Murphy

Moses Murphy

            According to his gravestone, Moses Murphy was a native of County Wexford, Ireland.  He was born about 24 December 1831.  He had two brothers, Michael and Martin, who lived in Le Sueur County.

            Moses married Mary Ellen Shea, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Sullivan Shea.

They were married in New York State.  No record has been found of the marriage.  They appear in the 1860 New York census in Easton Township, Washington County.  Ellen Shea is living with them, as well as the children, Mary Ellen and Hannah.  According to the 1860 census, Moses owned land with the value of $1900.

            The children of Moses and Mary Ellen were:  Mary Ellen 1858-1944, Hannah 1860-1944, Elizabeth 1862-1944, Catherine 1864-1933, Bridget 1865-?, John 1868-1874, Thomas 1870-1892, Agnes 1872-1948 and Cecelia 1875-1958.

            Moses owned land in section 19 of Derrynane Township and sections 18 & 20 of Tyrone Township.  He was active in the Democratic Party and served as a delegate to a convention.

            He died 18 May 1887 in Tyrone Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota and was married in St. Thomas Cemetery, St. Thomas.

            His sons John and Thomas died without marrying.  Mary Ellen married Cornelius Kilduff.   Elizabeth married Joseph Greene.  Catherine married John Joseph Cullen.  Bridget married Daniel Hickey.  Agnes married James O’Neill.  Cecelia wed Thomas Weldon.  My ancestor Hannah married Patrick T. Burns.

            Moses’ wife, Mary Ellen Shea died 15 Jan 1920 in St. Thomas and was buried in the St. Thomas Cemetery.

            Both of Moses’ brothers married.  Michael married Mary E. Thornton, daughter of Ann Mora and John Thornton.  They were married on 9 Nov 1870, St. Thomas.  The records appear in the Sacred Heart Church records, Belle Plaine.  His brother Martin was a witness to the marriage.  Michael and Mary had five children:  John 1871-?, Thomas 1873-?, Moses 1873-1873, James H. 1875-1940, and Mary Ann 1877-?. 

            Michael was born about 1838 in Co. Wexford, Ireland and died 23 March 1878 in Tyrone Township, Le Sueur County.  His wife, Mary Ellen later married Michael Lavery.  She died in 1919 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Kilkenny, Minnesota.

            Martin was described in a news account as Moses’ youngest brother.  He married Mary McCourtney, daughter of Michael, on 13 November 1870.  They had a child, but it died young, as did his wife.  He didn’t remarry.  He was employed at a saloon in Minneapolis and died there.  He was brought back to St. Thomas to be buried.

   Moses Murphy Family        Murphy Album

O'Connell    Doherty    Hetherston    Burns     Sullivan-Shea    Sheehan-Whalen   Hogan    Galvin