Biographical Sketch (1892):12, p. 303-304. "Robert and Mary (Hurst) McMurray, both of whom were born in England. The parents emigrated to this country when single, and were married in the Blue Grass State. They had a family of three children, of whom [William James] is the youngest. He remained in his native State until reaching his eleventh year, when, in 1860, in company with his mother, he came to Wapakoneta, where he attended the excellent schools of this city. His father having died when he was only six months old, the family, subsequent to the time just mentioned, moved to St. Mary's, where young McMurray further prosecuted his studies."

Death Before 1850:1773 Wife Mary apparently a widow at the time of the 1850 U.S. census. Mary was enumerated on 3 September 1850 in the household of her father-in-law in Washington Township, Auglaize County, Ohio with her three children.