Sunday, July 12, at about 1:00 p.m., John A. Murray dropped dead at his home in Coldwater.Mr. Murray's death was a surprise to his friends and associates. While during the last few years, his energy has apparently declined and some months ago, he had suffered a slight stroke of paralysis, from which he immediately rallied, his general health was considered to be in very good condition.
Mr. Murray, who was Clerk of the District Court for Comanche County, serving his third term in that office, was about his usual self and apparent health, Sunday, when he suffered the fatal stroke that caused his death.
For many years, he was a resident of Protection and still considered this community his home, though living at Coldwater, while serving in his official capacity. He was engaged in farming, having formerly owned and operated the farm now occupied by Elmer Zimmerman, until some years ago, when he moved to Protection, living here until his election in office, when he took up his residence at Coldwater.
Mr. Murray was a fine citizen and a man of splendid principles and character, firm in his convictions, steadfast in his opinions, loyal in his friendships and in home and as a father an exception in virtue and example.
He came to Comanche county in the 80's, either in May or June of 1884, and resided in the community of Protection continuously since. He endured all the rigors of the early pioneer and witnessed and had an active part in the settlement and growth of the country as it developed from a ranch section into one of the fertile farming sections of Kansas. He had followed, largely farming, but in the early days did some sheep ranching too. At one time in his early manhood he entered the printing trade, and was a compositor on the old Protection Echo, and like to speak of his experiences in the trade. Later he returned to his farm and never left it until he moved in Protection.
In his young manhood he was athletic and a member of the early day ball teams and also for years a leading member of the famous Protection band, being a flute player of talent. He often expressed his remembrance of the pleasure and joy of the early day activities in the community and the pleasant memories they evoked and associations and friendships such memories and reminiscences recalled.
He was a lifelong Republican, and always took an active interest and on the side of right and good citizenship in the affairs of his county and his community. In his capacity as a public official, as Clerk of the District Court for Comanche county, he was consistently true to the trust imposed in him, competent to more than the ordinary degree, in his official duties and considerate of the public in his contact with them and absolutely fair and impartial in the obligations of his office in its official capacity.
At the time of his death, he was past 68 years of age, but had always been quite active even during the late years. He leaves to mourn his passing, his three sons; Curtis G. of Big Springs, Texas; Ralph of Harper, Kansas and Harris of Coldwater. His wife preceded him in death in 1928. Two brothers, J. O. of Beardstown, Ill., and O. S. of Kingman, Kansas, and two sisters, Mrs. Darcey Dunn of Wichita, Kansas, and Mrs. H. E. Crummer of Illinois, and a foster brother, L. R. Ross of Wichita, likewise survive him.
The funeral cortege motored from Coldwater, Tuesday afternoon, and the funeral services were held from the Protection Methodist Church at 2:30 with interment in the family plot in the Protection cemetery.
JOHN ALEXANDER MURRAY John Alexander Murray was born January 7, 1863, near Murrayville, Ill. He departed this life, July 12, 1931, in Coldwater, Kansas. At the time of his death his age was 68 years, 6 months and 5 days.
In the year, 1885, he moved from Illinois to Sumner county, Kansas, with his parents.
On February 20, 1890, he was united in marriage with Nora A. Rich. To this union, two children were born, one son, Curtis G., now of Big Springs, Texas, and one daughter, who died in infancy. The mother of these children died a few years later.
On April 20, 1897, Mr. Murray was married to Alberta A. Myers of Protection, Kansas. Two children came to bless this union: Ralph M. and Charles Harris. The wife preceded her husband in death in January 1928.
The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian Church and had been for a number of years, having united with the church after coming to Sumner county, Kansas.
He was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1924, which office he held at the time of his death.
He was one of Comanche county's highly esteemed citizens and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Those of his family left to mourn his loss are two brothers, O. S. Murray of Beardstown, Ill., and James Oscar Murray of Kingman and two sisters, Mrs. H. E. Crummer of Rockford, Ill., and Mrs. D. E. Dunne of Wichita, Kansas, also one foster brother, L. B. Ross of Wichita, Kansas. Besides these there are his three sons, Ralph M. of Harper, Kansas, Charles Harris of Coldwater, Kansas and Curtis G. of Big Springs, Texas. Also seven grandchildren.
The funeral was held at the Methodist Church in Protection at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, with Rev. C. C. Brown of Coldwater, assisted by the Rev. A. L. Hughes of Protection, officiating and interment was in the Protection cemetery by the side of his deceased wife.
Also see:
Allen Hughes Murray, brother of John A. Murray.
Harriet Elizabeth (Hughes) Murray, mother of John A. Murray.
Comanche-co.'s Nine District Clerks, The Western Star, January 28, 1927.
Comanche County Officers, 1885 - 2007
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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