Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [227]

           JOHN W. MURPHY, farmer, section 35, Grant Township, was born in
        Cumberland Co., Eng., July 28, 1832. His parents, JAMES and HANNAH
        (WALKER) MURPHY, were natives respectively of Ireland and England.
        After their marriage they settled in the latter country, whence
        they emigrated to Canada in 1854, and settled in Middlesex County.
        The father died there, Nov. 13, 1864. The mother removed thence to
        Tuscola County, where she died, July 31, 1873. The senior MURPHY
        was a school-teacher by profession, and followed that business 25
        years in England and five yars after his removal to Canada. Their
        children were MARY A., RUTH, JOHN W., WILLIAM, CHRISTOPHER, FRANCIS
        and EDWARD. Two died in infancy.
           MR. MURPHY obtained a fair education in his native country,
        where he was also engaged in farming until he reached manhood. He
        was 21 years of age when he came to Canada, in 1853, and had a cash
        capital of 25 cents when he reached London, Ont. He found employ-
        ment without delay, and hired out as a farm laborer at $10 a month.
        He contributed the first $25 which he earned to the benefit of his
        parents. After laboring about 20 months, he rented a farm of 100
        acres, which he managed several years. After this he rented another
        farm of similar dimensions. He continued in the management of these
        two farms 13 years. In the winter of 1869 he located in Sanilac
        Co., Mich., buying 280 acres of land in the township of Greenleaf.
        He entered vigorously into the work of clearing and improving, and
        in the nine years of his proprietorship of the place cleared 95
        acres, and erected two good barns, with other suitable and neces-
        sary farm buildings. He remained in Greenleaf Township until the
        fall of 1877. In the spring following he came to Grant Township and
        settled on 160 acres of land which he had purchased during the year
        previous. He has added to it by later purchase until his estate
        includes 360 acres, with 150 acres in a fine state of cultivation,
        three excellent barns, a substantial dwelling, a fine herd of cat-
        tle containing 50 head, eight horses and other stock. He is a lead-
        ing agriculturist of the county and a prominent citizen in his
        township.
           His political views are with the Republican element.  In the
        spring of 1879 he was elected Supervisor of his township and held
        the position four years.
           MR. MURPHY was married Jan. 28, 1856, in London, Ont., to
        ELIZABETH HEDLEY.  Their children are WILLIAM, MARY A., JAMES,
        THOMAS and DAVID.  JAMES died before he was two years old.  MRS.
        MURPHY was born in England, and is the daughter of WILLIAM and MARY
        (BOYD) HEDLEY.  Her parents were natives of England, where they
        died.  Mr. and Mrs. MURPHY were brought up in the Church of Eng-
        land, and are supporters of the same at present.

===========================================================================
If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more
of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to
the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================