JAMES H. McMURRAY. Among the most prominent residents of Peters township, this name is an honored one. James McMurray was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and when a young man sailed to America. He first located near Irishtown, Allegheny Co., Penn., and there followed agricultural pursuits. Soon after arriving in this country he married Isabelle Balentine, a native of the Emerald Isle, who had crossed the ocean in early youth. The young people settled on a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where the following children were born to them: James, Jane, John, William, Nancy (wife of Paul Black, of Aledo, III. ), Margaret ( living on the home farm with her brother Hervey), Esther, Mary A., Archie (a farmer in Allegheny county), Andrew, Hervey, Edward, an infant son, and an infant daughter. Of this family James, Jane, William, Esther, Mary A., Andrew, and the two youngest are deceased. William McMurray, son of James and Isabelle McMurray, was born in 1817, on the old homestead in Allegheny county, Penn. In early manhood he was married to Jane, daughter of John Mouck, of Washington county, Penn. They lived on a farm near Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn., fourteen years after their marriage, then came to the home place in Washington county, Penn., where the family are now living. William McMurray was an active member of the Democratic party, and held various township offices. He was connected with the United Presbyterian Church, and gave to that Society a most liberal support. He died February 23, 1889, leaving three children, viz.: Mary I. (wife of J. C. Crouch), James H., and Eliza Jane (deceased at the age of fourteen years).
James H. McMurray, whose name opens this sketch, was born September 3, 1847, on the farm near Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn. He came to the farm in Washington county when but a lad, and there grew to manhood. He was married December 24, 1874, to Sarah M. Matthews, who was born March 8, 1855, daughter of James Matthews, a resident of Peters township, this county. The young people began wedded life on the farm in Peters township where they are yet living. Six children have blessed their union as follows: James M. G., William W. (who died in infancy), Levi A., Jennie M. ( who died at the age of two years), George W. and Tamar M. Mr. McMurray has been a very successful business man, and now owns about 174 acres of land in several tracts. He has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, has held many local offices, and in religion is a member and elder of the Mt. Prospect United Presbyterian Church.
Text taken from page 1063 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]