Biographical Sketch of Levi McMurphy, Johnson County, Missouri,
Post Oak Township.

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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Levi McMurphy, proprietor of "Valley View Stock Farm," is one of the 
well known and respected farmers and stockmen of Warrensburg and Post
Oak townships.  His splendid stock farm comprises 360 acres of land in
Warrensburg township and 125 acres in Post Oak township.  This tract 
of land was entered from the government.  John H. Gardner entered the
land and he owned 365 and three-fourths acres.  He and his sister, 
Rebecca J., both of whom were unmarried, spent their lives on this
place.  The history of the Gardner family is an interesting one.  They
were originally from Virginia, whence they moved to Kentucky and then
to Scott county, Missouri, where they were located for some time, com-
ing to Johnson county prior to the Civil War.  The Gardner family in
this section of the country is now extinct and the graves that mark
their last resting places are to be found in Greer cemetery.  The land
on which this burial ground is situated was entered from the govern-
ment by George W. Greer, who was instrumental in the establishment of
the cemetery which is named in his honor.  There are stones marking 
the graves in this cemetery showing that burials were made there as
early as 1844.  From the inscriptions on the Gardner tombstones, one
learns the following concerning the family: "James J. Gardner died 
December 1, 1855 aged 73 years."  "Susan Gardner, his wife, died March
11, 1874, aged 86 years."  "Mahaly Gardner born October 5, 1814 and
died February 18, 1877."  "John H. Gardner died September 25, 1892 aged
86 years, 2 months and 18 days."  "Rebecca Gardner born July 29, 1810
and died January 3, 1894."  In 1894, Levi McMurphy erected the large 
monument which bears the following inscription: "Erected to the memory
of departed friends by Levi McMurphy."  All the names of the members 
of the Gardner family are on this memorial stone.  Each one lived to a
noble old age and the total sum of their combined ages is 392 years. 
The Gardners were good people, brave, enterprising, honored pioneers of
Johnson county.  Mr. Gardner and his sister, Miss Rebecca, were widely
known in this county and universally esteemed.  There are many men and
women still residents of the township, who often shared with them the
kindly hospitality of their home, and remember them well for their many
generous deeds of kindness.  "Valley View Stock Farm" is the home of
the registered Herefords, the largest herd in Johnson county.  Mr. Mc-
Murphy purchased his first registered male in 1894, "Ben Imadine," and
three years later purchased his first registered cow.  At the present
time he owns 140 head of high grade registered stock, a large number of
which are breeding cows.  When they are two years of age, Mr. McMurphy
breeds them.  The imprint of "Ben Imadine's" horns may be seen in the
cement walk in from of the McMurphy residence.  All the stock sold from
the McMurphy place is sold at private sale and Mr. McMurphy will have
disposed of all which he desires to sell this year of 1917 by the first
of December.  In 1877, Levi McMurphy and Martha Hicks were united in
marriage at Golconda, Illinois and to them have been born eight child-
ren, seven of whom are now living: March Alice, who died in infancy; 
Loy, a prominent farmer and stockman of Post Oak township; Mrs. Pearl
McCormack, Warrensburg, Missouri; James, who resides on the home place;
J. Henry, a successful farmer of Magnolia, Missouri; William M., 
Warrensburg, Missouri; Levi, Jr., at home; and Ernest, a highly regard-
ed farmer and stockman of Post Oak township.  Mr. and Mrs. McMurphy are
numbered among the most valued and substantial citizens of Johnson
county.   

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