Harvey R. Murphy

As printed in 1906

HARVEY R. MURPHY, who is now living a retired life on his pleasant farm in section 14, Berrien township, was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 27, 1822, a son of William Murphy, a native of Hardy county. West Virginia. After the death of his father William Murphy moved the family to Ross county, Ohio, and later to Licking county, that state, where he was married to Nancy Rogers, a native of Pennsylvania. After their marriage they removed to Delaware county, Indiana, in 1836, but about 1842 returned to Ohio and in 1850 came to Michigan, establishing their home in the then woods of Berrien township, Berrien county. There the father passed away in death when he had reached the age of eighty-one years, his wife having preceded him to the home beyond, dying when seventy-seven years of age. Of the eight children born to them, seven sons and one daughter, only two are now living, Harvey R. and his brother Dr. J. M. Murphy.

Harvey R. Murphy, whose name introduces this review, came wath his parents to Michigan in 1850, and about three years after his arrival here took up his above on the farm where he now lives. He was a carpenter by trade, and his first house in this county was a little one-story house in the woods, sixteen by sixteen feet. To establish a home amid such surroundings and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All those were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil. In the work of growth and upbuilding Mr. Murphy has ever borne his part, has been honorable in business, loyal in friendship, faithful in citizenship, and now in his declining years he can look back over the past with little occasion for regret.

In Licking county, Ohio, in 1847, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Laura Buckland, a daughter of William and Anna (Lewis) Buckland natives of Vermont. Mrs. Murphy, the third daughter and sixth child of their seven children, four sons and three daughters, was born in Licking county, Ohio, August II, 1828, and was reared and educated in her native place. Three children were born to bless this union: Charles, who was born in Ohio, and died in Berrien township, Berrien county, in November, 1905. He married Emma Pembrook, and they had one son, Alvah L. Emma is the wife of Isaac M. Smith, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. William H., born May 24, 1860, in Berrien township, was married March 23, 1884, to Agnes E. Ober, a daughter of David and Barbara (Brunner) Ober, and they have one child, Eda R. Mr. Murphy v/fi-i>ni-> gives his political support to the Democratic party, his first presidential vote having been cast for James K. Polk, and he has been honored by his party with many political offices, having served as township treasurer for six years, was justice of the peace for four years, and was supervisor of Berrien township one year. Hei is a member of the Berrien Center Baptist church, of which he was one of the first trustees, holding that position for forty-two years, while for forty years he was secretary of the church, for many years was its treasurer and he is now trustee.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.