All About Murray

The our town program on Murray and the Murray Cemetery was held on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at the Wells County Historical Museum Annex. Pictured here is the Murray School House. It’s use was discontinued when Lancaster School was constructed. It was later used as for apartments and storage before it was torn down.

Thank you to the actors who portrayed various residents of the town of Murray. Pictured left to right are: Ben Jones as Pvt. Stephen Parkison, 1821-1865; Alan Daugherty as Allan Norcross, 1802-1879; Richard Blanton as Adam Hatfield, 1793-1848; Connie Brubaker, Murray Cemetery history; Larry McAfee as James McAfee, 1790-1862; Marsha Hotopp as Elizabeth Miller, 1834-1898; Dennis Dailey as Capt. Lewis Dailey, 1842-1862; Cindy Hedges as Hannah Shady, 1845-1913.

Connie Brubaker share a historical overview of the Murray Cemetery which was established in 1832. The land for the cemetery was donated by Oscar and Rev. Elijah Sutton and their wives.

Marsha Hotopp portrayed Elizabeth Miller who is listed as the first white child born in Wells County at Murray.

Richard Blanton portrayed Adam Hatfield who was a Murray resident in 1838.

Dennis Dailey portrayed Capt. Lewis Dailey who died from a bullet wound to the foot while on the way to the Battle of Pea Ridge. He is buried at Murray Cemetery.

Larry McAfee portrayed his relative, James McAfee who was born in Ireland, moved to Ohio and later purchased land near Kingsland (Wells County) in 1853.

Ben Jones portrayed Pvt. Stephen Parkison who has the unfortunate honor of being the next to last Union soldier who died in the Civil War. He is buried at Murray Cemetery.

Cindy Hedges portrayed Hannah Shady who part of the 2nd and 4th generations of Jones-Shady pioneer family women buried at Murray Cemetery.

Alan Daugherty portrayed Allan Norcross who was know to have led a secluded and frugal life in Murray.

Thank you to Dawn Johnloz Musselman who shared some family history of the Murray and the Johnloz Family.

The days of the huckster truck that was operated by the Johnloz Family.

The grocery store operated by the Johnloz Family.

Jerri Lehman who is the chair of the Wells County Cemetery Commission shared information about restoration work that will be happening at the Murray Cemetery in 2025 thanks to a $50,000 allocation from the county and anticipated $15,000 grant.

Special thank you to the Wells County Genealogy Society and the Wells County Historical Society for organizing the event.