The Quincy Herald Whig (Quincy, Illinois), Wednesday, June 6, 1928; Page: 14

Mrs. Murphy, 87, Native of Adams County, Is Dead

Widow of W. H. Murphy Resided in Quincy for Fifty-five Years.

Mrs. Margaret Ann Murphy, 87, one of the oldest natives of Adams county and one of the best known, died in her home, 622 Broadway, Tuesday evening at 6:30 o'clock.

Born on a farm near Columbus, November 23, 1840, Mrs. Murphy was a daughter of Isaac and Susan Sammons. She was married in 1857 to Benjamin F. DeMoss. Five years after their marriage, in 1862, the husband enlisted in the Federal army and died two years later in Andersonville prison, leaving the widow with two small children. Mrs. Murphy thus knew not only the privations of the pioneer in her early days on her father's farm, but also the hardships of the Civil war widow.

In 1873, she was married to William H. Murphy, who was, for many years, in the insurance business in Quincy. He died in 1902. One daughter, Edith, was born to this union. She died in 1918. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Mary Hosford of Quincy, and Mrs. N. T. Potter, of Harrisonville, Mo.; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. One of a family of ten children, one boy and nine girls, Mrs. Murphy leaves four sisters, Mrs. Lany Brelsford of Polo, Mo.; Mrs. Abby Johnson of Sacremento, Cal.; Mrs. Emma Curry of Harrisonville, Mo., and Mrs. Olive Featheringill of Chicago.

For fifty-five years Mrs. Murphy had lived in Quincy, and for a quarter of a century at 622 Broadway, with her daughter, Mrs. Hosford. She saw the city grow, and living under many presidents, from Martin Van Buren to Calvin Coolidge, saw the abolition of slavery, the passing of the saloon, and the enfranchisement of women, things that few dreamed of at the time of her birth.

Mrs. Murphy united with the Christian church at Pleasant View many years ago and was the oldest member of the First Christian church in Quincy. She was active in the Ladies' Aid society of the church and was much interested in the building of the new church. She had a part in the ceremonies incident to the breaking of ground for the building, but because of illness was unable to be present at the dedication last Sunday. Many years ago she united with the Women's Christian Temperance union, and was active in the work of that organization in Quincy.

Head of five generations, an honor few attain, Mrs. Murphy was never happier than when surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was of the older school of home-loving, motherly type of womanhood, and was best known by many who loved her as "Aunt Marg." Of a kindly, gentle and generous nature, she had a place in many hearts.