Ellen M. E. Norris & John Hayes Murphy

The Idaho Republican - 10 January 1919

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Ellen Minerva Elizabeth Norris Murphy, 1852-1919

   Ellen Minerva E. Norris was born October 13, 1852 at Des Moines County, Iowa. Died at her home near Blackfoot, Idaho January 1, 1919 of heart trouble.  The deceased was a true faithful member of the Methodist Church which she joined when quite young.  She was always ready to lend a helping hand and was loved by all who knew her.    On September 12, 1872 she was united in marriage at her home in Numa, Iowa to John H. Murphy of Burlington, Iowa. To this union were born ten children, four of whom have gone on before.  Her husband and three children, J. Elbert, Nellie Roberts, and Brenice G. Queen were at her bedside at the time of her passing.  The others, Mrs. Carrie R. Rose, W. Ernest of California and Claude I., of Camp Funiston, Kansas. 

  In the year 1883 she moved with her husband and family to Osborne County, Kansas where they resided until 1901.  They then moved to Sheridan County, Kansas where they lived for fifteen years. They left that place in 1916 for California for her health. In 1917 they located near Blackfoot, Idaho where she resided until her death. 

John Hayes Murphy and Ellen Minerva Elizabeth Norris

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of this obituary to The Jerome Journal by Darren Totten of Longmont CO.

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The Daily Bulletin - Blackfoot ID - 26 September 1933

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John Hay Murphy, 1850-1933

  J. H. Murphey [sic] died at the family home west of Blackfoot this morning at 9:30 following a stroke of paralysis two weeks ago. He was born near Des Moines, Iowa in 1850, and has been a resident of this community since 1917. His wife died in January, 1919, and he is survived by three sons and three daughters, Mrs. W. R. Roberts, Mrs. L. J. Queen and Elbert Murphey [sic] of Blackfoot, and Claude and Ernest Murphyand Mrs. Pohn [sic] Rose of Riverside, California.

  Tentative arrangements for the funeral have been made for Thursday afternoon from the Methodist church.

Gravestone in the Grove City Cemetery, Blackfoot, Idaho

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of this obituary and the two photographs to The Jerome Journal by Debbie Hess Edward.

Wilma Buck Wright, 1935-2003

Southwest Daily Times [Liberal, KS] - 13 April 2003

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  Wilma Wright, 92, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Adel Acres Care Center in Adel, Iowa.

  She was born Sept. 30, 1910, to Clark and Sarah Isabell (Murphy) Buck in Putnam County, Miss. (sic).

  She married Wade B. (Sug) Wright on May 22, 1935. He died in October 1963.

  She was operator of Wright Hardware and John Deer Implement Store until 1969.

  She was a member of Seymour American Legion Auxiliary, past member of Seymour Community Club, and Iowa Retail Hardware Association.

  Her hobbies included cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

  Survivors include, her children, Roberta (Bobbie) Hart and husband, Jack, Liberal, William John Wright and wife, Evelyn, Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Pamela McElvain and husband Kenneth, Liberal, David Hart and wife, Nancy, Liberal, and Brian Hart, Kansas City, Miss. (sic); great-grandchildren, Brad McElvain and wife Stacey, Kansas City, Christi McElvain, Topeka, Jack T. and Adrea Hart, Liberal, and Bailey, Ian, and Mackenzie Hart, Kansas City; her aunt Vina Murphy, and numerous other relatives.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul Buck and wife, Lucille, and H. C. Simon Buck and wife, Esther (Het); and granddaughter-in-law, Jeanine Hart.

  Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour, Iowa, with the Pastor Vickie Steffes presiding.

  Burial will be at Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour.

  Friends may call beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour. The family will receive friends from 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday.

  Memorials are suggested to Seymour American Legion or Hospice of Central Iowa in care of Randolph Funeral Home, 112 Lee St., Seymour, IA 52590.

