Magnus Miller Murray
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Magnus Miller Murray (February 22, 1787 – March 4, 1838), served as the mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1828 to 1830 and again from 1831 to 1832. Mayor Murray now rests in Section 19, Lot 29 of Allegheny Cemetery.
Magnus Miller Murray | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Magnus Miller Murray, c. 1828–1832 | |
| 4th & 6th Mayor of Pittsburgh | |
| In office 1831–1832 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew B. Lowrie |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Pettigrew |
| In office 1828–1830 | |
| Preceded by | John M. Snowden |
| Succeeded by | Matthew B. Lowrie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 22, 1787 |
| Died | March 4, 1838 (aged 51) |
| Resting place | Allegheny Cemetery |
| Spouse | Mary Wilkins |
| Relations | Alexander Murray (father) William Wilkins (uncle) |
| Children | James Butler Murray |
_with_his_father_(L).jpg)
Early life
Murray was born in Philadelphia, to Commodore Alexander Murray and Mary Miller Murray. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Magnus Miller, a local merchant. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees. On January 6, 1806 he was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar. He married Mary Wilkens, daughter of John Wilkins, Jr. and Catherine Reagan Murray, on February 23, 1810.
Pittsburgh politics
Murray began politics as an understudy to his uncle, area judge and political insider William Wilkins.
Under Murray's mayoral administration, the Western Terminus of the Pennsylvania Canal was completed along the Grant Street corridor of the city. Murray was the first of a handful of Pittsburgh mayors to serve two non-consecutive terms in office, having to cede control of the mayor's office to Matthew B. Lowrie from 1830 to 1831, before regaining his mayoral powers.
Honors
Murray's son, James Butler Murray, President of the First Exchange Bank of Pittsburgh is remembered in the naming of Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Membership
Member of The Society of the Cincinnati as the oldest male heir of Commodore Alexander Murray.
Other
His daughter, Julia N. Murray, married politician John V. Le Moyne. Murray is an ancestor of actress Julie Bowen.[1]
