H. Eugene McMurray H. Eugene McMurray, president of the McMurray Publishing Company, was a leader in the newspaper business in Jefferson County for five decades. He was descended from a long line of newsmen. The founder of the company was Major John McMurray, a veteran of the Civil War.
During his lifetime he received a statewide reputation as one of the finest professionals in the industry. Citations from Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association testified to the high reputation with which his newspaper, the Jeffersonian Democrat was held.
H.E. McMurray learned his trade from his father, Harry McMurray. At his father's side, he also had the privilege to work with other local newsmen of legendary stature, me such as Capt. J.P. George and his son, Norton (Tony) George, William C. "Injun Bill" Smathers and Wilson Printers. He enrolled in linotype factory school in Brooklyn to learn about this machine. Since 1917, McMurray taught this skill to many others in the area.
Major McMurray purchased the newspaper from A.A. Carlisle in 1978. He published his first issue in 1880. He merged the De3mocrat with the Brookville Jeffersonian in 1994 to create the current paper in the county seat.
He died on Tuesday, December 27, 1966 at the age of 70. His sons continued to operate the newspaper, along with The Brookville American until the newspapers were sold to Independent Publications, Inc. of Bryn Mawr, PA.
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