Mrs. Zela M. Murphy, of Basin, is filling the position of county clerk in Bighorn county and her systematic work and efficiency have made her a most valuable incumbent in the office. Mrs. Murphy is a native of Sedalia, Missouri, and a daughter of Harlow A. and Maria L. (Linnabary) Longshore, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. In 1876 they removed westward to Missouri, where they lived for a year and later took up their abode in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The father was a ship contractor and died at Jacksonville, Florida, in the year 1896. The mother survived him for a long period and passed away on the 14^th of March, 1917. In their family were three children. Mrs. Zela M. Murphy, however, is today the only surviving member of the family.
    "She was reared and educated in.Paris, Illinois, where she attended the common schools, and later she had the benefit of instruction in a Chattanooga academy in Tennessee. In 1900 she came to Bighorn county, Wyoming, where she devoted her attention to the profession of teaching for one term. In 1901 she gave her hand in marriage to William W. Murphy, a native of Harrison county, Iowa, who had removed to Wyoming in 1898 and settled on a ranch near Lovell. Later he engaged in the insurance and real estate business at Lovell and eventually removed to Basin, where he is still engaged in the same line of business.
    It was in the year 1909 that Mrs. Murphy was elected county treasurer of Bighorn county and occupied that position for two terms. In 1914 she was elected county clerk, so that for a number of years she has been continuously in public office. Prior to her official service she acted as assistant cashier in a bank at Lovell for four years. She is a member of the Woman's Club of Wyoming, also has membership with the Royal Neighbors and Mr. Murphy is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. They are widely and favorably known in Basin, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mrs. Murphy's official record is indeed creditable and enviable, as is indicated by the fact that she has four times been chosen to public office here.