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Archiver > MI-GENEALOGY > 2001-12 > 1009386527


From: Dorothy Paul <>
Subject: [MI-Genealogy] Bio - Erastus MURPHY, b. 1842
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 12:14:32 -0500


Please consider inputting biographies from Michigan County history books
into Rootsweb County Boards:
<http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties>;

Here is a sample of what is being done in Berrien and Cass Counties:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Surnames: Murphy, Jenkins, Hackney, Michael, Williams, Snavely, Becker,
Lybrook, Johnson
********************

Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, 1893

pp. 614-617

Erastus MURPHY, a practical general agriculturist and leading citizen, now
reside in upon section 16, Berrien Township, Berrien County, Mich., has
spent his entire life in his present locality, and was born upon the
well-known Murphy farm July 18, 1842. The father of our subject, Isaac
Murphy, was a native Virginian, born in 1811. The paternal grandfather was
a Marylander and a farmer by occupation. The family came originally from
Wales to America, a direct ancestor settling in Maryland some time prior to
the Revolutionary War. The mother of Mr. Murphy was a girlhood Miss Eliza
Jenkins, and born in Ohio in 1815, was a daughter of the Hon. Baldwin
Jenkins, a Pennsylvanian by birth but of Welsh descent. He was an early
settler of Greene County, Ohio, and, a man of enterprise, journeyed to
Michigan in 1822. Settling in Pokagon Township, Cass County, he became one
of the very early pioneers of the wilderness, passing his first winter in
an Indian wigwam. He remained permanently in Pokagon, became a member of
the Legislature, and assisted in framing the constitution of Michigan. He
took an active part in politics, and passed away honored by all who knew
him. His wife was Mary Hackney, a native of Pennsylvania. The maternal
grandfather and grandmother were the parents of five sons and three
daughters, three of whom survive, John, Nimrod and Silas.

The paternal grandfather died in Virginia, and his widow, who afterward
married in Ross County, Ohio, William Michael, removed with her family to
Michigan an settled in the southeastern part of section 16, Berrien
Springs. The children Grandfather Murphy, four sons and two daughters, are
now all deceased. By the second marriage the grandmother had two sons,
B.H. and Noah. The parents of our subject married in Pokagon Township, all
then wild land. The father cultivated eighty acres of the homestead and
also improved another large farm. He died January 21, 1893, and the mother
passed away five days later, January 26, 1893. They were the beloved
parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are yet surviving: John J.,
Erastus, Lydia Williams, Albert, Almeda Snavely, Eliza Becker and
Isaac. The father was a prominent man of the township and took an active
part in all public matters. He was a liberal giver to all religious and
educational enterprises. He was a man of courage, and a soldier in the Sac
Indian War in Michigan.

Politically, Mr. Murphy was in early life a Whig, but later became a
Republican. His brother George was Township Clerk for some length of time,
and also ably occupied the office Supervisor. For many years the father
served most acceptably as Justice of the Peace, and also for some length of
time discharged with fidelity the duties of Constable. As delegate, he
represented his constituents at various conventions. Isaac Murphy was a
thoroughly honest and upright man, opposed to wrong and a lover of
peace. He had many true friends, and his death was mourned by all who knew
him. His good wife, a devout member of the Dunkard Church, was a sincere
Christian woman.

Our subject was reared on the Murphy farm and was educated in the excellent
schools of the district. He began the work of a farmer boy at a very early
age, and arriving at maturity was united in marriage with Miss Mary
Johnson, April 19, 1866. Mrs. Murphy was a daughter of John and Annie
(Lybrook) Johnson, and a sister of ex-Sheriff John Johnson and Mrs. W.H.
Miller. She was born January 23, 1842, in Berrien Township, and is a lady
of worth and culture. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Murphy
settled upon the north half of the old Murphy homestead, and remained there
until 1874, with the exception of two years, when they resided in Galien
Township. From 1874 our subject has made his permanent home upon his
present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, ninety acres of which he has
brought to a high state of cultivation. In 1884 he erected the handsome
residence which cost $1,200, aside from the labor involved and a quantity
of material Mr. Murphy had on hand. The commodious barn caused another
outlay of $700. The comfort and happiness of his family have ever been
matters of paramount importance to Mr. Murphy, who, in 1865, built an
attractive residence on the old home farm, costing a large amount of money,
as he had to pay eleven cents per pound for nails. Aside from the pursuit
of agriculture, our subject finds employment as administrator, and as
guardian for various minors has proved himself possessed of superior
executive ability and judgement. He has successfully managed several
estates entrusted to his care, and given to the work the able fidelity
which has characterized the entire labor of his life.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are the parents of six children: Ada A., Henry C., Lena
Alice, Myron E., Sylvia M. and Cordelia E. The sons and daughters received
a good education, and Henry C. is a book-keeper at Indianapolis, Ind. Our
subject has been active in he conduct of agricultural societies and is now
Secretary of an association at Berrien Springs. He is a Patron of
Husbandry at Berrien Centre and has held with efficiency all the offices,
and was Lecturer for four or five years. Politically, Mr. Murphy is a
Republican, and, prominently connected with local politics, has given
excellent service as Township Clerk, Township Constable, Treasurer, School
Inspector, and for seventeen years occupied the judicial position of
Justice of the Peace, discharging the duties of office to the great
satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. Our subject has also frequently
represented his party at conventions, and possesses the esteem and
confidence of a host of sincere friends.


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