Fonds med-29 - Murray family fonds

Thomas Murray (1882-1971), came to the NWT in 1903, settling later in the Medicine Hat area in 1905. Mr. Murray was employed with the CPR until 1913. On September 25, 1912, Thomas married Heather (nee Hargrave), daughter of former Hudson's Bay Factor James Hargrave (1846-1935), and Alexandra Helen (nee Sissons). (James Hargrave and Daniel Sissons, Alexandra's brother, established one of the first general stores in Medicine Hat in 1883, known as Hargrave and Sissons). Following his employment with the CPR, Mr. Murray was employed with the Medicine Hat Steam Laundry. He was promoted to the position of Manager in 1916, and stayed on in that capacity until his retirement in 1958. The Murray's were very active in the community. Thomas was involved in the Scouting Association, the Masons, the IOOF, the Board of Trade (8 years), the local School and Hospital boards, the Kiwanis Club and was a member of St. John's Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Murray was also active in the Church as a Sunday School teacher, as a member of the Riverside Book Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Medicine Hat Historical Society and as one of the first Girl Guide Commissioners in the city. The Murray children included Alexandra or "Zanie" (Mrs. Jack Ballantyne), Isabel (Mrs. E.C. Douglas), Lorna (Mrs. Jack Hutchison), James and Minor. The Murray's were predeceased by a daughter Aimee, in 1921. Heather Murray passed away in 1957; her husband Thomas, in 1971.