332                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY


tions and private life, as well as in his business career, he has earned the
high honor of his associates. From the very commencement of his inde-
pendent career he has made steady advancement in the business world,
utilizing his opportunities to good advantage, and his entire record is
characterized by an orderly progression that has led to good results.

    JOHN MURPHY, now practically living retired, was in former years
closely identified with business interests in Brazil and maintained an
unassailable reputation for commercial integrity as well as enterprise, hold-
ing at all times to a high standard of business ethics. He was born in
county Mayo, Ireland, June 12, 1838, his parents being John and Mary
(Gallagher) Murphy, both of whom were natives of county Mayo. They
spent their entire lives on the Emerald Isle, as did the paternal grand-
father of our subject, Patrick Murphy, who followed farming as a life
work in Ireland. To that occupation John Murphy was reared and he
continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his life’s labors were
ended in death. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and in
that faith reared his family. He died at the age of fifty-two years and
his widow, surviving him for a number of years, passed away at the age
of sixty-nine. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are
now living: John, of this review; Patrick, who resides in Clay county,
Indiana; Anthony, who makes his home on Ashley street in Brazil; and
Michael M., who is living in Rhode Island.
    John Murphy, reared and educated in his native country, became an
apprentice at an early age in a loom factory. In 1849 he left the land of
his nativity and went to England, after which he returned to Ireland, but
on the 3d of February, 1870, he sailed for the new world, attracted by the
opportunities which, according to report, were to be secured in this coun-
try. He landed at New York city on the 16th of February and soon after-
ward made his way Allegheny county, Pennsylvana, where he engaged
in mining coal, he spent but a brief period there, however, for on the
1st of May of the same year he arrived in Brazil, Indiana, where he was
engaged in mining until the early ‘80s. During that period he carefully
saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to justify his engaging
in the grocery business on his own account. Accordingly he opened a
store at Benwood, which he conducted successfully until 1890. In the
meantime, in 1888, he was elected sheriff of the county and filled the posi-
tion so acceptably during his two years’ term that in 1890 he was re-
elected. In order to facilitate his official service he removed to the county
seat and embarked in the harness business in Brazil, in which he con-
tinued for about a year. On the expiration of that period he again became
connected with the grocery trade and for three or four years conducted
a store in that line, after which he turned his business over to his son
in 1903. He was then engaged in the coal trade until the 5th of August,
1905, when he retired to enjoy Well merited rest.
    In 1859, in England, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss
Mary A. Welch, who was born December 12, 1838. She was a native of
county Sligo, Ireland, and a daughter of Martin and Mary Welch, both of
whom were born in county Sligo and spent their entire lives there. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born twelve children, but six of the num-
ber are now deceased. Those still living are: Thomas; Michael; Martin;
Mary; Joseph; and Sarah, the wife of Francis Turner.