The subject of this sketch was born July 3, 1850, in Cronberry, parish of Auchinleck, Ayershire, Scotland, where he received a common school education. From his fourteenth to his nineteenth year he learned the machinist trade, of which he acquired such perfect knowledge that in later years he was considered one of the most competent machinists.

In April, 1870, he sailed from Glasgow in the steamship “Columbia” for New York, where he arrived May 16. Going from New York to Pittsburgh, Pa., he worked at his trade till January, 1874, when he returned to his native land in the steamship “Adriatic” making the voyage in nine days. August 3, 1875, he crossed the Atlantic for the third time in the steamship “State of Indiana,” and landing in New York August 16, located again in Pittsburgh, where he was employed at the new waterworks of that city till June, 1879.

Bro. Murdoch came to Salt Lake City, June 30, 1879, and, going to Park City, was engaged by the Ontario Silver Mining company as a machinist. In August, 1884, he accepted the position of chief engineer of the Anaconda Smelter company, at Anaconda, Mont., where he remained one year. Returning to Utah in 1886, he was again engaged by the Ontario Silver Mining company at Park City. May 17, 1888, Bro. Myron Gale Foote, chief engineer at the works, having lost his life by an accident, Bro. Murdoch was offered and accepted that responsible position, which he held till September, 1900, when after twenty-one years of arduous labor, mostly in the high altitude of the Wasatch mountains, he tendered his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted by the superintendent of the company, the late Bro. R. C. Chambers. He served his connection with the company for the purpose of bettering his health by living in a lower altitude and in a city where his children could have all the advantages of the best schools. Since leaving Park City he has resided in his own beautiful and costly residence on South Main street, Salt Lake City, which he erected in 1896.

Bro. Murdoch, being a staunch and uncompromising Republication, his party elected him twice as Alderman from the Third precinct of Park City, and the Board, knowing his business qualifications and strict integrity in all his dealings, erected him each time as their President, thus serving in that capacity for four years.

November, 1894, he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Utah, which met in Salt Lake City from March 4, 1895, to May 8, 1895, and in which he rendered valuable services for the mining industry of the new State.

Bro. Murdoch married Miss Lizzie Lindsay of Park City, January 1, 1883 the issue of marriage being two sons and two daughters.

After a lingering illness of several years the good wife died on December 4, 1896, and on November 14, 1898, he joined hands with Miss Lyde Tackeray of Croyden, Utah, one son being the issue of that marriage.
During the summer of 1901 the happy couple took a trip to the British Isles and France, returning to their home with pleasant recollections of their sightseeing and experiences of the voyage.

Bro. Murdoch although financially well situated, is a quite and unpretentious citizen, attends strictly to his own affairs, and makes the best of life for himself, family and friends.

Bro. Murdoch was initiated, passed and raised on the evening of April 7, 1874, in St. Thomas Lodge at Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland. Dimitting from his mother Lodge, he became a charter member of Uintah Lodge No. 7, Park City, Utah, which was constituted by Grand Master W. F. James, November 24, 1880, and of which he was Secretary in 1886; Junior Warden in 1888; Senior Warden 1n 1889; Worshipful Master in 1890, and Treasurer from December, 1892, to December, 1900.

In the Grand Lodge of Utah Bro. Murdoch was Junior Grand Deacon in 1890 and 1891. At the twenty-fifth Annual Communication, held January 21, 1896, he was elected Junior Grand Warden; in 1897, Senior Grand Warden; in 1898; Deputy Grand Master, and at the twenty-eighth Annual Communication, held January 7, 1899, he was elevated to the Grand East.

During his Grand Mastership the Masonic Centennial observance of the death of Bro. George Washington was held at Mount Vernon, Va., December 14, 1899, and neither distance, expense of the trip or loss of time prevented him from representing the Grand Lodge of Utah on that solemn occasion. It was an event that will live in his and the Grand Secretary’s (who accompanied him as his guest) memories as long as life lasts.

Bro Murdoch is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey since April 18, 1898. He was elected a member of the Masonic Veterans Association of the Pacific Coast January 8, 1900. His Grand Lodge number is 648; Lodge number, 19.

He received the Chapter and Commandery Degrees in Scotland, of which bodies he is still a member.

Bro. Murdoch died on December 2, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah