About Ben McMurry Sr.

Benjamin Franklin McMurry Sr. was born March 3, 1885 to Joseph Campbell McMurry and Harriet Jane Pickens, in the Eusebia area of Blount County. In his childhood, the McMurrys relocated to Fountain City. Ben met Charlie at the University of Pennsylvania when both were students. He graduated in 1912. 

After graduation, Ben worked for Pell & Corbett in New York City — designers of the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, AIA Medal of Honor winning Maryland Institute, and New York School of Applied Design for Women. Ben returned to Knoxville after only a few years, reconnecting with Charles Barber. 

While Charlie was the acclaimed designer at Barber McMurry in the early days, Ben generally ran the business side of the company. Notably, he designed his own home in Sequoyah Hills in the early 1920s, in a simple Colonial style. Ben married Ruth Searle and they had three children: Ben Jr., Joseph Searle, and Melissa. 

Ben’s older brother, Andrew, was a contractor at the same time Charlie and Ben owned Barber McMurry. Andrew's company, A.R. McMurry, collaborated with Barber McMurry on numerous projects, including the Lindsay Young YMCA and the original St. Mary’s Hospital along Emerald Avenue.

Ben Sr. died in 1969.