Murphy, William C.

Flourished: Perry County, Illinois

Alternate name: Murphey

William C. Murphy migrated with his family from Tennessee to Illinois in 1818, settling in an area that would become Perry County. When Perry County became a county in 1827, William won election as sheriff, a position he held until 1837. He received appointment as agent to make the land entry for a county seat. During the Black Hawk War, he was severely wounded at the Battle of Bad Axe. Murphy was doorkeeper for the Illinois House of Representatives, 1832-36 and 1838-44, and sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, 1844-46. In 1835, he became the guardian of the infant heirs of Robert B. Murphy. In 1850, Murphy was farming in Perry County and owned real estate valued at $5,000.

Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties, Illinois (Philadelphia: J. L. McDonough, 1883), 163-64, 166-68, 179, 188, 267, 344; James A. Rose, comp., Blue Book of the State of Illinois (Danville, IL: Illinois Printing, 1911), 249-50, 253, 254, 256, 257; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), District 7, Perry County, IL, 401; An Act to Authorize William C. Murphey, Guardian of the Infant Heirs of Robert B. Murphey, Deceased, to Convey Certain Lands.