Francis M. Murphy Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1280-1281 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	A photo of Francis M. Murphy faces page 1280.


	FRANCIS M. MURPHY.—Born and educated on the western verge of 
Missouri, removing in his youth to southern Colorado, and coming to the 
Black Hills in the full flush and vigor of his manhood, and having thus 
been practically a pioneer in three states of the great West, the late 
Francis M. Murphy, of Pennington county, was the very embodiment of its 
spirit, the broad sweep of its vision, the prodigious enterprise that 
drives its activities, and its daring faith which laughs at 
impossibilites and challenges fate herself into the lists ready to meet 
her on almost equal terms. His life began on December 22, 1843, in 
Platte county, Missouri, and he lived there until he reached the age of 
sixteen years, receiving in the public schools of that county all the 
book learning he ever got from academic teaching. In 1859, when he was 
just completing his sixteenth year, he accompanied his parents to 
Colorado, and with them settled in the southern part of the state. There 
he united with his father in extensive farming operations, working for a 
few years at a salary and then becoming a partner in the business. This 
relation continued until 1870, when he was married and started a similar 
enterprise in raising stock and general farming for himself. This he 
conducted with success until 1879, when he deemed it wise to try his 
fortunes amid the glowing promises of the Black Hills, and leaving his 
family at their Colorado home, he came directly to Rapid City, arriving 
in November, and bringing with him a band of cattle as a basis of 
operations. He took a squatter's claim on Rapid creek, five miles 
southeast of the city, and in the following spring, after the government 
survey had been made, filed on the land he had taken up, and this he 
made his home until his death. It is still occupied by his widow and 
children, and shows in its development and the well disposed and 
valuable improvements he made on it the character of his enterprise and 
progressiveness. He remained in this section until the spring of 1880, 
then returned to Colorado, closed out his interests there, and brought 
his family to their new abiding place. The cattle he brought with him on 
his first trip had wintered well and were in good condition for the 
enlargement of his stock industry, and he at once widened its scope and 
increased its proportions to more imposing magnitude, at the same time 
preparing to carry on in connection with it a vigorous general farming 
business suited to his circumstances. He worked hard to get his land 
fully irrigated and in good condition, and in all his undertakings in 
this connection was very successful, being accounted at his untimely 
death, on March 26, 1900, one of the leading individual farmers anti 
cattle growers in this part of the state. Being energetic, progressive 
and public-spirited, his influence in business circles and along 
industrial lines was felt far and wide, and was always wholesome and 
elevating in its effect; and his death was universally felt to be a loss 
to the county and state in which he had cast his lot, as well as a 
personal bereavement to the admiring friends whom he numbered by the 
host. He took an active part in public affairs also; and although a 
Democrat in politics, and a staunch supporter of his party in state and 
national issues, he was not partisan, but patriotic in local affairs, 
and clearly saw and ardently worked for the best interests of the 
community without reference to party or personal considerations. He was 
buried at Rapid City with many demonstrations of popular esteem, and his 
last hours were brightened with the reflection that his enterprise and 
capacity had secured ample provision for the comfort of his family after 
his decease. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, with membership in 
the lodge at Rapid City. 

	On October 10, 1870, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah J. Morris, a native of Missouri, but living at the time in 
Arapahoe county, Colorado, where the marriage occurred. They became the 
parents of four children, Isaac M., David R., Mary E. (Mrs. Haas) and 
Edna. The sons are now, in connection with their mother, carrying on the 
business. They have taken up land of their own, and with their mother 
hold everything in common; and although it is high praise, it is but a 
just meed to merit to say that they are in every way worthy followers of 
their father.