McMurray - James S.
Source: Unknown newspaper - dated February 25, 1908
On Tuesday at 10:30 o'clock at his home on West Clinton street, occurred the death of Dr. J.S. McMurray, one of the pioneer physicians of the city and County, a man who had a wide acquaintance. While not feeling well for some time he was taken ill but A week ago, being afflicted with eryesdpelas(?). This brought on an acute attack of Bright's disease and the physicians in charge were unable to stay the March of the disease. Born in Ohio.
The deceased was born in Mercer County, Ohio, near Selina, and he spent his boyhood in that County. With a brother he learned the trade of a painter and paper hanger but not being satisfied with this calling he began the study of medicine, even while at work at his trade. He was one of a family of six children and knew the hardships of the early life, he having to acquire his own education by close application to his studies not having the advantages of school life. He was a self-made man and rose in life by his own personal efforts. After being admitted to practice of medicine, after his graduation from the old Indiana Medical college, he came tot his city, where on august 10, 1862, he was married to Caroline Smith. They went to housekeeping near Stockwell, remaining there a year and then went to Linden. Later the family at Rolling Prairie, then returned to Linden and on March 20, 1879, came to this city and the remainder of his life was spent here. Mrs. McMurray died seventeen years ago; the children by the union being, Allan McMurray, of Bloomington, Ill., B. E. McMurray and Walter McMurray of this city, and Mrs. Charles Hartman, of Cincinnati. He has three brothers, David J. of LaPorte, Thomas Z. of North Vernon and Andrew of California. Married again.
In June 1891, Dr. McMurray was married the second time, his wife being Miss Florence Strouse of this city, who survives him. He has been practicing medicine for forty-five years and during this time he had started twenty-two young physicians out of office, the last one Dr. Hall, of Lebanon, being with him when the end came as was the members of the family. An Active Life.
Dr. McMurray had an active life. He was Master of the Linden Masonic lodge for fifteen years and aided in its organization. He was also the originator of the Green Lawn Cemetery and at his death was a stockholder in the company. When gas was discovered, he was one of the prime movers in having it piped to this city. He was interested in the brick works, and various other local enterprises and was a man that always worked for the interest of the city. As a physician he ranked high in the profession. He was a member of the Clinton County Medical Society and was one of the best Latin scholars in the city. He was a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was recognized as a man whose opinions were of value above all lines of life's activities, being broad minded and well posted upon the current events of the day. He was genial and companionable and had many friends.
The funeral arrangements are not completed but the services will be held some time Thursday afternoon from the house, with interment at Green Lawn. Rev. Stark will conduct the service.
Transcribed by: Tracy Jones 3-10-2002J.S. McMurray was born in Ohio of immigrant parents in about 1838. He came to Linden in 1870 where he is listed on the Madison Twp. census for that year as being age 32 a Physician with wife Caroline age 28 and sons Allen and Charles. He joined the Montgomery County Medical Society in 1874 and was quite an active member. Years later, he moved to Frankfort, Indiana and established a good practice, remaining there until his death.
Source: Unknown dated February 25, 1908 (Frankfort ?)
On Tuesday at 10:30 o'clock at his home on West Clinton street, occurred the death of Dr. J.S. McMurray, one of the pioneer physicians of the city and County, a man who had a wide acquaintance. While not feeling well for some time he was taken ill but A week ago, being afflicted with eryesdpelas(?). This brought on an acute attack of Bright's disease and the physicians in charge were unable to stay the March of the disease. Born in Ohio.
The deceased was born in Mercer County, Ohio, near Selina, and he spent his boyhood in that County. With a brother he learned the trade of a painter and paper hanger but not being satisfied with this calling he began the study of medicine, even while at work at his trade. He was one of a family of six children and knew the hardships of the early life, he having to acquire his own education by close application to his studies not having the advantages of school life. He was a self-made man and rose in life by his own personal efforts. After being admitted to practice of medicine, after his graduation from the old Indiana Medical college, he came to this city, where on august 10, 1862, he was married to Caroline Smith. They went to housekeeping near Stockwell, remaining there a year and then went to Linden. Later the family at Rolling Prairie, then returned to Linden and on March 20, 1879, came to this city and the remainder of his life was spent here. Mrs. McMurray died seventeen years ago; the children by the union being, Allan McMurray, of Bloomington, Ill., B. E. McMurray and Walter McMurray of this city, and Mrs. Charles Hartman, of Cincinnati. He has three brothers, David J. of LaPorte, Thomas Z. of North Vernon and Andrew of California. Married again.
In June 1891, Dr. McMurray was married the second time, his wife being Miss Florence Strouse of this city, who survives him. He has been practicing medicine for forty-five years and during this time he had started twenty-two young physicians out of office, the last one Dr. Hall, of Lebanon, being with him when the end came as was the members of the family. An Active Life.
