The only son of George Taft and Abbie A. Murdock, who was born July 4th, 1846, in Uxbridge, Mass., at the age of twelve years removed with his parents to Millbury, and later to Worcester in the same state. His education was received at the Worcester and Wilbraham Academies, after which he entered the finishing room of the mills in the former place, and thus became familiar with the first principles of manufacturing. Coming later to New Boston, he filled the position of accountant until 1866, and then assumed the superintendence of the mills. Two years later he succeeded to the interest of a former partner, who had meanwhile retired. He ultimately became an equal partner, and for many years during his father’s residence in Worcester, assumed almost the entire oversight of the business, the details of which are still managed by him.
Mr. Murdock has been a co-worker with his father in’ his efforts to build up and improve the hamlet of New Boston, much of the active labor of which has been performed by him personally. He has been active in both town and county politics, and is at present one of the- town committee. He represented his constituents in the state legislature in 1878, and served on the committees on manufactures and milage. Mr. Murdock was, on the 22d of June, 1869, married to Arrilla R., daughter of Charles D. Thayer, of New Boston. They have one daughter, Mabel Florence, born December 13th, 1876.