Southampton-Augusta-Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Murray, John, 1897 

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PROF. JOHN MURRAY 

"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,919, Thurs., Oct. 7, 1897, p. 3 

Seriously Ill for Four Long Months 

  On Monday Professor John Murray had been extremely ill for four months.  He 
still lingers and holds his own in a remarkable way.  His physicians can form 
no opinion as to his chances of recovery, as his life for days has hung by a 
thread. 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,920, Fri., Oct. 8, 1897, p. 3 

PROF. JOHN MURRAY 

Is Momentarily Expected To Die - Was Living at 2 O'clock. 

  Prof. John Murray, whose remarkable vitality has kept him alive through a 
long and severe illness, yesterday morning about 10 o'clock suffered a stroke 
of paralysis which seemed to be total.  It was then thought his death was but 
a question of a few hours.  He lingered on, however, seemingly without 
suffering any pain, and was still alive when the paper went to press at 3 
o'clock this morning, though it was expected that every moment would be his 
last. 

  Prof. Murray was born in Southampton county and was in his sixieth year. 
His father was Dr. R.W. [sic; R.A.] Murray, a native of Ireland, and a man of 
learning and ability.  One of Prof. Murray's brothers, Robert, lives in 
Belfast, Ireland; another is Rev. James Murray, D.D., for 35 years pastor of 
Bethel church, this county, and now pastor at Hampden-Sidney college; another 
is Dr. W.W. Murray of Suffolk; his two sisters are Mrs. Allie Murrell [sic; 
Ellie Murrelle] and Miss Effie Murray of Suffolk. 

  Prof. Murray was educated at the University of Virginia, taking the degree 
of Master of Arts shortly before the civil war.  He went into the Confederate 
army service through the war in the attillery as a faithful soldier. 

  Prof. Murray came to Staunton in 1880 from Farmville, where he had been 
teaching, and entered the Augusta Female Seminary as a teacher in various 
departments, of late years chiefly moral philosophy, the sciences and some 
mathematics. 

  In the seventeen years in which he has been connected with this institution 
of learning one of his most agreeable duties has been to open the school each 
evening with religious services.  He was deeply concerned about the religious 
welfare of the young ladies.  In fact, so deeply was he concerned that it 
seemed to weigh on him to some extent as a burden, so deep and earnest was his 
own religious character.  Shortly after his arrival in Staunton he was elected 
an elder by the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, and he has 
served the congregation with great fidelity.  In every relation of life his 
methods have been straightforward and open, and there was no mistaking his 
honest purposes.  In his illness he insisted from the start that it would 
terminate fatally, and he expressed himse!f always as ready and anxious to 
have the end come; but it was not permitted him to go until he had passed 
through four months of great suffering, battling with a disease that puzzled 
the most eminent physicians and baffled all their skill.  Through it all he 
was nursed with a tender devotion by his wife and his only child, H. Dunbar 
Murray, who did for him all that could possibly be done. 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,921, Sat., Oct. 9, 1897, p. 3 

  Rev. James Murray, D.D., of Hampden-Sidney, W.W. Murray, M.D., and Mrs. 
Allie Murrell [sic; Ellie Murrelle] of Suffolk, brothers and sister of Prof. 
John Murray, arrived yesterday, having been summoned to the death-bed of Prof. 
Murray. 

[...] 

PROF. MURRAY'S CONDITION. 

He Was Still Living at 2 o'clock This Morning. 

  Prof. John Murray, to whose other ills was added a paralytic stroke on 
Thursday, as related in yesterday's NEWS, was kept alive by the administration 
of the most powerful heart-stimulants, through Thursday night, yesterday and 
last night, up to the time the paper went to press.  No sign of returning 
consciousness has appeared since 10 o'clock Thursday, when the stroke came. 
Those nearest and dearest to him could see no grounds for hope of his 
recovery.  It was a sad waiting for death to relieve him of his long and 
mysterious sufferings.  He has been gradually sinking for several hours, and 
the end cannot be far off. 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,922, Sun., Oct. 10, 1897, p. 1 

    Prof. John Murray. 

  At 2:30 o'clock this morning Prof. Murray was still living.  At that hour 
he was gradually growing weaker and was momentarily expected to die. 

