Born: Warren County, Kentucky, 1828.
Died: Abingdon, Illinois, 1860.
Came to Warren County in 1833. Became a Christian at the old Coldbrook Church at the close of 1840, and was formally ordained to the ministry in 1850. Was educated at Galesburg and Bethany College. Mr. Murphy and J. C. Reynolds opened an academy at Abingdon in 1853. By its efficiency the school quickly grew into popularity. This led to the beginning of Abingdon College in 1854. Mr. Murphy became its first president and filled the position most successfully till his early death. Meanwhile, he served the Abingdon Church as its pastor. He was a fine scholar, a good executive and a high type of Christian gentleman. His demise was an irreparable loss to the cause of Christian education in western Illinois.