John Murray

Who was John Murray?

John Murray was one of the original founders of Naperville, Illinois, with his children Sarah, Robert Nelson, Ruth, Amos and Cordelia. He was born in 15 November 1785 and was married to Joseph Naper's sister, Amy Naper.

Murray was a laborer for hire and a music teacher in the early 19th century, and was among the first settlers of Ashtabula, Ohio, along with Benjamin Naper, an older brother of Joseph. Benjamin's sister kept house for him, and John and Amy were married in 1809. John and Benjamin both served in the local Ohio regiment during the War of 1812.

Amy's family soon joined them in Ohio, and her younger brothers became Great Lakes captains, ship owners and ship builders like their father and older brothers. John Naper married Betsy Goff and started his family in Ohio, but Joseph and his wife Almeda Landon moved to New York state.

In 1831, Joseph and John Naper chose a spot near the DuPage River in Illinois where they planned to relocate. They recruited family and friends from both states to accompany them and form an instant settlement.