JOHN P. MURPHY, of the firm of Murphy & Co., proprietors of the Camden Roller Mills, at Camden, Illinois, has been a resident of Schuyler county since 1886, born in East Tennessee, August 18, 1833, being a son of William L. and Matilda (Hill) Murphy, natives of Virginia and North Carolina. William's father was a native of Scotland and came to the United States, settling in Virginia. He was a merchant of Richmond, Virginia. William, born in 1805, went to Sullivan county, Tennessee, when a young man, and there married, and still resides there, a farmer. His wife is deceased. They had nine children: Preston W., John, Robert E., William B., David W., James J., Martha Josephine, Mary and Caroline.

John was reared on a farm and received a limited education. When he grew up he learned the trade of a blacksmith. When the war broke out he was exempted from serving, although he was conscripted. He worked for the Confederate Government at his trade at Knoxville. When Burnside captured the city John remained with the Union forces. In March, 1864, he engaged as engineer in a mill. In 1868 he returned to East Tennessee and worked as engineer for four years. In 1872, he returned to Brown county, and continued his trade until 1886, when he came to Camden and purchased the Camden Roller Mills. He made many improvements, putting in the newest machinery, and has made it one of the finest mills of its kind in the vicinity. He has a flour, feed and exchange at Mount Sterling.

He was married to Flora Gault, who was born in East Tennessee, a daughter of Robert Gault. She had one child, deceased. She died at Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Murphy was married at Mount Sterling, to Mivina M. Black, daughter of Judge Samuel Black. He is a Democrat in politics, but takes very little interest in such matters. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Hardin Lodge, A.F.&A.M., No. 44, and also Chaplain of the R.A.M. at Mount Sterling, of which he was a prominent member for many years. He is also a member of Unity Lodge, No. 310, I.O.O.F., and has passed all the chairs in the same.