Skip to main content

McMurphy family papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 326

Scope and Contents

The McMurphy family papers contains documents relating to the personal and professional lives of two generations of McMurphys in Rock Island County, Illinois, including legal documents, financial records, and correspondence. The papers are arranged into four series by individual family member: George Rodney McMurphy papers, 1829-1884; George W. McMurphy papers, 1843-1903; Edward M. McMurphy papers, 1866-1907; and Mary E. (Moody) McMurphy papers, 1856-1930; and a fifth series containing the papers of related families and miscellaneous materials.

The George Rodney McMurphy papers, 1829-1884 and undated, includes records of George Rodney's work as County Surveyor, County Drainage Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace for Rock Island County. Documents relating to the administration of several estates are also included, as well as his personal correspondence and financial records. The series also includes materials relating to Geoge R. McMurphy's daughter, Eunice T. [McMurphy] Luce.

The George W. McMurphy papers, 1843-1903, consists of records of his work as a surveyor and an estate administrator. His personal estate papers, financial records, and correspondence are also included, as well as materials relating to the George W. McMurphy's wife's family, the Hubbard family, and his son, Edward Hubbard McMurphy.

The Edward M. McMurphy papers, 1866-1907, consists of personal estate papers, financial records, mortgage and lease papers, correspondence, and other miscellaneous documents.

The Mary E. (Moody) McMurphy papers, 1856-1930 contains personal estate papers, financial records, correspondence, lease records, and other miscellaneous papers. The series also contains papers related to Mary E. McMurphy’s family, the Moody family.

The Miscellaneous series, 1836-1971 and undated, contains papers relating to the Mumma family and the Armil family, newspapers, and miscellaneous papers.

Dates

  • Creation: 1828-1971 and undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Members of the McMurphy family were important players in the settlement of Rock Island County, Illinois, in the early- to mid-19th century. George Rodney McMurphy, son of George McMurphy, was born in Rochester, New York, but his family moved to Rock Island County, Illinois, in 1832. He first made his living as a farmer on land north of Hampton, IL, later trading his farm for a grist mill at Hampton, which he operated until 1865. George R. McMurphy was one of the first county surveyors for Rock Island County, a position which he held from 1850-1866. During his lifetime, he also served as the Drainage Commissioner for Rock Island County, and a Justice of the Peace. He administered several estates, including those of his father, George McMurphy, Amos Welding, S.W. Twining, Charles Crowell, John T Howard, and Daniel W. Howard. George R. McMurphy had 10 children with his wife, Amanda Howard. He died of pneumonia on 22 April 1866.

George W. McMurphy was born on 24 February 1841, the second child of George R. and Amanda McMurphy. He was educated in an old brick school house in his district and grew up farming during the summer months. In 1866 he went into the milling business with his father. He purchased farm land with his younger brother, Edward, and they worked together until Edward bought his own farm in Zuma. After his brother's departure, George W. owned 480 acres of land in Canoe Creek. During his lifetime, George W. served as the town supervisor, school treasurer, and a Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the Woodman and Workman fraternal order and a member of the Methodist Church. George W. married Avelia Hubbard in 1869.

Edward M. McMurphy, son of George R. McMurphy, was born on 24 April 1843 in Hampton. He attended Hampton public schools and the Davenport business college, taking special interest in drawing and penmanship. As a young man, Edward M. served the community as a writing teacher. After two years working a farm with his brother, George W., he sold his portion of the farm to his brother and bought 220 acres of improved land in Zuma township. As he aged and his health began to fail, he moved to Moline, Illinois, but he continued to direct the operations of his farm. In 1900, Edward moved from his 5th Avenue residence in Moline back to the farm, where he lived until his death on 29 November 1906. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Mary Moody on 30 May 1872.

Extent

3.2 Cubic Feet (/ 7 boxes and 2 oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Members of the McMurphy family were important players in the settlement of Rock Island County, Illinois, in the early to mid-19th century. The McMurphy family papers contains documents relating to the personal and professional lives of two generations of McMurphys in Rock Island County, Illinois, including legal documents, financial records, and correspondence. The papers are arranged by individual family member in the following series: George Rodney McMurphy papers, 1828-1884; George W. McMurphy papers, 1843-1903; Edward M. McMurphy papers, 1866-1907; and Mary E. (Moody) McMurphy papers, 1856-1930. A fifth series contains the papers of related families and Miscellaneous materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Received from the Hampton (Ill.) Historical Society (date unknown).

Processing Information

Processed by Jessica C. Spinder, 2009. Updated by Samantha Crisp, July 2014 and Atticus Garrison, October 2015.

Title
McMurphy family papers, 1828-1971 and undated.
Status
Completed
Author
Atticus Garrison
Date
October 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States