"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 502. Grant County. HENRY A. MURPHY Is the senior member of the Monument Mercantile Company, and it is very interesting to trace the career of this leading merchant and prominent citizen of Monument, since his has been a life of varied scenes and filled with the manifestation of energy and activity that have wrought out a very satisfactory success, and which mark him as possessed of abilities far above the average, while his integrity and uprightness are entirely commensurate with the display of capability in his business endeavors. Born in Bremer county, Iowa, on July 19, 1864, he was early taken by his parents, James and Mary (Buckmaster) Murphy, to Aurora, Missouri, whence, after a short residence, they went to Cherokee county, Kansas. When he was nine years of age another move was made, this time to Sipe Springs, Comanche county, Texas, his parents being among the first white families that settled in that county. The Indians were hostile, and their stay there was beset with many dangers from the, and finally, in 1881, they pulled up stakes and came overland to Walla Walla, using teams to cover the entire distance. The following summer they removed to Fox valley, and it was on the birthday of our subject, July 18, that they arrived. According to his report of the state of his exchequer at that time his assets were an Indian pony and $2.50 in cash. But young Murphy was possessed of plenty of courage and he immediately showed the blood of which he came by taking a position on the work that was being prosecuted by the citizens of Canyon City and John Day in constructing a road from Fox valley to Canyon City; the same road is to-day used by the mail carriers from Heppner to Canyon City. He carefully economized his earnings and saved every cent possible, and the result was that in a few years he had sufficient funds to purchase a band of horses, and in 1889 he embarked in raising horses. He followed this several years with excellent success and then on account of the hard riding that was injuring his health, he sold the entire band and opened a store in Monument. He built the first business building on the town site. Here he to-day is operating a first class general merchandise establishment, that is known for many miles in every direction. His stock is complete and well selected. At first he started in the venture with a small stock, purchasing largely from Minor, of Heppner, but to-day he is at the head of a large establishment. His trade is large and constantly increasing and the goods from his shelves and warehouses are found in distant portions of the adjacent county. He operates on the cash plan exclusively, thus being enabled to handle goods at a smaller margin and giving the benefit to his customers, an item that they are quick to take advantage of . The marriage of Mr. Murphy and Miss Vina A., daughter of Charles and Eliza (Ricker) Ballance, of Longcreek, was solemnized on April 22, 1888, and to gladden the happy union there have been born four children. Stella M., Lera, Florence M., Gladys D. Mr. Murphy is a member of the W. of W., and also of the Maccabees. Mr. Murphy's father was a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and later moved to Illinois, and then to Iowa, where he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and was with General Sherman in the memorable march to the sea. On account of sickness he was honorably discharged to return to the quieter walks of life. He was a member of the G.A.R. and died in Portland in 1898 and was buried in Fox valley. The mother is still living in Monument. Mr. Murphy owns a fine residence in the town of Monument and it is just to state that he enjoys in the fullest measure the confidence and respect of all of his townsmen and those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Since writing the above, on January 1, 1902, Mr. Murphy sold one-half of his mammoth business to J. H. Anderson and together they have bought all the general merchandise business in the town and the firm is known as the Monument Mercantile Company, and they do a thriving business and are representative business men. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.