John Edwin Murphy was born September 1, 1859, in the state of Illinois and departed this life September 17, 1947, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. L. Anderson, in Howard, Kansas, age 83 years and one day. He and his parents came to Kansas when he was about ten years of age, locating near Pittsburg.
He was united in marriage in 1879 to Ellen McCollum. To this union were born four children, two dying in infancy. The two children surviving are Fred Murphy of Wichita, Kansas, and Mrs. Viola Lund of Phoenix, Arizona.
His wife passed away in 1836. On July 24, 1887, he was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Adams. To this union were born eight children, two dying in infancy. One daughter, Mrs. Pearl Heater, passed away 20 years ago last April. The living children are Harrison Murphy of near Elk Falls, Mrs. Lizzie Anderson and Mrs. Mae Riggs of Howard, Johnnie Murphy and Mrs. Leovicy Hastings of near Howard. The mother of these children passed away April 2, 1937.
He also has been a loving father to Mrs. Edith Davis of Howard, who he and his wife took to raise when almost three years old. The five children near Howard and Edith were by his bedside at the time of his death. He leaves 35 grandchildren and 43 great grand children. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Lew Hamilton of Mulberry, Kansas; one brother and sister having preceded him in death.
He came to Elk county in 1902 and has lived most of that time near and in Howard.
He obeyed the Gospel about 36 years ago and to say he was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, would be putting it too mildly. He studied his Bible constantly and never missed a Sunday at church, even after he got too feeble to get in and out of a car. He would walk the one block with help, until he was unable to do that.
"Grandpa Murphy", as he was known to all, was loved by all who knew him. He has been in poor health since in January, down in bed most of that time, but never complaining, and when asked how he was, except for a very few times, would say" I'm alright."
Funeral services were held at the Moon funeral Home in Howard, Saturday afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., Bro. Emmett E. Brown of Wichita conducting the services. Singing was furnished by a quartet from the Wichita Church of Christ. The pall beareres were his grandsons: Dalton Anderson, Topeka; Elvin Murphy, Manhattan; Edwin Murphy, Wichita; Emerald Riggs, Severy; Virgil Anderson and Geln Hastings, Howard.