Thomas Murphy

Thomas Murphy  (1811-1901) was born in Ohio County, W.V., and by 21 years of age had crossed Ohio and part of Indiana to marry Sarah Sutton (1814-1864).

Although he must have retained a clear mind until the advanced age of 90, he seems not to have divulged much information about his family other than that his father's name was also Thomas and his grandfather's was Samuel. It is supposed they were from Protestant Ireland.

Sarah Sutton was born in Butler County, Ohio, and was of the same family as Thomas Hamilton Sutton.

Thomas and Sarah Murphy were married at her home in Rush county, Ind., in 1832. Following her death and in 1866, he bought 120 acres of the estate of her father, David Sutton, at the courthouse for $280. Several of their children lived near him in Pleasant Grove School District, where Larry Murphy, a great, great, great-grandson now lives, a place long owned by Harry Findley. Thomas Murphy's last years were spent on the farm of his daughter, Mary Jane Murphy Miller, and her family. He was a primitive cabinet-maker. The members of the family still cherish some of his work.

Thomas and Sarah Murphy's children were Mary Jane (1838); David (1836-1859); Burns, who was born in 1841 and died the same day; William Riley (1846-1881); twin sons Alonzo (1850-1870) and Alfonzo; Phebe (1856, and Judith A. (1843).

Mary Jane Murphy married Graf Miller

William Riley Murphy married Margaret Wright (1848-1904). She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary Weekley Wright and was born in Muskingum County, Ohio. Their children were Thomas Daniel (1868-1926), Edward (1871-1946), and Ella Mae.

Alfonzo Murphy married Mary Daniels. They were the parents of Dora, who married Samuel Umbarger; Bertha and Lucy, who married Ernie Hall. His wife, Mary, in her late years suffered a stroke and a chiropractor came to her home regularly for treatments. Their little house was log covered with boards. Edward Murphy, a nephew, bought and demolished the house. The well on the place reputedly had calomel in it.

Phebe Murphy married William Findley. Their children were Lulu, who married Homer Brosman and ran a cane mill near Auburn; Daisy, who married Louis Stevenson and then a Marjorie Davidson; Roxie, who married a Zimmerly; Virgie, who married an Aldrich; and Thomas, who married Mary Lake. Harry Findley's children were Virginia Faye, who married John Thompson; and Dean, who married Mildred Spittler. Roxie Zimmerly's son was Charles Everett.

Judith A. Murphy married an Ulmer, who had six minor orphaned children when his property was settled in 1899. Her children were Otto, Thomas, Charles, James, Joseph, and Sadie. It is thought the went to Missouri.

Thomas Daniel Murphy

Thomas Daniel Murphy (1868-1926) son of William and Margaret Murphy, married Carrie (Kit) Myers, daughter of James Myers. They were the parents of Russell, Harry, Truman, and Joe.

Russell Murphy (1898-1969) married Ethel Menk. Their children were Donald, who married Alma Jean Tolbert; Margaret, who married Carl Beard; Richard, who married Norma Blockinger; and Ray, who married Faye Smitley. Donald and Alma Jean Murphy had Richard Arnold and Larry Eugene. Richard and Rita Murphy have a daughter Heather. Larry Murphy married Wanda Huston, and their children are Kevin and Denise. Margaret and Carl Beard's daughter, Carolyn, married Stephen K. Shawler, and their children are Eric and Amy Jo. Richard and Norma Murphy's son Edward is deceased.

Harry Murphy (1903-1975) married Mabel Claypool (1904-1975), daughter of George and Clara Claypool. George Thomas Murphy, their son, married Jean Lovett. They are the parents of Thomas, Brian, and Maryann. Thomas Murphy married Elaine Cannady and Jeff, Gail and Carrie are their children.

Truman Murphy (1905-1969) married Opal Kirchner, daughter of John and Reba Clapp Kirchner. They are the parents of William D. and Betty. William D. Murphy married Margaret (Peg) Robinson and they are the parents of Kathryn and Matthew. Betty Murphy married Harold Myers and Michael is their son.

Joe Murphy (1909-1966), the youngest son to live to adulthood, first married Helen Jane Fox, daughter of Emil and Ruth Thomas Fox. They were the parents of Antone Max and Terry. Antone Murphy married Shirley O'Rourke and their children are Debra, Todd and Scott. Terry Murphy married Delores Wilhoit. Their children are Terri Lynn, Timothy, Jean, and Tina. Terry Murphy and son Timothy are deceased.

Joe Murphy's second wife was Gene Strohm. Their children are Beverly, Mike and Joyce. Beverly Murphy married Ronald Washburn and their children are Lori, Troy and Annette. Mike Murphy married Beverly Higginbotham. They have a daughter Melissa.