Agency Histories

Eli Houston Murray was born in Cloverport, KY on February 10, 1843. During the Civil War he joined the Union side and was made a Major November 12, 1861. The next year he was promoted to Colonel October 9, 1862. After the war he was made a Brevet Brigadier General March 25, 1865. After the war he entered the newspaper business and became the Editor and Manager of the Louisville Daily Commercial. He decided to study the law. After graduating from the University of Louisville he studied under his half-brother Governor Crittenden. He soon began to practise the law in Owensboro, KY. He was made a US Marshal for Kentucky 1866-1876. During this time he married Evelyn Neale in January 1876. Politically, Murray was a republican. Even though he had little experience in politics he was appointed Utah Territorial Governor 1880-March 1886. He resigned early because he butted heads with some local leaders. It seems that a large enough group of people liked him because they named Murray City, UT after him. Murray moved to California and became interested in railroads and land speculation. Eventually, he returned to Kentucky and died at Bowling Green, KY on November 18, 1896.