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Below is a family biography included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William H. Murphy, attorney at law, of Crocker, Mo., was born in Franklin County, Mo., October 26, 1844, and is a son of Isaiah T. and Rebecca J. (Clark) Murphy. The father is also a native of Franklin County, born November 18, 1815, and owing to the wild condition of the country in his boyhood days, he was compelled to be very diligent in order to obtain an education. From 1866 to 1868 he resided in Miller County, and at the latter date came to Hancock, in Pulaski County, where he supplied beef to the contractors until the completion of the road. He and his sons, T. A. and W. H., opened a store in Hancock in 1869, continuing until 1875, when he sold out to his sons and removed to Miller County, and after farming there until 1882 moved to Dixon, and is now farming near that place. His wife was born in Virginia, and with her parents moved to Illinois, thence to Missouri, where she met and married Mr. Murphy, by whom she became the mother of nine children, five of whom are living: Thomas A., William H., Perron F., Frank W. and Robert C. Those deceased are Lilburn, Anvil M., Mary and Emma. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Murphy, was born in Kentucky, and immigrated to Missouri before its admission into the Union as a State, settling on the land on which the town of Washington is now located. He was the first circuit and county clerk of the county, and there resided until his death. William H: Murphy was reared in his native county, and at the age of eighteen years enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the 18th of December, 1864, when he was wounded at Macon, Ga., while with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was at Chickasaw Bayou, being wounded and taken prisoner on the 30th of December, and sent to Vicksburg, and at the end of one month was taken to Jackson, where he was confined two and one-half months, after which he was paroled and sent to New Orleans. He was next sent to New York City, thence to Benton Barracks at St. Louis, Mo. He subsequently joined his command near Chattanooga, Tenn., and participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and numerous others. He was discharged at Central Park Hospital, New York City, and returned to Franklin County, Mo., where he accepted a position on a steamer running from St. Louis to Omaha, being assistant engineer for two years. After residing with his father one year he went to Hancock, where he located the town. In December, 1869, he was married to Miss Sallie Kanada, who is a daughter of Charles and Lucy Kanada, and was born and reared in Franklin County. They have four children: Arthur P., Kate C, Mary and William H., Jr. Mr. Murphy began the study of law in 1865, and in 1876 was admitted to the Pulaski County bar, and has since practiced his profession in Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Miller Counties. He is also engaged in the lumber business in Crocker, and owns 800 acres of land, 200 acres of which are under cultivation. In 1874 he was elected president of the Pulaski County Court to fill an unexpired term, and in his political views is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Select Knight in the A. O. U. W. He has been postmaster of Dixon and Hancock. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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