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The following record was taken from an old German Bible that belonged to the Jacob Murphy family and later in the possession of a niece Mrs. Kitty Buell.

Jacob Murphy

Who was the Great Grandfather of Charles G. Murphy, George F. Murphy and Alice Murphy Keifer. Was born somewhere in Ireland on January 1, 1797. When he was two and one half years old his parents set sail for America. His parents both died with a fever while on the boat and were both buried at sea. Jacob reached America and somehow fell into the hands of a German family in PA presumably in or near Perry Co. He married a German girl by the name of Mary Tiesdel. Two children were born to them. Rev. William N. Murphy (Grandpa) and Anna Murphy Shafer. His wife died and there was a second marriage. Twelve children were born, namely, Jane, Elizabeth, John, Henry, Jacob, Margaret, Samuel, Mary Ellen, Sarah Ann, David Alexander, Josiale, and Matilda. He died in 1886 at the age of 89 years at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Ann Coleton.

Rev. William N. Murphy

Was born Aug. 28, 1821 in Perry Co., PA. He married Nancy S. Topley who was born 1819 in Perry Co., PA. Three children were born, John A. Murphy, Franklin G. Murphy and Mary Elizabeth Murphy (Fenstermaker.) They came to Ohio in 1855 and settled on a farm in Champion Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio. They operated a saw mill in Champion about 3 miles north of Warren. It was while he was engaged in this business that he had a part of one hand taken off with a saw. Later he went into the ministry and served as an Iterant Minister in the United Brethren Church until his health failed. He was sick for a long time suffering from a growth between the stomach and bowels. It was during this illness that his wife was taken ill with pneumonia and died at their home on Nov. 27, 1883. William was taken to the home of son Franklin (father). He died Jan. 7, 1884.

The only known relatives of Nancy Murphy was a brother Absolem and a sister Sarah who married Joe Landis. They are all buried in the Champion Cemetery. William Murphy and his wife reared a girl with the name of Sada. She married Daniel Wortman. She died on Jan. 7, 1937 and is buried in Warren Cemetary.

William Murphy was 61 years, 4 months, 10 days

Nancy Murphy was 63 years, 6 months, 27 days

Franklin Gibson Murphy

Youngest son of Rev. William and Nancy Topley Murphy

Was the youngest son of Rev. William and Nancy Topley Murphy. Was born in Perry Co., PA, on May 28, 1846. He came to Ohio with his parents when he was 9 years of age. He, with his father, was engaged in the saw mill work. Later he took up farming and was a successful farmer as long has his health would permit. He married Nancy Delilah Klingensmith on March 4, 1866. Six children were born:Franklin Gibson MurphyNancy Delilah Klingensmith Murphy

   Franklin Murphy spent all of his life except for the first nine years in Champion, Bazetta and Warren Townships, all in Trumbull Co., Ohio. He died on April 9, 1932. The death was caused by infirmities and hardening of arteries. His wife Nancy Delilah died on Dec. 4, 1934 at the age of 89 years, 10 months, and both died at the home of their daughter Lillie Alice Keifer in Warren, OH. Both were buried in their family lot at Hillside Cemetery, near Cortland, OH.

John A. Murphy

Oldest son of Rev. William and Nancy Topley Murphy

Was born in Perry Co., PA on Dec. 10, 1842. He came to Ohio with his parents and settled on a farm in Champion Township, Trumbull Co., OH. He was engaged in the saw mill work with his father and brother, Franklin. He enlisted for service in the Civil War on August 11, 1862. Was a member of Company B., 105 Regiment, O.V.I. He was wounded during the battle of Chickamauga, which took place on Sept. 19 and 20, 1863. He was in the act of shooting, when he was hit with a bullet which pierced through his left lung just over his heart and through and out on the right side of the back bone. He lay upon the battlefield for five or seven days without care. Finally permission was granted to gather up the wounded. He recovered sufficiently to return to the battle front and remained until the end of the war. He returned home in June 1865. (Discharged on June 3, 1865.) On October 16, 1868 he married Sarah Packard. There were no children. He died at his home in Champion (from pneumonia) on March 7, 1874. He is buried in Champion Cemetery, Trumbull Co.

Poem by W. J. Shafer

In Sixty one and Sixty two,
Our army boys were dressed in Blue.
They did not have a drilling stunt
But went straight to the battle front.
No breast works then to fight behind,
This was in Sherman's army mind.
But right to the front we did go,
In open field to meet the foe.
No red cross nurses had we there,
When we were sick to give us care,
There was no Y.M.C.A. then
To give aid to the wounded men.

Mary Elizabeth Murphy (Fenstermaker)

Daughter of Rev. William and Nancy Topley Murphy

Was born in Perry Co, PA on Jan. 1, 1844. She married George Fenstermaker. Seven children were born:

Died July 12, 1922 Buried at West Farmington

Jacob Klingensmith

Was the son of John Andrew and Susana Klingensmith. Was born Sept. 20, 1818 in Westmoreland Co, PA. Married Margaret-Ann Cline about the year, 1843 or 1844. Three children were born:

He died Nov. 5, 1871 at the age of 53 years. Buried at Hillside Cemetery, Cortland, OH.

Margaret-Ann Cline Klingensmith

Daughter of Katherine and Henry Cline. Born in Westmoreland Co., PA on May 1, 1818. Died on April 11, 1890. Buried at Hillside Cemetery, Cortland, OH.

This information was gathered by Alice Murphy Keifer and is the best record that could be obtained.

Warren, Ohio Flood - Jan. 1960

More family photos and information forthcoming....

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