Fonds - P.W. Murray fonds

The son of Donald and Elspeth (nee McKay), Peter William Murray was born in West Zorra Township on December 2, 1857. In his younger years, he farmed alongside his father on Lot 18, Concession 2 before being employed, for a short period of time, as a business traveler (peddler). He would then take over the business of Robert Heron, of Bennington, Ontario. There, P.W. Murray acted as general merchant and postmaster of the settlement; first on Lot 20, Concession 2, and later, following a fire, on Lot 21, Concession 3 where he added a residence to the store. The property would later be sold to Ernest Emms and the building remained a residence-store until the 1950s. The building was eventually taken down in 1963.

On October 30, 1895, he married Louise Mary Osmond in London, Ontario and they would go on to have six children, with their oldest, Osmond, serving during WWI. Following his retirement, the family moved to Manor Park, a neighbourhood in London, Ontario, sometime between 1911 and 1921. He passed away at his home on Wharncliffe Road on April 7, 1928. Peter William Murray is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London.