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MURPHY, PATRICK (deceased), was long well and favorably known in Sangamon County. For years he was a farmer, but then became a railroad man, and in each capacity wielded a genial personal influence which made him beloved by all who were so fortunate as to be associated with him. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1841, a son of Thomas Murphy, a farmer, and was brought to the United States by his parents in 1843, when he was about two years old. The family settled near Chatham, on Sugar Creek, Sangamon County, Ill., where Mr. Murphy carried on farming, and where he and his wife died. Of the four sons and four daughters of Thomas Murphy only two daughters are now living: Mrs. Stacia McKelvey, of Springfield, Ill.; Mrs. Bridget Kelley is living in Kansas.
Patrick Murphy was educated in common schools in Sangamon County, and in his earlier years worked for his father on the home farm. Soon after the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in Company C, Tenth Illinois Cavalry at Springfield. He took part in much hard service, was in a good deal of spirited fighting, and served until mustered out at the end of the war, at San Antonio, Texas. His brother Michael was a member of the same company for the same period. Returning to Sangamon County, Patrick Murphy resumed farming. After his marriage he operated a farm near Buffalo two years, then became an employee of the Wabash Railway Company. In 1873 this service was begun, and it was continued till July 12, 1880, when he was accidentally killed. He was a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Murphy married Alice (Barregarye) Dwyer, at Springfield, in 1870. She was born in Ireland, November 25, 1843, a daughter of Edward Barregarye, who came from her native county, Tipperary, to the United States, setting at Buffalo, Ill., where the father died, and the mother died in Ireland. They had two sons and two daughters: Matthew, the surviving son, is a citizen of Springfield. Alice Barregarye married John Dwyer, at Springfield, in 1865. He was a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and died in 1869, leaving a widow and two daughters, one of whom, Miss Bridget Dwyer Murphy, is living. Mrs. Murphy bore her second husband five children, three of whom survive: Thomas Murphy, of Buffalo, foreman for the Illinois Traction System; James, of Evanston, Ill.; and Mary, a member of her mother's household.