Historical Rosters Database
James Thomas Murfee
Roster ID 541This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
| First Name: | James |
| Middle Name: | Thomas |
| Last Name: | Murfee |
| Suffix: | |
| Affiliation: | Class of 1853 |
| Biography & Genealogy: | James Thomas Murfee, Class of 1853: Born- Sept. 13, 1833 SouthHampton, Co. Va. Father- James Wilson Murfee; Mother- Anne Parker. Pat. Grandfather- Capt. Simon Murfee (an officer in the War of 1812). No information about other grandparents. Married- Laura Owen, July 11, 1861. Children- 1- Julia Murfee Lovelace, who married Houston Lovelace; 2- Hopson Owen Murfee; 3- Mary Agnes Murfee Anderson, who married Edward B. Anderson; 4- Walter Lee Murfee. VMI Record: Entered VMI- Aug. 27, 1849; Graduated July 4, 1853 standing 1st in a class of 25. Civil War Service: Was Commandant of Cadets at the University of Ala.; Elected Lt. Col. of 41st Ala. Regt. June 2, 1862 but resigned July 15, 1862 to return to his former position as Commandant of Cadets. Commanded Corps of Cadets (UAl) in an engagement with US Troops at Tuscaloosa Apr. 3-4, 1865. and was reportedly wounded in action there. Career: Taught Science at Madison College (Pa.) 1853-54; Prof. and Commandant of Cadets at Lynchburg College (Va.) 1855-57; Principal of an academy near Lynchburg, Va. ca. 1858-59; Prof. and Commandant of Cadets at University of Alabama, 1860-61; 1862-70. Played a major role as architect of the Campus. Later was President & Professor of Architecture, and Engineering; Prof. at Howard College (now Samford University, Ala.) 1871-87; Founder and President of Marion Military Institute (Ala.) 1887-1906. Died- Apr. 28, 1912 in Miami, Fla. |
