OWEN MURRAY, who resides on his valuable farm of forty-three acres, which is situated in Newberry Township, on the Troy Turnpike Road, about one mile southeast of Covington, Ohio, was born November 17, 1858, on an adjoining farm, which is still occupied by his mother. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Shellebarger) Murray.

Samuel Murray was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, a son of David and Elizabeth (Kimmel) Murray. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Miami County and settled in Newberry Township. When he reached manhood he married Mary Shellebarger, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Mohler) Shellebarger. She was born in Pennsylvania and was five years old when her parents came to Miami County. Her father, Jacob Shellebarger, entered land in Newberry Township, which he cleared and developed into a good farm. For some time after their marriage Samuel Murray and wife lived on a farm situated on the Piqua Turnpike Road, after which they moved to the farm on which Owen Murray was born. On that farm Samuel Murray spent the remainder of his useful and exemplary life, his death occurring on November 10 1895, when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was a member of the old order of the Dunkard or German Baptist Church, a people noted for their simplicity of life and their high moral standards. In this same simple faith he reared his family. Eight children were born to Samuel Murray and wife, the five survivors being Owen, Catherine, Emma and Ella (all married and living in California), and Charles, who resides on the homestead with the venerable mother.

Owen Murray has devoted himself to farming and his land in its fine state of cultivation shows that he has given it a great deal of attention. His crops are the usual ones of this section-wheat, oats, corn, hay and tobacco-all doing well. He married Sarah E. Shaw, a daughter of Samuel M. and Catherine Shaw. She was reared in Shelby County. After they were married they went to housekeeping on the present farm, and the substantial buildings were put up by Mr. Murray. They have no children. They are members of the old order Dunkard Church.