Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
William H. Murch was born in Plymouth, England and moved to Canada with his parents, settling in St. Thomas, Ontario. He began his working life as a photographer but changed careers after only three years when he entered the employ of Archibald McLachlin, bookseller and publisher of the St. Thomas Journal. Murch worked for McLachlin for six years before going into business for himself. He opened his own bookstore and became one of the most prominent booksellers in Western Ontario.
In 1901, Murch sold the bookstore he had operated for 21 years and was appointed manager of the Southwestern Loan Company, a position which he held until its amalgamation with the Southern Loan Company in 1904. Following this, he opened the St. Thomas branch of the Huron and Erie Loan and Savings Company with D.M. Tait and managed the branch until 1915 when he opened a bond office.
Murch was a prominent member of the First Methodist Church for many years, serving on the Board of Trustees, the Quarterly Official Board and the Music Committee as well as teaching a bible class and singing in the choir, and he was the author of The History of Methodism in St. Thomas.
He was also, at various times, an alderman for the City of St. Thomas, secretary of the Industrial Committee, president of the Board of Trade, a founding member of the Elgin Historical Society, member of the Board of Management of Alma College, chairman of the board for the Public Library, secretary and director of the Times Printing Company, director of the Y.M.C.A. and Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias.
William Murch died on June 4th, 1924 and is buried in the St. Thomas Cemetery.