James J. Murray worked at Bushwick

THE LATE JAMES J. MURRAY.

IT was our sad duty last week to chronicle the death of one of the most prominent glass manufacturers of Philadelphia in the person of James J. Murray. He underwent an operation for renal calculi two years ago, from the effects of which he and his friends thought he had fully recovered, but complications set in that resulted in an acute attack, and death followed November 10th, after a week's illness.

Mr. Murray grew up in the glass business. Immediately after leaving school he became shipping clerk in the Kent avenue and Morton street factory, Brooklyn, then run by Leach, Sneider & Pelietier. This was in 1869. When this factory passed into other hands, although a mere boy he was selected as business manager for the Bushwick Glass Works on Maujer street, Brooklyn, owned by Hoover & Dannenhoffer. In 1878 Mr. Murray went to Philadelphia, casting his fortunes with the factory at York and Thompson streets, then operated by McCrea & Gill. This factory soon took a leading position, and the firm name of Gill & Murray soon became favorably known to all the glass dealers in the United States. From renters they soon became owners of the Washington Flint Glass Works. In 1886 Mr. Murray left Mr. Gill in charge of the old plant and erected the factory now bearing his name at Trenton avenue, Culvert and Waterloo streets.

Until he felt the effects of ill health he seldom took a vacation. He knew only two places — his factory and his home. Four years ago, however, he visited Europe, traveling extensively in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland. This was one of the bright spots in his life of constant industry. What pleased him most in all he saw was a little spot in the northern part of the County of Antrim, Ireland, the home of his ancestors, where he himself saw the light of day August 9, 1853, but which he did not remember, having removed to America with his parents in 1856.

Mr. Murray was of an amiable disposition, a good conversationalist and a most pleasant companion. He leaves a widow and three young children.