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"Norfolk (VA) Dispatch," Vol. 2, No. 134, Mon., Oct. 11, 1897, p. 4 

         Prof. Murray in Extremis. 

Special to The Dispatch. 
  Staunton, Va., Oct. 11. - Professor John Murray, one of the best known 
educators in the South, is lying in extremis in this city, and his death is 
expected at any moment.  Prof. Murray was formerly of Suffolk, Va.     P. 

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"Augusta County (VA) Argus, Vol. 10, No. 41, Tues., Oct. 12, 1897, p. 3 

  Prof. John Murray, who has been very ill for over four months, has been in 
about the same condition for some time.  We learn that sewer gas is the cause 
of his ailment, but over-exertion in his garden seemed to be the start of his 
trouble.  A specialist from Washington was to see him a few days ago and after 
examination and consultation stated that the family physician was doing all 
that could be done.  He charged only three hundred dollars for that. 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,924, Wed., Oct. 13, 1897, p. 3 

PROF. MURRAY DEAD. 

Passed Away Last Night After a Long Illness. 

  Professor John Murray, who for the past seventeen weeks has been very ill 
and who has been in a comatose condition since Thursday last, died last night 
at 11:55 o'clock. 

  Professor Murray's death had been momentarily expected since Thursday last, 
yet his death will bring a severe shock to the community at large, as his 
nature was one of rare gentleness and sweetness and to know him was to love 
him. 

  No funeral arrangements have yet been made. 

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"Alexandria (VA) Gazette," Vol. 98, No. 235, Oct. 14, 1897, p. 2, 
   text posted with Find a Grave Memorial #16052462 

        VIRGINIA NEWS. 

[...] 

  Prof. John Murray, of Staunton, who was paralyzed a few days ago, died 
Tuesday night.  For sixteen years he has been a member of the Mary Baldwin 
Seminary faculty. 

[...] 

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"Norfolk (VA) Landmark," Vol. 45, No. 91, Thurs., Oct. 14, 1897, p. 4 

SUFFOLK. 

Many Matters of Interest Picked Up in and Around Town. 

      Special to The Landmark. 
Suffolk, Va., October 13. - [...] 

  A telegram was received here to-day announcing the death, in Staunton, of 
Professor John Murray, brother of Dr. W.W. Murray, Miss Effie Murray and Mrs. 
Alice [sic; Ellie] Murrelle, of Suffolk, all of whom were with him in his last 
hours. 

[...] 

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"Richmond (VA) Dispatch," Vol. 14,416, Thurs., Oct. 14, 1897, p. 8 

       THE VALLEY CITY. 

Death of Professor John Murray - A Good Rain. 

  STAUNTON, VA., October 13. - (Special.) - Professor John Murray, of the Mary 
Baldwin Seminary faculty, died about midnight last night.  Since last 
Thursday, when he was paralyzed, he had been in a comatose condition, and his 
death was expected at any hour. 

  Professor Murray was born in Southampton county some sixty years ago.  He is 
survived by a wife and one child, Mr. Dunbar Murray, of this city.  He came to 
Staunton sixteen years ago, since which time he had been a leading member of 
the faculty of the Mary Baldwin Seminary, and as such, had lectured to 
hundreds of young ladies of the South - pupils of that institution.  The 
deceased was graduated at the University of Virginia, and received the degree 
of Master of Arts.  He was a faithful Confederate soldier in the artillery 
service, was a good Democrat, and a consistent Presbyterian.  His life was 
full of good works, and no man stood higher in this community.  At the time of 
his death he was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church here. 

[...] 

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"Times" (Richmond, VA), Vol. 12, No. 218, Thurs., Oct. 14, 1897, p. 7 

Prof. John Murray. 

  STAUNTON, VA., Oct. 13. - Special. - Prof. John Murray died at his residence 
in this city last night after an illness of four months.  Prof. Murray was ill 
with typhoid fever and nearly a week ago was paralyzed, and has been 
unconscious ever since.  He has been a teacher in the department of sciences 
and literature at the Mary Baldwin Seminary since 1880.  He was a native of 
Southampton county, Va. 