Lovina Leora Clark Murphy, 1901-2003

The San Diego Union-Tribune [CA] - 16 December 2003

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  Lovina Leora Clark Murphy, a resident of San Diego for the past 20 years, died December 10, 2003 at the age of 102, at Casa Palmera Care Center in Del Mar, Calif. Born April 19, 1901 in Putnam County, Missouri to Thomas Francis Clark and Utoka Williams Clark she was one of 10 children. In 1920, Vina was united in marriage to Bert Murphy of Putnam County, Missouri, who died in 1977. She lived most of her adult life in Seymour, Iowa and surrounding area. 

  She is survived by daughter Betty Mabee, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; son Donald C. Murphy and wife Nadine of Yuma, Ariz.; daughter Carol Ulrey and husband Charley of San Diego, Calif. and daughter Patricia Janz of Mancos, Colo. In addition she is survived by grandsons Larry Mabee of Rancho Sante Fe, Calif., Don Murphy and wife Jeri, Grove, Okla., James Murphy and wife Wendy, Fallbrook, Calif., Don Janz and wife Melissa of Mancos, Colo.; six great-granddaughters, five great-grandsons and a host of other relatives and friends who will mourn her passing.

  Visitation will be Friday, December 19, from 5-7 p.m. at the Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour, Iowa. Services at the same location on Saturday, December 20, at 10 a.m. followed by interment at Southlawn Cemetery, Seymour, Iowa. Contributions in lieu of flowers to Aseltine School, 4027 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92013. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com. 

Family Attends Rites For Charley Johnson

The Seymour Herald - 26 February 1953

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  Funeral services were in Omaha, Nebr., Monday afternoon for Charley Johnson, about 60, a former resident of Seymour. He was a brother of Albert Johnson of Seymour and a brother-in-law of Mrs. Bert Murphy and Hobart Clark.

  Clark, Mrs. Murphy and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson attended funeral services and returned home Monday evening.

  Johnson was an employee of the Roberts Dairy in Omaha, having been with the company 27 years.

Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen - Teacher

  Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen was born 26 February 1929 in Melrose Park (Chicago), Illinois, daughter of Bert Francis Murphy and Helen Melissa Smith, married at her family's farm 15 June 1947 Donald Richard Owen, died 9 March 2007, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.

Marilyn Murphy - Teacher at the Murphy School in 1946

Students at the Murphy School in 1946

First Row: Judy Beer, Larry Dove and Jerri Inman

Second Row: Richard Inman, Eleanor Rupalo

Back Row: Jim Beer, Bert Murphy, James Knapp

  Following her marriage to Donald R. Owen, Marilyn taught at the Lincoln School in Bellair Township, filling in for a teacher who was ill.  She and Donald lived in their trailer parked on her parents farm in Lincoln Township.  The next fall Marilyn and Donald moved to Iowa City where she taught in a country school outside of Iowa City.

Newspaper Clipping of  Lincoln School Students' 

Visit to the Iowegian

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution to The Jerome Journal of these pictures and clipping by Kelly Jerosch of Centerville, Virginia.  The Murphy School students were identified by Richard Inman of Hamilton, Ohio.  Bert Murphy of Bettendorf, Iowa, provided the background information.

Harriet Dyball Johnson Wilson, 1836-1914

  Harriet Dyball was born 23 June 1836 in Lincolnshire, England, daughter of Edward Dyball and Elizabeth Keel, died 20 April 1914 in Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa and was buried in the Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour.  Harriet married, first, on 5 June 1860 in England George Johnson who was born 10 May 1824 in England, died 1 April 1876 in Numa, Appanoose County, Iowa.  Nine children were born of this marriage, four dying in infancy and five growing to adulthood: (1) Ida Louise Johnson was born 5 June 1863 near Racine, Wisconsin, married on 13 October 1885 at her parents home in Numa, Iowa, Benjamin Alva Murphy, and died 22 February 1938 at her home near Numa, Iowa;  (2) Minnie S. Johnson was born c1864 in Wisconsin and married in Appanoose County, Iowa, c1883 Samuel Yarnell who was born c1862 in Illinois, son of Richard Yarnell and Emma Cooper; (3) Harris Longthorn Johnson was born 27 February 1867 at Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, married 22 September 1895 in Numa, Iowa, Celia Russell, died 2 March 1940 and was buried in the Numa Cemetery, Appanoose County, Iowa; (4) Laura Hattie Johnson was born 6 June 1871 in Appanoose County, Iowa, married 1 July 1891 Alexander Inman, died 22 April 1957 in Ardmore, Fall River, South Dakota, and was buried in Crawford Cemetery, Dawes County, Nebraska; and (5) Fred Johnson.  Harriet married second on 8 December 1882 M. M. Wilson who died 10 September 1910.  No children were born of this marriage.

