Edward Murphy, farmer, section 15, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., on the 11th day of April, 1813. His parents, Patrick and Nancy Murphy, had a family of ten children, seven living--Ann, James, Edward, Hiram, Jane, Thomas and William. Mr. Murphy by occupation was a contractor and builder, which he followed in his native State until his death, which occurred May 8, 1835. The mother died about 1856. Edward was educated in his native State, and when eighteen years of age learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner with his father, working with him until he reached man's estate. In 1843 he married Mathilda, daughter of Burgess French. She was born in Virginia, July 9, 1820. By this union there were eleven children, five of whom are living--William H., Marcellus F., Alice (wife of Theodore Sherman), Nancy J. and Edna. In the spring of 1838 Mr. Murphy left Lancaster and went to Tazewell County, Ill., where he remained until 1844; then spent one year in Knox County, Ill. In 1845 he went to St. Joseph County, Ind., where he remained until 1860; then came to Clayton County, and located on the place where he now resides. He owns sixty acres of beautiful land, valued at $50 per acre. Mrs. Murphy died in October, 1878. In 1850 Mr. Murphy crossed the plains to California, via the overland route, and remained there one year, engaged in mining. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1052 |