since his 16th year not only made his own way, but supported his family. His ability as a successful agriculturist, as a man of business and as a prominent Republican, have brought recognition all over the county, as well as material prosperity. For 14 years he has been the active manager of one-half of the estate of the late Eli Gwynne, one of the pioneers of Madison, who, as farmer, real estate speculator, cattle raiser, exporter and banker, won great fame and achieved lands and fortune. Mrs. Marie Gwynne Crotti is the present owner, and the lands in charge of Mr. Murray for her, embrace thirty-five hundred and thirty-seven acres, on which are usually 70 horses, 500 cattle and 300 to 400 hogs. More than 20 men are continually employed. With the exception of wheat and clover seed, everything raised on this vast area is fed to the cattle and hogs. Indeed thousands of bushels of corn and shocks of fodder are purchased of the neighbors. Mr. Murray has demonstrated the profit of large farms, for in his 14 years, the value of the land and the amount of stock sales have constantly increased.
Mr. Murray manages a 216-acre farm of his own, and a 234-acre one for his mother-in-law, Mrs. Stout. He is a clever man of affairs, alert in business, popular with all. He knows the needs of the farmer, and will make an ideal commissioner. He is a prominent K. P., married, and with his wife and one son, lives on the Gwynne estate, which he keeps in apple pie order.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary - Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908