Godfrey Guseman Murdock
(1837-1899)

Godfrey Guseman Murdock was born in 1837 in Preston County, WV, the son of John S. and Rebecca (Miner) Murdock.

During the Civil War, Godfrey served with three regiments. He was commissioned as second lieutenant by Governor Francis H. Pierpont, known as "one of the fathers of West Virginia."

According to the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Godfrey "first enlisted in an Ohio regiment, at Ironton, for a three months' service at the conclusion of which he served in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth West Virginia regiments, later being transferred to the commissary department in this city.

" On Aug. 11, 1863, Godfrey joined Company B of the Independent Exempt West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. His regiment also was known as "Captain West's Independent Company, WV Infantry."

He was absent without leave (AWOL) on Oct. 31, 1863, though he apparently was not punished.;
He was discharged at Wheeling, Ohio County, WV on April 23, 1864.;
On Nov. 21, 1864, at Wheeling, Godfrey married Amanda L. Stephens.

The Murdocks had two daughters -- Mary F. "Mollie" Seelye (born in 1869) and Sue L. Fawcett (born 1873). They resided in Wheeling, where Godfrey was a merchant.

According to the Daily Intelligencer, Godfrey "enjoyed the distinction of being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, members of the A.O.U.W. in this city, and for twenty-six years had been a member of La Belle lodge."

With foresight that their health would be declining, the Murdocks purchased a plot of graves at Wheeling's prestigious Greenwood Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1892. Fortunately, they would not need to begin using the graves for another seven years.

In the final full year of his life -- 1898 -- Godfrey resided with Amanda at 806 Market Street in Wheeling but owned no real estate or personal property of sufficient value to be assessed for taxes.

In mid-March 1899, Godfrey became ill of heart problems, "although his health had been poor in the earlier winter months," said the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer. After suffering for 10 days, he passed away at home, at age 62, on March 24, 1899. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery.

Sadly, Amanda died a year after her husband's passing. Her death occurred on April 9, 1900, at the age of 57. In a short obituary, the Wheeling Intelligencer reported that the funeral would be held at the residence of her niece, Jessie Wells, at 38 South Broadway in Wheeling. She then was laid to rest beside her husband.

Source: http://www.minerd.com/biomurdock,_godfreyguseman.htm