Son of Jesse and Sarah (Russell) Murphy.

Middle name shown as Davenport or F., but no solid evidence for either.

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The Evening Star, (Independence, KS), Fri., Apr. 8, 1904
BENJAMIN MURPHY
Mr. Benjamin Murphy died at 5:30 yesterday morning at his residence near Radical after several weeks illness with heart trouble which terminated in pneumonia. Mr. Murphy was one of the oldest settlers in Kansas.
He was born Feb. 14, 1834, in Illinois. In 1855 he was married in Illinois to Miss Sydney Tyner. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy came to Kansas before the Civil war, and settled in Coffey county where they lived until the close of the war.
When President Lincoln, called for men in 1861, Mr. Murphy enlisted in the 9th Kansas Volunteers and served three years. After the war, Mr. Murphy moved his family to Montgomery county and took up a claim upon which he had lived ever since. At that time Montgomery county was nearly a wilderness overrun with buffalo and Indians and it was then part of the Osage country.
In the early 70’s Mrs. Murphy died and several years later, Mr. Murphy was remarried to Mrs. Maria McCarney of Eureka, Kansas. During the war, he united with the U.B. church and was a very active church worker until advancing age compelled him to take a more quiet part in those affairs, but that did not diminish his interest or earnestness in things spiritual and when the "Solitary Reaper*' came, he was ready and waiting for the summons. Mr. Murphy was the father of twelve children of whom the following are living: Queenie, Wife of Henry Primmer of Colorado Springs; William L. of Labette county: Emma, wife of J. F. Hooper of Montgomery county; George Murphy of this city: Effie, wife of J. A. Carpenter of Bartlesville, I. T.; Jesse M. of Montgomery county; Ida, wife of Wm. McCloud of Pueblo, Colo; Mrs. Cora Newmaster of this county, and Earl who lives at home. Three others, Richard, Elnora and Maude died several years ago.
Mr. Murphy was one of the earliest settlers and pioneers in Kansas and one of the most highly respected citizens of this part of the state. He came here when there was scarcely anything but coyotes, buffalo and Indians and he is the fourth of the old settlers who have crossed the Great Divide within the last three weeks. The funeral took place this afternoon, the services were held at the late residence of the deceased. Rev. J. M. Mason officiating. The interment was in the cemetery near Radical under the escort of McPherson Post No. 4, G. A. R. who had charge of the services at the grave.
Transcribed by Bill Andres (47602571).