  His father, Dr. R.W. [sic*; R.A.] Murray, was a native of Ireland, and Prof. 
Murray has a brother now living in Ireland.  He leaves two brothers, Rev. Dr. 
Murray, pastor at Hampden-Sidney College, and Dr. Murray, of Suffolk, Va. 

  Mrs. Murray and one son, Dunbar Murray, survive him.  Prof. Murray was a 
graduate of the University of Virginia, taking the degree of A.M.  He was a 
gentleman of sterling character. 

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"Staunton (VA) Spectator and Vindicator," Vol. 74, No. 41, Thurs., 
   Oct. 14, 1897, p. 3 

    Death of Prof. John Murray. 

  Prof. John Murray, whose long and severe illness has been the subject of 
intense anxiety to his friends in this city, departed this life on Tuesday 
night last about 12 p.m.  He had been ill for more than four months, during 
which time the varying conductions of the disease gave hope and fear, but of 
late it became evident he could not survive, and since Thursday last all hope 
was abandoned. 

  Prof. Murray was born in Southampton County and was in his 60th year.  His 
father was Dr. R.W. [sic*; R.A.] Murray, a native of Ireland, and a man of 
learning and ability.  One of Prof. Murray's brothers, Robert lives in 
Belfast, Ireland; another is Rev. Jas. Murray, D.D., for 25 years pastor of 
Bethel church in this county, and now pastor at Hampden-Sidney college, 
another is Dr. W.W. Murray of Suffolk, and his two sisters are Mrs. Allie 
Murrell [sic; Ellie Murrelle] and Miss Effie Murray of Suffolk. 

  Prof. Murray was educated at the University of Virginia, taking the degree 
of Master of Arts shortly before the civil war.  He went into the Confederate 
army and served through the war in the artillery as a faithful soldier. 

  Prof. Murray came to Staunton in 1880 from Farmville, where he had been 
teaching, and entered the Augusta Female Seminary as a teacher in various 
departments, of late years chiefly moral philosophy, the sciences and some 
mathematics. 

  He was connected with the Mary Baldwin Seminary for seventeen years, during 
which time his devotion to duty, and his solicitude for the welfare of the 
school and pupils was of the most marked character.  Shortly after he moved 
to Staunton, he was elected as one of the elders of the First Presbyterian 
church and has held the position continuously since.  He is survived by his 
wife, and one son, Mr. H. Dunbar Murray.  The funeral services will take 
place from the house some time this afternoon. 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,925, Thurs., Oct. 14, 1897, p. 3 

FUNERAL OF PROF. MURRAY 

Will Take Place From the Family Residence This Morning. 

  The funeral of Prof. John Murray will take place this morning at 11 o'clock 
from the family residence on Market street, and the interment will be in 
Thornrose cemetery.  All the officers of the First Presbyterian church have 
been designated as pallbearers, with the addition of Prof. Berkeley Minor. 
The services, in accordance with the wishes of deceased, will be short and 
simple.  The regular exercises of the Mary Baldwin seminary were suspended 
yesterday and will be suspended today, out of respect to Prof. Murray's 
memory. 

  As showing the depth of religious conviction of Prof. Murray, it is not out 
of place to reproduce a passage which he wrote on a fly-leaf of his new 
testament many years ago.  It reads as follows: 

  "I for my part, after a long (and as I believe and hope) impartial search of 
the true way to eternal happiness, do profess plainly that I can find no 
resting place for the sole of my foot but on this rock only * * * * * * * * * 
Propose me anything out of this book and require whether I believe it or no, 
and, seem it never so incomprehensible to human reason, I will subscribe it 
with my hand and heart, as knowing no demonstration can be stronger than this, 
God hath said so, therefore it is true." 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,926, Fri., Oct. 15, 1897, p. 3 

LAID TO REST. 

The Remains of Prof. Murray Interred in Thornrose. 

