Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1480
MURRAY, JOHN WILLIAM , was born at Woodsend, Morgan County, Ill., August 31, 1866, and is a son of Patrick and Bridge (Dolton) Murray. Both parents of Mr. Murray were born in County Tipperary, Ireland. The father came to America a boy of fourteen and after a short period in the city of Philadelphia, came to Jacksonville, Ill., where he found employment with Jesse Henry, in feeding cattle. After his marriage he engaged in farming and in 1867 came to Sangamon County. For two years he lived near Sanger, Ill., and then broke a section of land near Curran, Ill., and live there some years, paying a large amount of money out in rent. He then purchased 204 acres situated one and one-half miles north of Curran, which he later increased to 284 acres, and resided there until 1890, when was elected Sheriff of Sangamon County. This office Mr. Murray held for four years and then returned to his farm which he has mainly turned over to his son's management. In 1909 he retired, and with his wife went to Springfield where they occupy a comfortable home at No. 304 South State Street. Patrick Murray has always been a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Owls and the beneficiary order of Royal Arcanum. He was married at Jacksonville, Ill., and both he and wife are members of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Springfield.
John William Murray was the second born in a family of thirteen children, four of whom are deceased. He attended the public schools of Curran, Ill., and those at Kelly's Point, leaving when eighteen years of age in order to assist his father in his large agricultural operations. After a number of years of hard work he became manager for his father and then went into the business of buying and selling stock and grain, dealing heavily for some years. When his father became Sheriff, he served as his deputy through the four years and in his official character became known and respected all over Sangamon County. Under the later ex-President Cleveland, Mr. Murray served as a United States Deputy Marshal.
Mr. Murray was married in St. Agnes' Catholic Church at Springfield, Ill., on June 20, 1894, to Miss Mary O'Brien, a daughter of William and Anna O'Brien. The parents of Mrs. Murray were native of Ireland. The father is now deceased but he mother survives and resides with a daughter, Mrs. George Reisch, at Springfield. They had six children, Mrs. Murray being the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have two children: Helen, who is a student in the Dominican Convent; and John W., who attends St. Agnes Parochial School. Mr. Murray and family are members of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He is identified like his father, with the Owls and the Royal Arcanum.