The funeral of J. G. Murray, who passed away in St. Francis hospital in Wichita Thursday of last week, was held in the Coldwater Methodist church last Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. In absence of the pastor, Rev. Herschel Thornburg, pastor of the Prairie Vale Friends church, brought a comforting message. Mrs. V. J. Allderdice and Miss Jane Stewart sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Jesus Savior Pilot Me," accompanied by Mrs. Wm. Brumbaugh. The pall bearers were Foy Cosby, Ward Butcher, Bill Lockwood of Protection, Harry Kropf, W. H. Avery and R. C. Coles. Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery.James George Murray was born in London, Ontario, Canada, August 14, 1886, and passed away in St. Francis Hospital June 3, 1943, at the age of 56 years, nine months and 18 days.
When he was only a few months old his parents moved to Chicago and there he was christened by a minister of the Methodist church. The family, on the opening of the Cherokee Strip in the early 90's, made the run, settling on a claim near Oklahoma City. There the family lived in a tent for three lean years and underwent the hardships of pioneer life. After a few years in Oklahoma, the parents and all the children except Mr. Murray returned to Canada. Mr. Murray as a young lad remained in the sooner state and worked in a grocery store and later learned the photographic trade. For several years he was a traveling salesman before opening his first photographic studio in Antlers, Okla. He previously worked in studios in Wichita, Kans.
In 1917 Mr. Murray opened a studio in Coldwater and continued the business 23 years, or until 1940, when his health forced him to retire to the farm. For a number of years he had been in failing health, due to poisoning from photographic chemicals.
On December 4, 1921, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Hartley in Coldwater, Kans. He is survived by his faithful wife and by one son, Dan H. Murray, and one daughter, Agnes Ann Murray, of the home. From youth Mr. Murray suffered many adversities. His innate honesty and personal integrity were never questioned and he was a kind and loving husband and father, as well as a painstaking workman.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above obituary!
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This page was last updated 14 Jan 2004.