James Thompson Murphy was born in 1835, Illinois.^1,2 He was the son of John Ecles Murphy and Frances Mary Wright "Franky" Doughty.
     James Thompson Murphy married Marth Jane Whitman, daughter of Squire Stoten Whitman, in.³
     James Thompson Murphy appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of in District 26, Warren, Illinois in the household of his parents, John Ecles Murphy and Frances Mary Wright Murphy.² James Thompson Murphy listed as a witness to the marriage of Preston E Doughty and Amanda S. Kramer on 24 June 1857 in Polk County, Oregon.^4,5
     James Thompson Murphy died on 27 November 1923 in Salem, Marion, Oregon.^6,7

     Jesse Murphy was the son of William Murphy and Sarah Barton. Jesse Murphy.¹

     John Bunyan Murphy was born on 2 January 1829.¹ He was the son of Rev John Murphy Jr and Nancy Lamb.
     John Bunyan Murphy died between 6 August 1860 and 14 July 1861.¹

     John Ecles Murphy was born on 16 October 1806 Barren County, Kentucky.^2,3,4,5 He was the son of William Murphy and Nancy Ferguson.¹
     On 22 March 1827, John Ecles Murphy married Frances Mary Wright "Franky" Doughty, daughter of Preston Holcomb Doughty and Nancy Wright, in Bowling, Warren County, Kentucky. The ceremony was witnessed by Elijah Davidson.^5,1,3,4,6,7
     John Ecles Murphy and Frances Mary Wright Murphy appeared on the 1850 Federal Census in District 26, Warren, Illinois, enumerated 6 September 1850, reporting John's occupation as a Christian Preacher. Their children William Preston, Elizabeth Francis, Henderson Warren, James Thompson, Preston Holcombe, Nancy Angeline, Mary A. and Sarah Ann were listed as living with them, as well as John's mother, Nancy Murphy.⁸ John was a Minister of Monmouth's Christian Church; John Ecles preached in Illinois for several years before moving to Oregon in 1852 and continued to preach in Oregon for nearly a quarter-century. John was prominent in the establishing of Monmouth University and Monmouth Church. He was a member of the board of trustees of Monmouth University and later Christian Church. First Minister of the Christian Church between 1852 and 1876 in in Independence, Polk, Oregon.^2,3,4,9 John came to Oregon 28 Aug 1852 with the Murphy Wagon Train, he was an abolitionist, he opposed slavery and released slaves. He is considered one of the Founders of Western Oregon University

Founders of Western Oregon University

Eleven individuals signed the charter creating Monmouth University on January 18, 1856 and are officially recognized as the founders of Western Oregon University. A plaque honoring them and other early pioneer families who were instrumental in establishing the University hangs in the lobby of Campbell Hall.

The founders' names are:
Reuben Boise
Hezekiah Burford
Ira F.M. Butler
Thomas Hutchinson
David R. Lewis
Thomas H. Lucas
William Mason
John E. Murphy
Samuel Simmons
John B. Smith
Squire S. Whitman


- Donation Land Claim #246 T9S R5W secs 31, 30, 29, 32, at Airlie settled land claim on 13 Oct 1853.²

     Rev John E Murphy officiated at the wedding of Preston E Doughty and Amanda S. Kramer on 24 June 1857 in Polk County, Oregon. James Thompson Murphy witnessed the ceremony.^10,11
     John Ecles Murphy and Frances Mary Wright Murphy appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Independence, Polk, Oregon, enumerated 2 August 1860, reporting John's occupation as a Preacher. Their children Preston Holcombe, Mary A., Sarah Ann, Emma and Ellen were listed as living with them.⁹
     John Ecles Murphy and Frances Mary Wright Murphy appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Independence, Polk, Oregon, enumerated 2 July 1870, reporting John's occupation as a Farmer. Their children Preston Holcombe, Emma and Albert were listed as living with them.¹²
     John Ecles Murphy died on 7 May 1876 in Oregon at the age of 69.^13,14,15,2,3
     John was buried circa 9 May 1876 in the Fircrest Cemetery, located in Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon .^15,2,3

     John Fouquoy Murphy was born on 12 June 1752 Halifax County, Virginia.^2,3,4,1 He was the son of William Murphy and Margaret Hodge.¹ John was a Baptist Preacher.¹
     On 8 February 1774, John Fouquoy Murphy married Rachel Cook, daughter of William Cook Jr and Margaret Green, in Pittsylvania County County, Virginia.^2,4,1
     John and Rachel migrated to Knox County, Tennessee.¹
     John and Rachel migrated to Green County, Kentucky.¹
     John Fouquoy Murphy died on 14 August 1818 in Warren County, Kentucky, at the age of 66. Or Green County Kentucky.^2,3,4,1