Dr. McMurray had an active life. He was Master of the Linden Masonic lodge for fifteen years and aided in its organization. He was also the originator of the Green Lawn Cemetery and at his death was a stockholder in the company. When gas was discovered, he was one of the prime movers in having it piped to this city. He was interested in the brick works, and various other local enterprises and was a man that always worked for the interest of the city. As a physician he ranked high in the profession. He was a member of the Clinton County Medical Society and was one of the best Latin scholars in the city. He was a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was recognized as a man whose opinions were of value above all lines of life's activities, being broad minded and well posted upon the current events of the day. He was genial and companionable and had many friends.
The funeral arrangements are not completed but the services will be held some time Thursday afternoon from the house, with interment at Green Lawn. Rev. Stark will conduct the service.
Transcribed by: Tracy Jones 3-10-2002
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Source: Indiana Certificate of Death #1091
Died West Clinton Street, Frankfort Center Township, Clinton County, Indiana
J.S. McMurray
Died Feb 25, 1908
Dr. GW Brown, Frankfort attended deceased from Feb 22, 1908 to Feb 25, 1908 when death occurred at 10:30 a.m. of Acute Nephritis. Emspilas of face
Age 69 Years 11 Months 4 days
Married
Wife Florence
Born: March 20, 1838 in Ohio
Father: Samuel McMurray, Ireland
Mother: Juliet Jurrod (Junod?), France
Occupation: Physician
Informant: Allen S. McMurray Bloomington, Illinois
Buried Green Lawn Cem Feb 26, 1908 by GW Goodwin & Sons, Frankfort
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Source: Zach, Karen Bazzani. Montgomery Medicine Men and Women .... Crawfordsville: MCHS, 2002.
Painting and paper hanging was James S. McMurray's original trade, but being from a large family and knowing the hardships of the common laborer, he wished to study medicine. Born in Fort Recover, Mercer County, Ohio on March 20, 1838,, he was the son of Samuel and Juliet Jurrod (Junop?) McMurray. Being one of six children, he most certainly was a self-made man.
His first marriage occurred August 10, 1862 was to the mother of his children (Allan Samuel Charles Albert.; Walter Lockwood and Elsie K.) was in Clinton County Aug 10, 1862 to Caroline Smith. Upon marriage, the two went to Rolling Prairie, in LaPorte County but only briefly then to Stockwell where they also stayed briefly and finally to Madison Township in Montgomery County in late 1863. The good doctor arrives in "Quinine" in Madison Township in quite a bit of debt. However, he was "vigorous, sanguine and optimistic," and administered quinine to the many fever-stricken in the area. It is believed that they lost a son, B.E. McMurray while here. Certainly, Charles Albert McMurray was born while in our area. He died young as well, just eight years after his father. Their youngest son, Walter was born here (27 Jan 1873) and died in Los Angeles 2 March 1942. The boys all worked for the railroad in some capacity.
Dr. McMurray ranked many accomplishments in his life, likely, the biggest is that he set-up 22 men as doctors. At one time, the doctor himself was stricken with malaria and took 80 grams of quinine stating that he couldn't afford to be sick. He staggered like a drunken man and was warned not to take more or it would kill him. Obviously, the doctor listened to the advice and ended-up being one of the township's trustees. He practiced in the Linden area for sevearl years; however, in the Crawfordsville Weekly Review on May 31, 1878, Dr. McMurray announced that he was going to quit practicing medicine because, "there is so many doctors here it don't pay. There is Drs. Keeney; Keeney, Jr; Stoddard; Pixley and DUnkle. All these besides the old women." One accomplishment of Dr. McMurrays was that he was a prime mover sanctioning gas to our area.
Dr. McMurray moved to Frankfort just after. His beloved wife, Caroline passed away there the 16th of August in 1891. Dr. McMurray not only took care of the sick, he made sure that the dead were cared for, as well, as he was given credit for beginning the Greenlawn Cemetery at Frankfort. It is not known whether it was at the time of his wife's death, or elsetime. The good doctor applied for a passport the year before Caroline passed away and signed final papers the next year in December but it is not known whether he left the country, would not think so with the children to raise and his wife just passing. He is described on his application as 53 years old, t'7" tall, having blue eyes, a high forehead and a medium strait nose. His mouth is described as medium sized, with his face and chin rounded. His hair is "iron gray" and complexion fair.
He did marry a second time to Florence Strouse 21 June 1892. She survived him and is also buried at Green Lawn in Frankfort.
Note: There are some changes from the book above as I found different information, more and left a couple of items out