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Obituary of Harriet Dyball Johnson Wilson

  Harriet Dyball was born June 23, 1836, in Framton, Lincolnshire, England and died April 20, 1914, at her home in Seymour, Iowa, being 77 years, 9 months and 27 days of age. June the 5th, 1860, she was married to George Johnson and on June 10th they sailed for America, settling near Racine, Wisconsin.

  In 1868 they came to Appanoose County, Iowa, settling at Bellair, which is now called Numa. Here she lived until three years ago when she moved to Seymour.

  To this union mentioned above there were born 9 children, 4 dying in infancy, the five living being Ida Murphy, Laura Inman and Harris Johnson of Numa and Minnie Yarnell and Fred Johnson of Seymour.

  On April 1st, 1876, Mr. Johnson died leaving his wife with a family of small children in a new country with no relatives. She nobly became master of this trying situation. She was married to M. M. Wilson, December 8, 1882.  To this union no children were born. Mr. Wilson died September 10, 1910.

  She united with the Christian church at Numa in December, 1872, and later brought her membership to the Seymour Christian church. In addition to her children she leaves 21 grand children, 2 great grandchildren, one brother, Robert Dyball and one sister, Mrs. E. D. Henderson both of Pasadena, Calif., together with a multitude of friends to mourn her loss.

  Mrs. Wilson has had a remarkable life.  She has had many trials together with her many joys. She has not only seen this section of the country develop but has had an important part in its development. She had an exalted ideal of womanhood and motherhood and lived her ideals. She believed in the usefulness of woman. Her faithfulness to the church was a dominant factor in her life. She held a life membership in the Christian's Womans Board of Missions. After her death her Bible was found open with her glasses near by where she had been reading only a short time previous.

  Funeral Services were held at the Christian Church on Wednesday, April 22, 1914, at 1:30 p.m. conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. O. Hawley, assisted by Rev. C. E. Burton.  Internment in Southlawn.

          "Fold her, O Father, in thine arms

            and let her henceforth be

            a messenger of love between

            Our human hearts and Thee.

            Still let her mild rebuking stand

            Between us and the wrong,

            And her dear memory serve to make

            Our faith in goodness strong." 

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  Transcribed from Soldiers Buried in Appanoose County, Iowa Before World War II and Some Obituaries of Early Settlerscompiled by Osee Johnson Knouf [S.I. Daughters of the American Revolution, La-Grange-Illinois Society, 1977] on FHL Film #1703828, Item #3 [Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990].

Ida Louisa Johnson Murphy, 1863-1938

  Ida Louisa Johnson, daughter of George and Harriet Johnson, was born near Racine, Wis., on June 5, 1863, and departed this life at her home near Numa, Iowa, Feb. 22, 1938, at the age of 74 years, 8 months and 17 days.

  On October 13, 1885, she was united in marriage to Benjamin Alva Murphy at her parents home in Numa, Iowa. To this union five children were born, four of whom survive her passing. One son, Addison Alva, passed away at the age of six months. The surviving children are: Fred, at home, Gale at Centerville, Iowa, and Bert of Maywood, Illinois. Her husband preceded her in death on June 3, 1932. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Marylin [Marilyn] and Bert of Maywood, Illinois, and two brothers and one sister, Harris Johnson of Numa, and Fred of Puente, Calif., and Mrs. Laura Inman of Ardmore, S. D.  Following her marriage she and her husband moved to the farm where she lived her entire married life of nearly 53 years. 

