Obituaries Australia

John Murray, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 15 December 1917

By the death of the Hon. John Murray, M.L.C., which occurred at Longreach, Queensland, last month, there has been removed from the political arena one of the most highly respected pastoralists and legislators of the northern State.

Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1841, Mr. Murray came to Australia when he was about eleven years of age. At the early age of 20, he, with his brother, became interested in the cattle industry, and for two or three years shipped cattle from Twofold Bay to New Zealand, but the outbreak of pleuro practically ruined the enterprise, and the business was abandoned.

Travelling to Rockhampton in 1863 in search of a sphere for his energies he decided to settle there, and ultimately took up farming and grazing pursuits, and became owner of several pastoral properties in the State. It was not long before he became identified with public matters. In 1888 he entered politics, and was returned member for Normanby. He was a very staunch supporter of Sir Thomas Mcllwraith. He occupied various positions, principally that of Minister for Railways and Minister for Public Instruction. In 1902 he was raised to the Upper House and given the position of vice-president of the Legislative Council. He was a good administrator, and managed his various departments with considerable ability.

Adherents and opponents alike held him in the highest respect, and in every part of Queensland he was regarded as a man of the highest integrity, whose word was his bond, and whose one desire was to discharge the important duties devolving upon him in a manner conducive to the best interests of the State.

Mr. Murray was married twice, and is survived by his widow and a family of five sons (Stuart, Campbell, Gavin, Colin, and Norman), and two daughters, Mrs. W. E. Graham and Miss Janet Murray.