James Leroy Murrill

James Leroy Murrill (January 5, 1847 – April 26, 1937) is believed to be the last surviving Confederate veteran in Baltimore. Early life James Leroy Murrill was born on January 5, 1847, in Nelson County, Virginia. His father was a teacher, preacher, farmer, and a railroad boss. When James Leroy Murrill was 17, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army in 1863. He served in the 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment (Company H); part of Kemper's/Terry's Virginia Brigade. He served in several major campaigns until Robert E. Lee's surrender at the Appomattox Court House which was only 17 miles from Murrill's home. After the war Murrill moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked in his uncle's factory, The Murrill and Keizer Company, on 212 Holliday street next door to the Baltimore City Hall. He worked there as a mechanist, while he was going to the Maryland Institute for Mechanical Drawling. When James Murrill graduated from The Maryland Institute of Mechanical Drawling, he was granted the Peabody Prize for his achievements while he was working his way up the ranks at the factory at the same time. He became an incredible mechanical drawer. Murrill taught at the institute for 4 years. Later, he became the school commissioner from 1887-1891.