Murton (Murt) Sommerville came to Marceline from Oskaloosa, Iowa at an early age and married Celia Snider who was born east of Marceline before the town was organized. They had eleven children, one Mrs. Ray Helton, who still resides here.
Murt Sommerville and Garrett Eilert organized the Marceline Concert Band about sixty years ago. Mr. Sommerville was the director for a few years and then was secretary and treasurer. The band played for fairs at Brookfield, Mendon, and neighboring towns. They also led the Civil War Veterans to the cemeteries on Decoration Day. A concert was held each Saturday night in the city park. Each year a show troupe would come to Marceline and the concert band would play a few numbers outside the opera house to attract a crowd and advertise the show.
Mr. Sommerville died in 1932.