Patrick Murray

Patrick Murray, an old and respected resident of Washington county, died at his home west of Blair Thursday, April 10 after a protracted illness.

Patrick Murray was born in Ireland in 1837 and was married to Ellen O'Connell in 1869. Eight children were born to them, all of whom, with the exception of Mrs. Anna Lewis, reside in Washington county.

He owned 395 acres of Washington county land and had acquired considerable other wealth.

Funeral services were held at the Catholic church at 10 a.m. Saturday, conducted by Father O'Driscoll, assisted by Father O'Collins of Omaha and Father O'Sullivan of Fremont.

Interment made in Blair cemetery.

Pilot 16 April 1913

(Photo)

PATRICK MURRAY DEAD

Another Old Settler and Well Known Citizen of Washington County Passed Peacefully Away at His Home Three and a Half Miles West of Blair Last Thursday of Apoplexy

THE FUNERAL WAS HELD AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FRIDAY

On Sunday, March 30, Patrick Murray had a paralytic stroke that seemed quite serious, at first. One side was paralyzed and he couldn't speak clearly, though he was conscious. It occurred about 10:45. He had just gone into the bedroom when he was stricken and fell. Richard was right there and he and John helped undress him and put him to bed, from which he never got up. He improved steadily for a week, then on Sunday, April 6th, he began to grow worse, death resulting at 12:45, Thursday, the 10th.

The funeral was held at the Catholic church in this city at ten o'clock Saturday, Father O'Driscoll officiating assisted by Fathers O'Sullivan, of Fremont and Collins, of Sacred Heart parish in Omaha. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery by the side of his wife, who died in a similar manner on the 21st day of last July. The services was largely attended and a long line of carriages followed the remains to their last resting place in mute testimony of the esteem in which Mr. Murray was held.

Deceased was born in New Castle, county of Cork, Ireland, on May 19th, 1837, and landed in America, June 16th, 1866, settling at East Taunton, Mass. Two years later he struck out for the west, arriving at Omaha, Feb. 17th, 1868. He was in the U.P. shops for seven years and a half and then came to this county, settling on the farm about three miles west of town where he spent the balance of his life and where death overtook him last Thursday. His son, John, bought the old Monroe property, on west Washington street last fall and tried to get his father to come to town to live, but he preferred to stay on the old place until the final summons came.

On June 16th, 1869, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Ellen O'Connell, in Omaha, and eight children were born to them, four boys and four girls, all of whom are living. The four boys are all unmarried and lived at home. Tom, John, Richard and Daniel. The four girls are all married, Mrs. Dave Tevis, of Arlington, Mrs. W. D. Lewis, of Council Bluffs, Ia., and Mrs. W. A. VanHuss and Mrs. Patrick Mackin, of this county.

Mr. Murray came to America with nothing but a pair of willing hands and he left a fine farm of 395 acres, well improved, and other property besides. He was a good father, a good neighbor, and therefore a good citizen, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave memorial # 174636251