Obituaries Australia

John Murray, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 15 July 1908

By the death of Mr. John Murray, of Rhine Park, S.A., the Commonwealth loses a prominent citizen and a flockmaster who has exercised a wonderful influence on the great pastoral industry of Australia. He was the eldest son of John Murray, of Mt. Crawford, the founder of the Murray Merino sheep, and from boyhood he has continued the work begun by his father. He was a man of high character and sterling, and was recognised throughout Australia as a sound judge of sheep. For several years he was president of the Royal Agricultural Society of South Australia, and took a prominent part in every movement calculated to promote rural industries. On the death of his father, the late Mr. Murray became the proprietor of the Rhine Park Estate and a fourth of the flock, and in company with his brothers, Mr. Alick J. Murray and the late Messrs. T. Hope and Willie Murray, he made a name throughout Australia and New Zealand as a breeder of high-class Merino sheep. He was a successful exhibitor at the Royal Shows, and numerous prizes have been awarded to the Rhine Park sheep.

Mr. Murray, who had been in indifferent health for about twelve months, having undergone an operation last September, died on 4th July at the age of sixty-six. He left a widow, three sons—Messrs. J. L. Murray, of Rhine Park; W. S. Murray, of Cappeedee; and J.E. Murray, of Rhine Park - and four daughters - Mrs. McDonald, wife of Mr. A. J. McDonald, manager of the Canowie Estate; and Misses E. R., H., and M. Murray. Mr. Murray has also left a brother (Mr. Alick J. Murray) and a sister (Mrs. William Crozier).