Legislator Details
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-grave.com, 1/12/2026
Portrait captured from Find-a-grave.com, 1/12/2026
Murl Holcomb DeFoe
AKA:
Number of sessions served 3
Gender: Male
Age at election: 39
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 3/10/1879
City:
County: Eaton County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 1/24/1964
City: Eaton Rapids, MI
County: Eaton County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Charlotte, MI
County: Eaton County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Maple Hill Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Hazel Kirke Robinson about 1905; children: 2, Rose M. (Cook) and Murl Robinson
Number of Children: 2
Background
Religion: Congregationalist
Military Service:
Occupation: newspaper editor, publisher
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
Native son of Eaton County; son of Jacob and Emma (Holcombe) Defoe editor of the Charlotte Republican. He served his city as clerk & alderman. He was named a member of the Liquor Control Commission by Governor Frank Fitzgerald. He worked as an executive clerk for Governor Chase Osborn and served various governors in various ways. He was a Charlotte, MI postmaster. He served 25 years on the Hayes-Green-Beach Memorial Hospital board of trustees. Member of the Rotary Club; the Masons
Notable Facts:
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Education , Insurance , Liquor Control, State Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Charlotte
County of Residence Eaton
District: 15
District Description: Counties of Clinton, Eaton and Shiawassee.
Date Elected: 11/7/1944
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1945
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Liquor Control
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Institutions for State Wards, Liquor Control, Taxation , State Affairs , University
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Charlotte
County of Residence Eaton
District: 15
District Description: Counties of Clinton, Eaton and Shiawassee
Date Elected: 11/3/1942
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1942
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Elections , Military Affairs , Printing , State Homes, Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Charlotte
County of Residence Eaton
District: 14
District Description: Comprising the counties of Barry, Clinton and Eaton
Date Elected: 11/5/1918
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1919
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Elections