Murdock, George Taft

The following data is extracted from Windham County, Connecticut History.

Elisha Murdock, the grandfather of George Taft Murdock, was a prosperous farmer in the town of Uxbridge, Mass. His wife, a Miss Chapin, became the mother of several children, of whom Fuller Murdock, one of their sons, spent his life in Uxbridge, his native town. He married Esther, daughter of James Taft, of Uxbridge. The children of this union were: Philina, born in 1807; Abbie Eliza, in 1808; Moses Taft, in 1810; John, in 1812; Charles, in 1815; Caleb, in 1817; George Taft, March 18th, 1819; Harriet, in 1821; Chapin, in 1823, and Mary Ann, in 1825.

The fifth son of this number, George Taft Murdock, is a native of Uxbridge, where, after a period of early youth devoted to school, he at the age of twelve years began those habits of industry which laid the foundation for future success. Entering a woolen factory he was assigned to the task of piecing rolls and thus acquired by his own exertion sufficient means to defray the expenses of his education at the academy at Uxbridge., and at Plymouth, N. H. At the age of twenty-four he embarked with a partner in mercantile ventures in his native town, and continued for six years to conduct a profitable business. Mr. Murdock then engaged in the manufacture of, satinets at -Millbury, Mass., and at Seaconnet Point, R. I., continuing four years in these respective localities. Removing to Worcester, Mass., in 1861, he established the firm of Curtis & Murdock, manufacturers of woolen goods. In 1865 he purchased the present mills at New Boston, meanwhile retaining has residence in Worcester until 1879, when the former place became his home. The property was at this time in a dilapidated condition, and the moral sentiment of the hamlet not such as to make New Boston a desirable abode. Mr. Murdock and his son, the junior partner of the firm, by their enterprise and determination speedily created a revolution in both respects. The mills were enlarged, new buildings of brick erected, and the community infused with a spirit of temperance and' morality which greatly changed the character of the place. The mills give employment to nearly one hundred operatives who are engaged in the manufacture of cotton warp goods, sold through agents in New York and Boston.

Mr. Murdock is in his political alliances a republican. He was in 1862 a member of the city council of Worcester, and in 1884 represented his town in the Connecticut house of representatives, being assigned to the committee on school fund. He is a strong advocate of the cause of temperance, and a supporter of the doctrines of Christianity. Through his efforts and those of his son a large public hall was built in New Boston in which divine service is regularly held. Mr. Murdock was in 1845 married to Abbie A., daughter of Alvin Robinson, of Mansfield, Mass. Their children are a son, George Thurston, and a daughter, Lizzie G., deceased wife of Horace E. Bigelow.

Source: Windham County, Connecticut History

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