  During the past few years she has been in failing health, but her last illness dates back to Thanksgiving day of last year. 

  She has been almost a life-time member of the Methodist church of Numa. But she enjoyed the Christian fellowship of people of other denominations. When her family was at home, they often attended other churches and for years attended the Christian Bible school of Numa. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters as long as it was active in Numa.

  Mrs. Murphy was a woman of fine character, a kind neighbor and loving mother. Funeral services were held at the M. E. church at Numa and burial in the Numa cemetery.

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  Transcribed from Soldiers Buried in Appanoose County, Iowa Before World War II and Some Obituaries of Early Settlers compiled by Osee Johnson Knouf [S.I. Daughters of the American Revolution, La-Grange-Illinois Society, 1977] on FHL Film #1703828, Item #3 [Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990].

Obituary: Alta M. Harsh Seals

Daily Iowegian - 20 January 1995

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  Alta M. Seals, 85, of Boonville, Mo., formerly of Centerville died Thursday, Jan. 19, 1995, at the Colony Garden Nursing Home in Boonville.

  She was born Dec. 30, 1909, in Ringgold County, the daughter of Claude and Edith (Clayton) Harsh. 

  She married Harry (Otis) Seals May 6, 1934, near Exline. He preceded her in death June 12, 1982.

  Survivors include two sons, Richard Seals of Boonville, Mo., and Norman Seals of Aberdeen, Wash.; three grandchildren; and two sisters, Wilma Taylor of Bloomfield and Viola McWilliams of Bettendorf.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and three sisters, Neva Parcel, Ada Harsh and Gladys Parcel.

  She was a cook and housekeeper for a nursing home and a homemaker.  She was a member of the Methodist Church.

  Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Lange Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Mystic.  An open visitation will be held.

  A memorial to the Jerome Methodist Church has been established and may be left at the funeral home. 

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  Mildred Dooley Cathcart in her column, Visiting with Neighbors, wrote on 27 January 1995:

  We were sorry to learn of the death of Alta Seals last week. She and Otis and their sons lived on a farm east of Jerome for several years.  The house had been formerly occupied by Edith and Harry Stickler and now the Byron Felkners own the farm.  Alta became a member of the club and was a faithful member and very seldom missed a meeting.  I remember when she lived east of town, she often made huge, fluffy donuts for part of her club refreshments.

  About two and a half years ago Alta could no longer live alone so her son, Richard, took her to a care center in Boonsville (sic), Mo., to be near him and his family.  Sue worked at the care center so Alta was not among strangers.  When Alta was able to enjoy mail, we would bring a card when we had our monthly meeting and we would write a little note to Alta and we would remember her birthdays and holidays.  She was a kind, caring person and her family and friends will miss her.

  Alta's funeral was not until 3:30 Saturday and then the burial was at Highland Cemetery in Mystic.  I don't think there is any place more dreary and miserable than a cemetery in bad weather.  It can be the coldest place in winter and the hottest in summer.

  Patty and Bert Murphy were at Alta's funeral and I was happy to have a short visit with them. They are a striking looking couple.  Bertie lamented to me that he would be 60 years old on his birthday.  I told him to wait until he is my age and he would think just being 60 was like being a spring chicken. He and Patty have a granddaughter name Rachel, too.  They enjoyed a visit back east and thoroughly enjoyed being let alone with complete charge of the little girl. 

Children of Sam & Vera Owen

  Written by Dorothy Owen, the historian and keeper of memories of the Samuel J. and Vera Owen family and the first and only daughter in the family of six children: Dorothy, Thomas, Hobart, Richard and Kenneth.

  These children were second generation descendants of the early settlers of this county.  Whatever their destinies as such might have been they were greatly modified by unforeseen events.  They came to maturity in the midst of the Great Depression; which was soon followed by World War II; which was followed by a developing economy which seemed to go crazy with inflation and exploitation.  Here is a brief summary of what happened to these "Sons (and a daughter) of the Pioneers."