  Yesterday morning at 11 o'clock the last sad rites were performed over the 
body of the late Prof. John Murray.  A large body of friends at that time 
gathered at the family residence on Market street.  In their sympathetic 
presence, and in the presence of those nearest and dearest to the deceased, 
a short, simple and beautiful service was held.  Rev. A.M. Fraser, D.D., 
pastor of the First Presbyterian church of which deceased had been a ruling 
elder for near 17 years, forcibly recited appropriate passages of scripture. 
Wm. M. Baker then sang "The Christian's Good Night."  Rev. J.E. Booker, pastor 
of Hebron church, delivered a prayer, and the services at the house were 
concluded by Miss Hopkins, vocal teacher of the Mary Baldwin Seminary, who 
sang "Some Sweet Day." 

  The procession then started toward Thornrose cemetery.  The family, friends 
and the faculty and officers of the Mary Baldwin seminary went in carriages, 
while the students of that institution dressed in white marched in a body. 

  The approach to the grave had been laid with a carpet of evergreens and 
flowers.  Here Wm. M. Baker sang "Shall we meet beyond the River?" following 
which Mr. Fraser offered a touching prayer.  "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" was 
then sung by a number of the leading singers of the city, the gathering 
generally joining in the singing.  The benedicton by Mr. Fraser then closed 
the services.  The singing and the entire service both at the house and at 
the grave met a responsive chord in every breast, the whole being most 
appropriate, and most solemn and impressive. 

  The grave was covered with rare and beautiful floral pieces, an appropriate 
tribute to Prof. Murray, who, all his life, was a lover and companion of 
flowers.  All of the officers of the First Presbyterian church had been 
designated as pallbearers with Prof. Berkeley Minor of the Virginia Female 
Institute.  Some were unavoidably absent.  Those who were present and who 
served were: 

  Active - Dr. George S. Walker, William A. Burke, Joseph A. Waddell, Dr. 
N. Wayt, James H. Blackley, Berkeley Minor; 

  Honorary - Davis A. Kayser, W.H. Landes, Arista Hoge, Dr. S.H. Henkel, 
Charles A. Hoge, J.A. Fulton and H.D. Peek. 

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"Norfolk (VA) Virginian," Vol. 54, No. 127, Sat., Oct. 16, 1897, p. 6 

TOWN OF SUFFOLK 

WONDERFULLY WEIRD 

Professor Boone's Remarkable Exhibition Makes a Great Impression. 

PERFORMS BEFORE A LARGE HOUSE 

Railroad Loses a Law Suit - Robber Run to Ground - Went to North Carolina to 
   Marry - Five Years in the Penitentiary for Horse Stealing - Personal Notes. 

  Suffolk, Va., Oct. 15. - (Special) - [...]  

SHORT ITEMS. 

[...] 

  Mrs. Morel [sic; Murrelle] and Dr. W.W. Murray returned to-day from 
Staunton, where they attended the funeral of their brother, Professor John 
Murray, of the Baldwin Seminary. 

[...] 

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"Staunton (VA) Daily News," Vol. 7, No. 1,927, Sat., Oct. 16, 1897, p. 3 

        BRIEF NOTES. 

[...] 

  The names of S.F. Pilson and Capt. J.N. McFarland were inadvertently omitted 
from the list of pallbearers at the funeral of Prof. John Murray. 

[...] 

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Prof. John MURRAY, teacher, Confederate veteran, 
b. 1837, Southampton Co., d. 12 Oct 1897, Augusta Co., 
interred in Thornrose Cemetery*, Staunton, 14 Oct 1897, 

*Additional information: 

Photos of of his gravestone - added by JMB - are posted with 
   Find a Grave Memorial #16052462, which gives Pvt. John K. MURRAY, 
   Co. A, 1st VA Infantry Battalion, CSA, d. 10 Oct 1897, age 59 yrs, 6 mos. 

R.W. MURRAY (ca. 1838 - 1866) was his brother; their father was Dr. Robert A. 
   MURRAY (1792 - 1868).  Dr. R.W. MURRAY (1860 - 1897) was his nephew. 

His parents and much of his extended family are buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, 
   Suffolk.  Cedar Hill list, an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_m.txt 

The Augusta Female Seminary was renamed Mary Baldwin Seminary in 1895, 
   in honor of its principal 1863-97. 
   ("Hornbook of Virginia History," p. 262) 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/m600j4ob.txt