My Genealogy Hound

Asburry B. Murphy, merchant, McNeil, Ark. In McNeil there is a good deal of barter transacted between the farmers and storekeepers, the farmers bringing in produce, and exchanging it for commodities. On this account, there are many stores where groceries, dry goods, glassware, etc., are kept in general stock. Holding a prominent place among those doing business in this manner is Mr. Asburry B. Murphy, who has been established in business here since 1883. He was originally from Alabama, his birth occurring October 27, 1842, and was the son of Allen Murphy, who was born in South Carolina, about 1781. The father died in 1853 in Ouachita County (what is now Columbia County), Ark. He had emigrated from Alabama to what is now Columbia County, Ark., in 1849, and there received his final summons. He was of Irish descent. He had been married twice, and became the father of eight children by his first union. His second marriage was to Miss Martha Rogers, who was born in Florida, in 1797, and who died in August, 1887, when in her ninetieth year. She was the mother of four children, our subject being the third in order of birth. The latter was about eight years of age, when he moved with his parents to Arkansas, and there he was reared and received a limited education in the common schools of this county. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, and served all through the war. He was in the siege artillery, Jackson’s brigade, and was taken prisoner at Vicksburg, but shortly after was paroled. In 1883 Mr. Murphy engaged in merchandising at McNeil, Ark., but had followed agricultural pursuits previous to that time. He carries a stock of goods, valued at $3,500, of general merchandise, and is doing a good business. He has never married, and his sister Araminta, now a widow, keeps house for him. He is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential vote was for Seymour.