  Dorothy L. taught in Centerville Schools for 8 years, and at Iowa Wesleyan College, 4 years; served in WAVES, of the Navy; "for the duration" (World War II); and has been Librarian at Drake Public Library, Centerville, the past 28 years.

  Thomas S. chose a career in Agriculture, specializing in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition. He also served in the Navy -- as navigator on a "flag plane" -- attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. Late in life he married Ethel Allen Villon.

  Hobart S. became an industrail engineer (one of their first ones) with a subsidiary of U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana. He married Kathryn Frogge and they have 5 children: Stanley, Judy, Linda, Thomas, and Pam.

  Richard E. enlisted in the Naval Air Force, and was plane Captain of a PBM (patrol bomber) "for the duration" (World War II). He married Carolyn Cook and they have 3 children: Samuel J., Kenneth C., and Jean. Living in Glenwood, Ia. he became a Real Estate Agent, a Contractor, and now a Restaurateur.

  Kenneth E. married Frances Hamm.  They have 2 children: Keith and Diana.  After the death of his father (Samuel J.) he became operator, and later owner, of the "home farm." He has also followed his father in community and public interests -- serving 3 terms in the State House of Representatives (1955-60), and one term as State Secretary of Agriculture (1965-66).  Since then he was been prime promoter and finally first Executive Director of the Rathbun Regional Water Association.

  Donald R. was also in the Navy "for the duration" (WWII); he became an electronics engineer; married Marilyn Murphy; they have 2 children: Paula Gale and Kelly. After some years in electronics with Magnavox, Spartan, and RCA he spent 18 years with Communications Satellite Corporation in various executive positions -- traveling over 2,000,000 miles to bring satellite communications to developing countries. They live in Fairfax, Virginia.

  All are still living, except Thomas S., who died in 1972. Dorothy L. and Kenneth E. are the only ones remaining in this county.  Kenneth has four grandchildren to carry on the line.

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  Text transcribed with permission from the Appanoose County Historical Society from Appanoose County Iowa, written by the people of Appanoose County, compiled in 1984-1985 by the Appanoose County Historical Society, and printed by Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas (1986).  

Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen, 1929-2007

Daily Iowegian - 25 April 2007

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  Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen, age 78, died peacefully at her home on Friday, March 9, 2007 from a brain tumor.

  Marilyn was born in Melrose Park (Chicago), Illinois to Bert Francis and Helen Melissa (Smith) Murphy on February 20, 1929.  She was a talented tap dancer and singer, performing publicly at a very young age.  In 1944 her family moved from Chicago to the family farm just west of Centerville.  Marilyn attended Centerville High where she trained to become a teacher and was active in the performing arts.  After graduating, she taught at the Murphy School, a one-room

schoolhouse (Appanoose County) and later at Hills (Iowa City).

  On June 15, 1947, Marilyn Murphy married Donald Robert Owen at the Murphy farm.  Through Don's career as an electrical engineer, they lived in several Midwest and East Coast cities including the Philadelphia area where Marilyn, a gifted artist, studied oil painting at the Sanski Studio.  Marilyn and Don settled in 1966 in the Washington, D.C., area where Don worked at COMSAT as an executive in satellite communications.  While Don traveled on business to almost every country in the world, Marilyn raised their two daughters and led a large Girl Scout troop.  Marilyn enjoyed accom-panying Don on several of his international travels.  After Don's death in 1992, Marilyn studied watercolor under Jean Gill.  In recent years, her love of art inspired her to travel to Paris and Germany.

  Marilyn is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Paula and William Franks of McLean, Va., and Kelly and Thomas Jerosch of Centerville, Va., as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Bert and Pat Murphy of Bettendorf and several nieces and nephews.

  Her parents, aunts, uncles and a niece, Diana Owen Glenn, preceded her in death.

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery of

Donald Robert Owen and Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution to The Jerome Journal by Richard Inman of Hamilton, Ohio, of the obituary of Marilyn Etta Murphy Owen.