1. George Murdoch was born in Paisley, Scotland, on April 29,1850, and at the age of four, Murdoch emigrated to Canada in 1854 and settled in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he spent much of his earlier years.
10 Facts About George Murdoch
1. 2.
At the age of 18 Murdoch moved to Chicago, where he learned the trade of saddle and harness making.
3.
George Murdoch returned to New Brunswick after his shop was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.
4.
On May 13,1883, George Murdoch arrived in Calgary at the age of 33, just months before the Canadian Pacific Railway would reach the community in August 1883.
5.
George Murdoch was on good terms with the Blackfoot and had learned to speak their language.
6.
George Murdoch played a pivotal role in the formation of the Town of Calgary, joining prominent civic leaders as elected members of the seven-person civic committee, the precursor to the first town council.
7.
On December 4,1884, George Murdoch was elected the first mayor of the Town of Calgary and was re-elected on January 4,1886, holding the post until October 21,1886.
8.
Taylor notes when the voters' list was being revised and the "corrupt practices" were occurring, George Murdoch was visiting his former home in Eastern Canada and not in Calgary.
9.
George Murdoch was elected town Councillor for single terms in both 1889 and 1895.
10.
In later life George Murdoch suffered from paralysis, and died in Calgary on February 2,1910.