Eldon Eugene Murray was born on March 1st, 1930 in Vincennes, Indiana. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1948, Murray moved to the Chicago area, working several jobs and briefly attending Northwestern University. He joined the Army in 1951, working his way up as a forward artillery officer and touring in Korea. Letters from his time in training and out on deployment indicate that Murray had several romantic relationships with other men, and that he was out to at least a few of his friends. After leaving the Army, Murray moved back to Chicago and began his career as a stockbroker, which he continued until his retirement in 2000. It was in Chicago that Murray got his first taste of gay culture and nightlife in the city. He hosted several parties for his gay friends, building community and fostering relationships that he would sustain throughout his life. Murray moved to Milwaukee in the late 1950s. [More.]

This digital collection was generously supported by the Eldon E. Murray Foundation Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.