The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-08-22


In this connection a brief sketch Of
the early settlement Of this vicinity and
the names Of those who were active
participants In that event, may prove
Interesting TO our readers;
The fret settlement Of the country
where Pennington now stands vas
made In 1901. According to history
Of the State edited by L. II. Barns
and published In 1877, Rev. William
Murphy, n baptist preacher and na.
tive Of Ireland, who lived at The time
In East Tennessee, procured In 1928
land grant, and in company with
bis son George and silas George,
came on here aud located claims,
They then started back homo. aud
Rev. VIM Murphy aud Silas George
died on the journey.
From data obtained from Ar. Frank
Ito Murphy Of DeLassus, the Oldest
representative OF the Murphy family
now living, we learn that David,
Dubart, William, john, and Richard
Murphy, sons ol key. William Muir
ply, came TO this county IN 1904.
Richard prepared home for bis
mother, Mrs. Sarah Murphy, on the
claim where Judge Vim. Carriers
residence now stands, and she and her
sons Isaac and Jesse came on here in
1903.
David Murphy located his claim
where J. II Wilde now lives, aud
cut the first tree in what Is known
rs the murphy Settlement" 10 1901.
The frs, clearing was made near
Fiemiug's spring, about where the
pobbins house stands, for turnif
palshaor David Murphy.
~Dubart Murphy, father Of Airs. kath
crime Evans and of Mrs. Isabella Long
who died February Il, 1900, settled
on what Is now known as the Evan
place, about Que mile east OF th'
Court House.
r William Murphy (knOwn as "Billl
the Good"), n son Of David Muir
ply aud the father Of Franklin Muir
, ply, now living at DeI.assus, and a
is mentioned above the oldest Twin;
! representative of the Murphy family
settled In what n now known as Hin
Addition to Pennington, jnst whcr
a viii Lang's water tank stands.
William Murphy settled what il not
known as the Hopkins place, abou
two miles south Of Pennington, d
1899.
The first church OF meeting house
west Of the Mississippi river was huiI
ID near the Masonic Cemetery, aud ih
/ a.s, sunday school was organized an
e taught In that house by "Grandma'
Sarah Murphy In about tho year lsOf
g Earlier settlements were made
% other parts OF the county, the fir
said to be At Big River Mills Gy job
Alley, Andrew Baker, Francis Sial
mater, John Andrews and their fan
.g lilies, together with three or four youn
men, who located claims in 1894, b,
did no, bring their families until l5yI
y In 1900 Nathaniel Cook located
claim Ia what is still known A. til
o Cook Settlement" near Libcrtyvilt
r. Soon after, In the same vicinity, Jas
r. Caldwell, VIM. Holmes, Jesse Blacl
"a we'll, Elliott jackson and James Day
~ located claims and made imProvt
ID ments.
st From 1908 TO 1910 settlement
Of we're made on Doe Run creek, FL
C River and at various points on the 5
&c Francois river by Squire Eleazcr Cha.
D. John Robinson, Isaac and John Bar
I. ham, Lcmuel llalsead, Ssmu
&c Rhodes, Solomon Jones and Ma
&c Dent.
30 December 10, 1921, year aft
ir MissOuri's admission as State, 5
,e Francois county was organized fro
to parts Of Ste. Genevieye, WashingtC
l. aud jefferson, and james Austin, &c
Q, McCiahan and James w. Smith we
n. appointed as = County Court 10y Go
| Alexander McNair, the first Govern
Nv of the State. The first session Of 4
r. court was held at the house OF Jes
~ Murphy April Isl, 1922, when til
&C appointed John ID. Peers Coun
be Clerk. The first Circuit Court W
w held at the same place and time, lilo
yc n. Is. Tucker, judge, and John
he Peers, clerk. Henry Poston, 10
or Andrews, VIM. Alexander and Jam
Il Iiolbert were appointed commissions
sc TO locate the county scat, and Da'
Murphy, September 90, 1922, donat
SO acres of land for that purpose,
which the Public Square OF Farmin
ton Is about the center, and the Cout
as Cont accepted the donation Februa