Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1013 - 1014 

DONALD McMURCHY, a pioneer of this county, now owns a large and valuable farm and is extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, including stock-raising. His present farm, to which he removed in 1884, is pleasantly located on section 29, Kechi Township, and is easily accessible from Wichita, as it is on the route of the Valley Center Motor Line. As is indicated by the view which will be found on another page, it is a beautiful and home-like place, with ample accommodations for the comfort and pleasure of the family as well as for the care and shelter of the domestic animals.

             Mr. McMurchy was born in Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, May 1, 1837, and is the eldest of the five children of Archibald and Margaret (McInnes) McMurchy. His father was an officer in the British army, and served in a Scotch regiment during the Napoleonic wars. His paternal uncle, John McMurchy, was an officer in the British navy, under Admiral Nelson, being present at the battle of Trafalgar and other noted engagements, and for his services received a liberal pension from the British Government. His paternal grandparents were natives of Scotland, the grandmother being Isabella Campbell, a near relative of Mary Campbell, the "Highland Mary" immortalized in verse by the poet Burns. The maternal grandparents were Donald and Mary McInnes, the former a ship-builder on the River Clyde. His maternal uncle is proprietor and head physician of one of the most noted sanitariums in Scotland. This is situated on the "Brig of Allan," Hirlingshire, called by some the Scottish Graffenburg.

             Mr. McMurchy grew to man's estate in his native land, and upon leaving school, where he was fairly educated, he was apprenticed to a jeweler. This business, however, not suiting his tastes, he turned his face toward America, embarking on a sailing-vessel, the "Chieftain," from Glasgow, on the 6th of June, 1855. After a stormy voyage of six weeks and three days he landed at Quebec, Canada, and settled in Port Darlington. He first attended school at Newcastle, and subsequently pre-empted 200 acres of land and engaged in farming. Later he went to Rockford, where he pursued the same occupation nearly three years. Then believing that he could do better in the States, he in 1871 came to Kansas, and for the following two winters was settled at Valley Center. He took up a claim under the homestead law in what is now Sherman Township, of which he subsequently sold 160 acres in the same township. His home farm comprises 430 acres of fertile land, under good cultivation and well stocked with Kentucky trotting horses and high-grade Durham cattle. Of this land he rents a goodly portion.

             Our subject was married at Wichita in December, 1878, to Miss Hester Ann Sullivan, who was born in Canada in 1842, and is the fifth child of Thomas and Adaline (Rude) Sullivan. Mrs. Sullivan now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. McMurchy.

             Since becoming a citizen of this Republic Mr. McMurchy has been loyal in his allegiance to the Government, faithfully and honorably performing his duties as a member of the body politic. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace of Sherman Township, has been Road Commissioner, and is at present School Director. In politics he votes with the Republican party. He and his worthy wife belong to the Presbyterian Church; they are devoted to its interests, zealous in assisting its efforts for the moral elevation of society, and contribute liberally to its charitable work. Our subject is essentially a self-made man, and has accumulated his wealth by sticking to his work with a resolute will, patiently enduring the hardships of a pioneer life that he might in the end profit thereby, and the result has amply justified the shrewd and intelligent foresight of this clear-headed, energetic man. Socially, Mr. McMurchy belongs to Lodge No. 99, A. F. & A. M., of Wichita.

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