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Emma Mira Coutts Murray

Birth	:	17 Jul 1847 Cedar County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	27 Jun 1919 Peever, Roberts County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Palco Cemetery, Palco, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.2633018, -99.5674973
Description	:	Emma Mira Coutts was born July 17, 1849, at the Red Oak township farm of her parents which was located a few miles northwest of the then new and very small village of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa. She was raised and educated there by her mother with the help of her sister, Mary, and of course her brother, who was six or seven years older. Education facilities in the 1850's in Cedar County existed, but that is about all. The first schools in the county were started at about this time and Alexander Coutts, her father, was... Read More	Emma Mira Coutts was born July 17, 1849, at the Red Oak township farm of her parents which was located a few miles northwest of the then new and very small village of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa. She was raised and educated there by her mother with the help of her sister, Mary, and of course her brother, who was six or seven years older. Education facilities in the 1850's in Cedar County existed, but that is about all. The first schools in the county were started at about this time and Alexander Coutts, her father, was a member of the local board and was active in bringing the first schools to the area. Most of Emma's reading, writing and arithmetic were passed on to her at home where for a time the school was held. Her parents made certain that she and the other children could read and write and had a good understanding of arithmetic, history and the like. In fact, several of the girls became teachers and educators in their own right, thus proving that their "learning" was not neglected. Emma was a teenager when the Civil War broke out between the States, being only 15 in 1861. A boy she had met, James Boyd Murray, who had recently come to this country from Belfast, Antrim County, Ireland, lived nearby with his parents and he was one of the first to enlist. He joined the U.S. Cavalry and he and Emma corresponded. A few of their old letters have been preserved. Their romance progressed and letter writing and leaves finally resulted in their marriage on July 4, 1866. After James Boyd was discharged from the Union Army, he followed the trade he had learned while in the army, as a blacksmith. A blacksmith was essential as all the other trades depended on him. Horses had to be shoed, wheel-rims had to be shrunk onto wagon wheels, plows had to be hammered out and sharpened. Nails and numerous other vital items had to be made by the blacksmith. J.B.'s shop was usually the social center, as well as the work center, for almost every community in which he lived and generally the entire population knew J.B. had work of his and were thankful to him for it. Emma and J.B. Murray lived in Tama City, IA, Rock Valley, IA, and later spent a short time in Missouri. When Grandfather Coutts wife, Elizabeth, died in 1875, he made his home with the Murrays for a while and moved with them to Flandreau, Moody Co., SD. He bought a farm there and lived there until he died in 1900. Before his death, the Murrays had sold out and moved by covered wagon to Roberts Co., SD. There was a freak snowstorm in the Coteau Hills and the wagon carrying Jim, Emma and family was caught and stuck in snow drifts, and they were forced to spend the night with an Indian family. They were treated very well and given a bed and floor space to sleep on. The animals were fed and sheltered. One member of that Indian family became a good friend of the Murrays, was still living in 1979 and was a friend of the Murray's granddaughter, Vera Pederson (Murray). The Murrays and the Squires tried living in the then thriving town of White Rock, SD, but only Frank Murray, a son, remained there. The rest of the two families moved to Peever, SD. Later, son Charles and his family returned to Kingsley, IA, where they spent the rest of their lives. Daughters Viola and Maude taught school and Viola for a time was a pioneer telephone operator at Sisston, SD. Both girls married and moved to Canada, but eventually came back to California and Oregon. Harrison Murray was a mail carrier and lived in several states, but spent his final years in Sisston, SD. James Boyd Murray was a staunch supporter and member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and Emma a member of the GAR Relief Corps. They belonged to the Presbyterian Church in Peever, SD. They are both buried in the cemetery south of Peever, Roberts Co., SD.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Emma Mira Coutts Murray's memorial?
Emma Mira Coutts Murray's memorial is located at: Palco Cemetery, Palco, Rooks County, USA.
When did Emma Mira Coutts Murray death?
Emma Mira Coutts Murray death on 27 Jun 1919 in Peever, Roberts County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Emma Mira Coutts Murray's memorial?
Latitude: 39.2633018
Longitude: -99.5674973

Family Members:

Parent

Alexander Coutts

(1811 - 1900)

Elizabeth B. “Betsy” Epperson Coutts

(1824 - 1875)

Spouse

James Boyd Murray

(1839 - 1918)

Siblings

Children

Alec Arthur Murray

(1875 - 1940)

Harrison M. Murray

(1888 - 1972)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Palco Cemetery
Palco, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2633018, -99.5674973

2. Green Mound Cemetery
Palco, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2788800, -99.5120500

3. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Damar, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3046989, -99.6038971

4. Pleasantview Cemetery
Palco, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2332993, -99.5124969

5. Samuel Cemetery
Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3074989, -99.6782990

6. Eureka Cemetery
Webster, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3139000, -99.4552994

7. Zurich Cemetery
Zurich, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2271996, -99.4383011

8. Saint Ann's Catholic Cemetery
Zurich, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2310930, -99.4354950

9. Morlan Township Cemetery
Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2263985, -99.6977997

10. Wildhorse Township Cemetery
Wildhorse Township, Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3438988, -99.6866989

11. Alcona Cemetery
Webster, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4012680, -99.5429130

12. Nicodemus Cemetery
Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4082985, -99.6027985

13. Fagan Cemetery
Bogue, Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3633003, -99.7319031

14. Mount Olive Cemetery
Bogue, Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3939700, -99.6933100

15. Webster Cemetery (Defunct)
Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4199982, -99.4250031

16. Hobart Cemetery
Webster, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3847008, -99.3621979

17. McFarland Cemetery
Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4658012, -99.6660995

18. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Plainville, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2270510, -99.2889510

19. Plainville Cemetery
Plainville, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2256012, -99.2866974

20. Slate Cemetery
Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4879400, -99.5281100

21. Mount Vernon Cemetery
Stockton, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4660988, -99.4152985

22. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Ellis, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0294450, -99.5401140

23. Prairie Home Cemetery
Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1903000, -99.8566971

24. Memorial Lawn Cemetery
Hill City, Graham County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3927803, -99.8452072