McDonough ILGenWeb

MURPHY, Benjamin, one of the old residents of McDonough County, Ill., and formerly one of its most prominent and successful farmers, is now living in comfortable retirement on Section 36, Sciota Township, his former years of industry and thrift having been rewarded by the accumulation of an abundance of this world's treasures. Mr. Murphy is a native of the State of Ohio, where he was born in Clinton County, on November 15, 1827. His father, Benjamin Murphy, was born in Delaware, while his mother, Mary (Brown) Murphy, was a native of Virginia. Benjamin Murphy, Sr., who was also a farmer, did not arrive in McDonough County until six years after his son Benjamin had settled there. The former bought the Hickman farm in Sciota Township, which he improved, and there pursued his wonted occupation during the remainder of his life. The subject of this sketch moved from Ohio to McDonough County, Ill., in 1853, making the journey by wagon, accompanied by his wife and three children. He located on Section 34, Sciota Township, where he bought and improved eighty acres of land. This he owned about eight years, and then moved to a place just west of Good Hope, Ill., on Section 29, Walnut Grove Township. There he remained six years, cultivating a quarter-section which had been previously improved. He also owned eighty acres in Section 24, Sciota Township, where he afterward made his home, operating 160 acres in general farming and stock-raising. In 1895 he retired from active pursuits.

On February 14, 1858. Mr. Murphy was united in marriage in Clinton County, Ohio, with Louisa Munger, who departed this life in 1880. The following children resulted from their union, namely: James, deceased; John W., who is engaged in farming in Walnut Grove Township, McDonough County; Cynthia (Mrs. Ross), deceased; Thomas, who carries on farming in Sciota Township; and Ellsworth, who lives on the homestead. John W. was married in 1887 to Lizzie Sanderson, of Henderson County, Ill.; and to them was born one daughter, who died infancy. Thomas was married in 1891 to Ida Schultz, of Iowa, and they are the parents of one son, Carmen. Ellsworth married Maude Lowe, who was born in McDonough County, and they are the parents of one boy, Verne.

Although the subject of this sketch is no longer interested in political affairs to an active extent, he was formerly an earnest supporter of the Republican party. During a long, industrious and upright career, he has discharged with fidelity the duties incident to all the relations of life, maintaining a record free from reproach, and his declining years are attended by the sincere respect and cordial good wishes of all who know him.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 962-963, extracted 12 Sep 2019 by Norma Hass.